ESSNA’s vegan and vegetarian sports nutrition guide “unpacks” plant-based nutrition

28 Jun 2021 --- The European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA) is releasing a nutrition guide for vegan and vegetarian sports nutrition consumers. 

The move seeks to help active consumers understand how well the sports nutrition industry caters to plant-based diets. 

“As more and more people are being introduced to sports nutrition, ESSNA’s consumer guide series aims to empower customers with the knowledge to choose products that work for them,” Adam Carey, the chair of ESSNA, tells NutritionInsight.

“The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. This guide will help anyone to do so from the perspective of plant-based products,” Carey continues. 

Going mainstream?
According to Carey, sports nutrition is no longer just for elite athletes, with increasing numbers of amateur sports people and gym-goers looking for products which can help them support their training.

The segment is seeing increased plant-based NPD coming forth. Innova Market Insights says a variety of alternatives is expected to disrupt the segment further using a wider variety of ingredients. 

It has also been suggested that there are opportunities for plant and animal protein blends, mixing whey and vegetable protein in sports nutrition products.

The world of sports nutrition is expanding along with demand for vegan and vegetarian sports nutrition NPD.

Nutritional needs will always vary from individual to individual according to a variety of factors including age, gender and activity levels, Carey says. 

“However, if a person is getting enough of the right nutrients to support their training goals, there is no reason that vegan or vegetarian sports nutrition should be a drawback,” he adds.

Making the right consumer choices
The guide was written in collaboration with TJ Waterfall – a vegan and vegetarian nutrition specialist who founded Meat Free Fitness. 

“There are many potential health, performance and recovery benefits to plant-based diets, and sports nutrition products can play a useful role in supporting anyone’s active lifestyle,” Waterfall asserts. 

“This guide also outlines how you can ensure your vegan and vegetarian sports nutrition products are safe and are consumed in the right way,” Carey notes. 

In addition, ESSNA’s advice to consumers who have specific nutritional needs, or those who are unsure about what is best for them, is to talk to a performance nutritionist or to a trainer, Carey adds.

Simplifying vegan sports nutrition
ESSNA says the guide unpacks common terminology that underpins vegan and vegetarian diets. 

Moreover, it outlines which products are suitable for different plant-based diets, where to find safe plant-based sports nutrition products and explains how these products support performance and active lifestyles. 

The guide is also part of a series of consumer-facing educational projects from ESSNA to keep active people consuming sports nutrition products effectively and confidently. 

ESSNA’s efforts have been redoubled in light of COVID-19 having witnessed an increase in people turning to the internet and as a result, an increase in the spread of misinformation online. 

The guide helps consumers ensure vegan and vegetarian sports nutrition products are safe and are consumed in the right way.The guide is suitable for a wide range of consumers according to Carey. “The guide can help consumers realise that sports nutrition products could benefit them and inform them on what kind of plant-based products are out there,” he supports.

“Vegan and vegetarian sports nutrition products are central to the diets of many active people. They deserve a guide to help them get the most out of their diets. Those who aren’t vegan or vegetarian usually also deserve to know what plant-based products are out there and how they can benefit their active routine,” Waterfall says.

Building on its resources
The new guide joins numerous other ESSNA resources, which all aim to assist consumers by outlining safe and effective ways to stay fit and healthy. They are written by a wide range of experts from the sports nutrition sector. 

In May, ESSNA suggested stricter obligations for sports nutrition e-commerce in an EU Digital Safety Act, while in November last year, it urged industry vigilance after almost 500 sports nutrition products were found in violation of EU law. 

Moreover, the organization recently called on the UK government to ensure that restrictions on foods meant to tackle childhood obesity do not negatively impact the sports nutrition segment. 

By Kristiana Lalou