Guide Note

Vegan bodybuilding is a fitness subculture centered on building muscle while observing a strict vegan diet. The vegan diet excludes all animal-based food products, including milk and eggs.

Fast Facts

1. Substitutes for animal protein: nuts, seeds, legumes and grains
2. Some use yeast-based spreads and powders (yeast is a fungus¹)
3. Kenneth G. Williams is America's first professional vegan bodybuilder²

In order to gain and retain muscle, bodybuilders eat high-protein foods. According to some sources, bodybuiding requires that one eats a gram of protein for every pound of body weight, daily.³ Veganism eschews animal protein, drastically reducing dietary options—including the whey-based powders that many mainstream bodybuilders use to boost their protein intake. Vegan protein sources include nuts, seeds, beans (legumes) and grains. For convenience, nut butters and yeast spreads are sometimes recommended.⁴

The content of this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for more information before beginning any sort of bodybuilding or weight training.