How to Build Muscle on a Vegan Diet from Health Coach and Bodybuilder

To build muscle, lose weight, and burn calories in the gym, many people believe that you need to eat animal protein or use supplements to see results. Meghann Reich, who's a fitness equipment professional (Health and Fitness Equipment Centers) health coach (Fitness Queen Ohio) and plant-based bodybuilder, proves that you can build lean, strong muscle mass on a purely plant-based diet.
The Beet talked to Reich and found out everything you need to know about natural bodybuilding, gaining, or maintaining muscle on a plant-based diet, and here is her best advice to anyone who doesn't know where to start.

Before she went vegan about seven years ago, Reich was just getting into a solid fitness routine teaching multiple Zumba Fitness classes a week but admits to consuming a lot of unhealthy fast foods and not being mindful of the health risks. When she switched her diet to vegetarian and then fully plant-based, she built lean muscle and achieved her goal of strong six-pack abs. She was never a bodybuilder back then, but as she got in better shape, local gym-goers always encouraged her to compete, and then the idea dawned on her that she could enter a competition and do very well. She is an official NPC (National Physique Committee) Nationally Qualified Bikini Athlete and has won many competitions within only just two years of competing!
She has become something of a guru for others who want to achieve even a fraction of her fit body goals. "It is absolutely possible to build muscle and be healthy without the consumption of animal products," Reich says. "There are so many wonderful benefits, and I always encourage others to eat more of a plant-based diet."

MR: "Eating plant-based foods made me feel healthier and stronger. I started consuming less meat and became just a vegetarian. Then in time, fully transitioned over to vegan. It wasn't very hard to give up meat especially when I started noticing that I didn't feel very well after eating it (Bloat, digestive issues, got sick more regularly). I have more energy, I'm less bloated from dairy, and I love the results I have achieved.”

MR: "My favorite protein powders are pea-based by Liv Body and Elevate Nutrition. My favorite protein bar is “No Cow” (This is the only brand of bars that I have stuck with for many years) and my favorite flavor is chocolate chip cookie dough. They are low in sugar, high in protein, soy free, gf, quick to consume, and taste amazing right after a lift! I also eat a lot of lentil pastas and legumes. I am a huge fan of “Tolerant Foods” pastas, black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, nuts, and absolutely love my veggies. Yes, veggies do have protein too.”

MR: "I eat around 3 to 4 meals a day. I'm more flexible with my meals in the non-competitive season, but still prefer to eat similar foods. I like to have a structured routine. If I'm prepping for a competition, I will keep track and pay closer attention to macros in foods. If I'm not preparing for a show, I will either track loosely and be more intuitive."

The Beet: How often do you workout?

MR:  "I lift 6 -7 days a week, but I will take one rest or light day, but I still like to be active. It really depends on how I recover too, and how my body feels. I like to take my time and spend most of my mornings at the gym when I can. I also lift at home a couple of days a week too.”

MR: "I do. I take Live Body vegan multi-vitamin, as well as Garden of Life Elderberry immune gummy (these are delicious) to stay healthy, especially right now, and I take Mega Foods Cranberry B12 gummy twice a day."

MR:"You need to have a slow and steady transition. I suggest cutting back on meat first, then dairy, but do not try to achieve it all at once. Substitute animal-based foods with vegan options: Veggie burgers, tofu, beans, lentils, legumes, protein powders, then add in your fruits, veggies, and grains. I like to use “a flexible diet “approach. It’s definitely okay to add in a treat, like a cookie, or your favorite latte, but don't have too much of these all the time as this can cause bad habits, and also interfere with your goals. One specific diet can't work for everyone though. You must experiment and follow what works best, but also has you feeling your best.”

MR: "You need to have a slow and steady transition. I suggest cutting back on meat and dairy at first, but not try to achieve it all at once. Substitute things you love with vegan options: Veggie burgers, lentils, and legumes, even your protein powders should be plant-based. I believe in flexibility so make your diet enjoyable and every now and then throw in a treat, like a cookie, but don't have too many or you will not reach your goals. One diet can't work for everyone so you have to have a trial and error system that will allow you to feel your best."

MR: "If you want to start exploring a plant-based diet, first switch up your normal supplements and replace them with plant-based ones. Then, be patient because it takes some time to build muscle. Monitor how you feel, keep training and you will get results."

"Just because you made the switch to a vegan diet doesn't mean you can't train hard. I promise you will feel the benefits of this diet sooner than later. You will have more energy and your body will look cut. There are a lot of people who are vegan bodybuilders, so there's proof it can be done."

"One tip that I have told all my clients to do is to supplement with B12 for energy and support. I take two gummies a day of 24 MCG.  A serving is two gummies, so that works for me."

MR: "Yes, I have a lot. The one that sticks with me right now is: 'Change your mind, change your life.' This mantra can be applied to so many different things. The mind is so powerful and we take it for granted. We are more capable of doing better and having a better attitude if we set our minds to it."

"We need to believe in ourselves and train our minds to be healthier and happier, just as you would train to accomplish anything else."