Do You Need to Eat Red Meat as a Runner?

Do you need to eat red meat as an athlete? You probably know my answer, but I wanted to share this non-bias article and share my opinion as a plant based sports dietitian:

https://www.gssiweb.org/sports-science-exchange/article/sse-58-the-role-of-red-meat-in-an-athlete's-diet

Red meat contains a good source of iron and zinc which is needed for athletes. With low iron, you can struggle with fatigue or even pass out during a run.

Unfortunately, the bioavailability of iron and zinc from plant based sources may be lower (beans, legumes, leafy greens, etc.), but if you work with a plant based sports dietitian, you can be sure that you are eating the right foods and increasing the bioavailability.

Many are quick to add meat back in after going plant-based if they are struggling, but you may not being doing everything you could.

Plant-based nutrition takes work. It's more thoughtful and needs more planning especially for athletes and runners. It's not for everyone if you don't want to do the work or get the help you need to do it right. But if not, it could cause harm to your body or affect your performance.