Every December 31st, I try to come up with a New Year’s resolution with the goal of self-improvement in mind. For the past few years, I have vowed to be more organized and to stop tracking wet footprints throughout the kitchen and bathroom; resolutions that I have been only slightly successful in keeping. I think that the fundamental problem behind my New Year’s resolution issue is that I am only half-heartedly invested in my declaration. Other than a desire to avoid annoying roommates with my water tracking problem and the realization that the taxation process would be easier without sorting through stacks of papers, there really is no driving force behind these resolutions.
What if I could come up with a viable resolution with a more compelling force behind it? It is in this vein that I decided to come up with an Earth Day-inspired resolution earlier this month and I vowed to eat in a more sustainable way.
As I already tend to eat whole, minimally processed, organic foods, I feel that the easiest way to accomplish this goal is to incorporate more vegan meals into my diet. Since the production of dairy and meat products is quite energy-intensive and produces waste, eating more fruits, vegetables and nuts is more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, there is an added health benefit because a vegan diet, while hardly low-calorie, is very filling and will help me lean down a bit for the race season (my brother just lost 5 lbs on a month-long vegan diet). Vegan foods also tend to be waaaaaaay cheaper, especially when in an unprocessed state. Just think of it as more money to spend on racing!
Through my adventures in occasional veganism, I’ve picked up a few lessons that I’ll share:
Turn to international fare for meals. Some of my favorite vegan dinners rely heavily on spices and beans. Try out a vegetarian Harira, a lemon and herb-infused, chickpea and lentil soup typically eaten during Ramadan. Indian dishes, such as dal and chana masala (omit the ghee), are both delicious and filling. And hummus is one of the greatest foods of all time.
Treat soy products as soy products. I’ve always been wary of soy masquerading as meat or animal products. Tofu and tempeh are great when treated with the respect that they deserve. Avoid the highly processed Tofu “hot dogs” or “cold cuts” and don’t make frosting out of tofu (I made that mistake last night and the memory makes me a bit queasy still)!
Get out of the protein-centric mindset. I know many athletes who have just barely progressed from the steak-and-egg breakfast mentality of the 1950s. Yes, we need protein, but you don’t need meat to meet your protein requirements. Swap your bread for sprouted grain products, introduce more nuts (especially nut butters!) and use a bit of hemp protein in your post-workout shake. You’ll be amazed how quickly the grams of protein add up!
Save the bean-centric meals for after training. Yes, beans are hard to digest and can cause some discomfort when running. I find that chickpeas and lentils are easier to process, but I still leave them for dinnertime.
Remember your multi-vitamin and iron supplements. Just in case…
Veganism is, quite frankly, not for everyone. I would, however, encourage everyone to incorporate more animal-free meals into your routine. They can be tasty, I promise!
I hope that more people start making Earth Day Resolutions. In my experience, with a greater purpose behind them than just “self-improvement,” it is easier and more rewarding to keep than a New Year’s resolution!
May 5th, 2009 
Posted by
Bruce in
