The Expert Guide To Building Muscle Without Meat

Know The Benefits

“Everyone can benefit from getting more fibre and antioxidants in their diet in the form of whole plant foods, especially if you’re a keen athlete. Not only has research linked a vegan diet with lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer, but athletes following a plant-based diet may perform better and recover more quickly due to a higher intake of nutrients.” – Rob Hobson, sports nutritionist 

Work Out Your Protein Requirement

“As a general rule, aim to consume at least 0.8g of protein for every kilogram you weigh. For example, if you weigh 91kg, you should be having around 73g of protein each day. If you’re looking to increase muscle mass, you need to increase your protein intake – aim for 2g of protein per kg of bodyweight – alongside regular strength training. This means that if you weigh 91kg, you should aim for 182g of protein per day to build muscle. To reach this goal, get into the habit of starting the day with a protein-rich smoothie made with protein oats, plant milk, peanut butter, chia seeds, banana and hemp seeds, and add tofu, nuts and chickpeas to pasta dishes.” – David Wiener, training & nutrition specialist at Freeletics 

Plan Your Diet

“A well-planned, plant-based diet will provide the body with a fantastic source of nutrients to optimise training and recovery. However, it’s worth giving some thought to the amino acids you’re consuming to ensure you’re meeting your protein requirements. Amino acids make up the protein that our bodies need. Meat, eggs and dairy are the most common forms of animal protein as they contain all of the nine essential amino acids. Most sources of plant-based protein are lacking in at least one of the nine amino acids – soy and quinoa are two exceptions. Chia and hemp seeds, buckwheat and amaranth are also rich in amino acids. The key is to eat a variety of plant proteins at each meal to ensure you’re covering your bases when it comes to amino acids – think puy lentil bolognese with pasta, porridge made with oats and soy milk, a Thai green curry with tofu and rice, or nut butter on wholemeal toast.”– Rob 

Eat At Least 25g Of Protein Per Meal

“The amount of protein you eat throughout the day makes a difference. Studies suggest you should spread your intake throughout the day, aiming for around 25g per meal if you’re looking to gain muscle mass. You’ll also want to ensure you’re getting a steady supply of the essential amino acid leucine, which acts as the primary trigger to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. The more leucine a food contains, the more effective it will be at stimulating muscle growth. Tofu, black beans, vegan Quorn, lentils and quinoa are good sources of leucine.” – Rob 

Train Three Times A Week

“As research stands, there are no secret ways to optimise your training for building muscle. It comes down to a simple formula: use heavy, compound lifts (exercises that use multiple muscle groups at the same time) as part of your workouts three times a week, ensuring you are going to near failure each time. This will ensure you are stimulating the adaptations required for muscle building. Nutrition wise, ensure you eat adequate energy around your workout, and consume at least 0.3g of protein per kilogram of your bodyweight in the hours following your session.” – Lily Chapman, performance coach & nutritionist at P3RFORM

Top Up With Supplements

“Vitamin B12 is essential to convert food into energy and keep blood sugar stable. It also supports red blood cell production and immune function, as well as contributing to serotonin production, which ensures healthy sleep cycles, appetite and mood. However, B12 is hard to find in plant foods, so it’s worth taking a supplement if you don’t eat meat. Brown rice, quinoa, almonds, sesame seeds and walnuts also contain some B12, so be sure to eat plenty of these, too. At the same time, if you’ve noticed you aren’t bouncing back as quickly after a workout or are fatiguing more quickly during a session, consider taking a zinc supplement, which plays a central role to energy and endurance.” – David 

Find A Protein Powder You Like

“If you think a plant-based protein powder isn’t as effective as whey, think again. A new wave of better-designed, plant-based protein powders – including the likes of soy, rice, pea and hemp – are more effective with better digestibility. In fact, many people who struggle to digest whey protein find they get on much better with a vegan option. Try tracking your daily protein intake for a week; if you find you are consistently missing your protein target and are struggling to find ways to increase via your diet, consider using a protein powder. Mix with your favourite plant-based milk, add a scoop to yoghurt or add to baking recipes.” – Helena Thomas Harman, nutritionist at Holland & Barrett