Will switching to Vegeterian help me with Martial Arts?

Question

I've noticed that many Martial artist prefer that people eat meat. Meat makes me tired when I fight. But I need alot of leg strength. lots and lots of protein.

Answer 1

Just eating better in general will help.
Doing more cross training will help more.
Endurance training such as bicycle racing or running will further improve.
Eating vegetarian will improve on that.
Eating vegan will improve more.

I know, I've done it. The whole reason I became vegan was a progression of training and altering my food for performance. I didn't decide to become vegan (never even heard of the word) it was just a natural progression of trying to eat in such a way that would give me best performance. I studied a lot and experimented a lot. One may or may not notice an immediate difference; perhaps even a decline before an increase. I won't go into details, but yes, vegan lifestyle is for athletes. Just look at world records, olympic winners, well... there are whole websites dedicated to such things.

I also do martial arts (10 years now), but started 10 years after becoming vegan.

Answer 2

This is a personal question. In other words you will have to make this decision yourself. I do understand that you are at a crossroads. I hope this puts you at ease. Most karate schools will not deny your rank in TKD. You most likely will be honored as a black belt, but the difference is that you will need to learn the small differences of your new school and learn the different katas. You will find that you should be able to advance at a faster rate than a person with little or no martial experience. The differences between karate in tkd are minimum. Example: We teach kicks to the head. But we don't usually recommend it. We often prefer a low kick. To us it is more effective and practical. It is much harder to defend and we have maximum power. The higher you kick you lose power and balance. You also leave yourself more open to counters and attacks. Edit: Again I repeat it is a matter of preference. You have to make a choice on what you would like to learn. It should be based upon my prejudice. I have no intentions of telling you that karate is better than tkd or that tkd is better than karate. There is no best art! Sorry you bjj and Krav Maga people. Well I'm really not sorry but I don't mean to offend anyone. I hope you base your opinion on what you desire and not the opinion of others. We all have our opinions. That doesn't make it right. I plan to continue my Shorin Ryu karate and jujitsu, but I'm thinking of adding aikido. The reason I'm choosing Aikido over Hapkido is a very small reason. I am just trying to stay with the Japanese arts. I have a thirst for knowledge. Who knows that may change one day and I may decide to learn an art from a different culture. That probably will happen. Good luck.

Answer 3

I am not sure diet has anything to do with Martial Arts. It is the talent and the passion for the art that makes a person good. Nevertheless a Vegetarian diet is for sure a healthier choice. The body has a hard time digesting meat because the human body is not designed to digest meat. You can see a nutritionist and have them help you follow a balanced diet. You can get protein from beans, Tofu, pasta, Veggie burger...There are plenty of excellent protein bars and shakes too you can take before your practice. Do not forget that many world class athletes are Vegetarian/Vegan such as Carl Lewis.
Good Luck

Answer 4

I don't think there's a correlation between martial arts and diet.
The key is proper diet - getting all the nutrients you need for your body whether it be a vegetarian diet or a non-veg diet. Maybe the key is to avoid high fat food before a match.

In terms of martial arts, skill comes from training, being adaptable and some parts natural ability.

If you're getting tired when you fight... isn't that natural?
What are you doing for conditioning? Cardio? Weights?
Any? All?

Answer 5

Perfect practice makes a good Martial Artist. That is what I have always been told. I have been in the Martial Arts for 25 years.
Good Luck

Answer 6

Red meat is harder for your body to digest yet has a lot of protein, chicken and fish still have protein but will "weigh you down less" and give you energy. Also work on your stamina and that will help with you endurance as far as leg strength goes.

Answer 7

I've heard that vegetarians have better stamina, the Guinness world record holder for most consecutive sit ups (17,003) was a vegetarian. There is a score of other famous athletes who were vegetarians. Protein actually doesn't help energy and you can get plenty of protein without meat.

Answer 8

My brother went to Korea and studied Tae Kwon Do, and is a vegan. He says he has never felt better, and has plenty of energy.

You see, meat, especially turkey, has a natural sugar that is very "strong". It makes you sleepy, and tired (which is why many people sleep right after the Thanksgiving and/or Christmas meal. They eat lots of meat).

Also, you could feel tired when you eat meat because you might not like the feeling of cholesterol clogging up your arteries.

Here are some popular vegans:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_Danzig (a martial artist!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Jurek
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Lewis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Brock
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Templeton

I hope that helps!

Answer 9

It depends on your body. Some of us need meat with the protien and iron that it has, whereas some fare better on a vegetarian diet. Do what makes you feel the best and perform the best. PLEASE don't let anyone try to talk you into their OWN lifestyle, just because it works for THEM.

Answer 10

well if you switch to being a vegeterian you wont get all the vitamins you need... so just eat a normal diet, don't only eat meat eat other healthy foods