Health Tip: If You're a Vegetarian Athlete

Vegetarian athletes must get enough nutrients and calories to fuel their bodies without including dietary meat.

The American Council on Exercise offers these suggestions for vegetarian athletes:

• Vegetarians who eat sufficient eggs and dairy products needn't be worried about protein deficiency.
• Meat substitutes and soy also can be good sources of protein.
• Vegans should eat nuts, seeds, legumes and whole-grain breads and cereals to get enough protein.
• Get enough calcium via vitamin-D-fortified flour, tortillas, nuts and sesame seeds.
• Get plenty of iron by eating spinach, nuts, seeds, eggs and legumes.