Why The Climavore Athlete Movement?
What change can one athlete make? Climate change poses humanity for an unprecedented challenge. At the core of the problem lie fossil fuels and the current food system. While the world is making huge steps in changing to renewable energy, food system emissions only go up. Agriculture is estimated to be responsible for between a quarter and a third of total world wide greenhouse gas emissions. Humans have to eat, so emissions will never be zero, but what we choose to eat matters a lot. A plant-based diet emits only about a quarter of that of high meat eaters.
Athletes are role models and influence people’s behaviour. Every sports marketeer knows this. We need to harness the power of sport for the good. And this is not only altruism: a clear message in line with personal values will increase the athlete’s brand value.
A lot of misconceptions about (more) plant-based nutrition still exist: plant proteins are considered inferior and fear of deficiencies is holding athletes back. But science has caught up: protein muscle synthesis can reach the same maximum and with some simple replacements, all nutrients can be provided (only required B12 supplement in strictly vegans). If anything, it seems to be easier on a high energy intake, like most athletes do, to get all the nutrients right.
It is about choosing plants more often, not about becoming vegan. Although acute studies (muscle protein synthesis), training studies (performance outcomes) and real world elite examples show that 100% plant-based nutrition can fuel elite performances, it is more important that the norm in sport nutrition will shift towards eating more plants and plant based protein sources. A plant vs animal protein source ratio of between 60%-40% to 100%-0%, whichever suits the athlete. At present, athletes often consume only 30% plant based protein.
And there are lots of other benefits of (more) whole food plant based diets:
· reduced inflammation
· improved endothelial function
· more satiety, easier to get leaner
· increased intake of vitamin C, polyphenols, and a host of bio-active compounds
· increased intake of fiber for gut health
· less intake of saturated fat, salt and cholesterol
And you can get rid of this nagging feeling (cognitive dissonance) that animals have suffered for your food that can easily be replaced, and you still do it.
So, the science is clear: eating more plants is a win for all: health, performance, climate, and animals. And being able to do something, however small, is one of the best ways to cope with the stress of climate change that a lot of us feel. Lets join the movement and be part of something bigger.
Key references:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-023-00795-w
https://www.m3-research.nl/3374-2/
https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(25)00042-5/fulltext
