vegetarian diet

A well-balanced vegetarian diet does not impair endurance capacity or physical fitness. However, vegetarian athletes should be aware that vegetable nonhaem iron is less readily absorbed than animal haem iron, and that a high fibre diet may reduce the absorption of some essential nutrients such as iron and calcium. They should make the appropriate dietary adjustments. Many successful athletes are vegetarians, but strict vegans have to be very careful to ensure that their food provides adequate sources of all the vitamins and amino acids. This applies particularly to vitamin B₁₂, which may need to be obtained from supplementation.