Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life

show signs of aging and will eventually cause the blood and cellular tissue to degenerate more rapidly than if the system were not acidic.
     
    Athletes in peak training are the most affected by excessively high acid levels (acidosis): Vigorous exercise causes lactic acid build-up, and stress of any kind causes even further build-up. Already physically stressed, many athletes must also deal with various forms of performance anxiety. An increased metabolism, which further lowers the body’s pH, is yet another concern athletes face. Combine this with the heftier food requirements of most athletes and the emphasis on protein to aid muscle recovery and you have all the elements of an acid-ravaged body. Following the Thrive Diet will help combat this.
     

exercise-specific recipes
     

sport drinks
     
    These homemade concoctions are easy to make and much healthier than commercial versions.
     

Electrolyte Sport Drink with Ginger
     

     
    Especially when served cold, this drink goes down smoothly—a prerequisite of any serious sport drink. The citrus combined with the coconut water and ginger gives this drink a refreshing crispness.
     
    The young coconut water provides the electrolytes, while the agave nectar delivers an easily digestible form of slow-release carbohydrate. The ginger helps minimize inflammation.
     
     
    Make Ginger Ale (recipe, page 269), but substitute young coconut water for the plain water.
     
    Variation: Substitute lime for the lemon or use a combination of both. Use fresh coconut water, rather than pasteurized, to make drink 100% raw.
     

Basic Electrolyte Sport Drink
     

     
    This recipe is useful if you need a sport drink but are unprepared. It’s not as good as the others, but it will do in a bind. Most convenience stores and even gas stations will carry these ingredients.
     
     
    3 parts of your favorite unsweetened fruit juice (use fresh, not pasteurized,
juice to make drink 100% raw)
1 part water
Sea salt to taste
     
     
    Combine all ingredients in a water bottle or cup.
     

Mint Carob Sport Drink
     

     
    3 dates
2 strips dulse (about 1 tbsp)
2 cups water
1 tbsp agave nectar
2 tsp roasted carob powder (or cacao nibs to make drink 100% raw)
1 tsp dried mint (or 1 tbsp fresh)
1 tsp coconut oil
Sea salt to taste
     
     
    In a blender, combine all ingredients; process until smooth.
     
    Variation: Substitute 1 cup young coconut water for 1 cup water to increase electrolyte and simple carbohydrate content.
     
    Makes about 3 cups.
     

     

Lemon-Lime Sport Drink
     
    Juice of 1/2 lemon
Juice of 1/4 lime
3 dates
2 cups water
1 tbsp agave nectar
1 tsp coconut oil
Sea salt to taste
     
     
    Filter out lemon and lime pulp from the juice if so desired. In a blender, combine all ingredients; process until smooth.
     
     
    Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Some settling may occur, so re-blend before drinking.
     
    Makes about 3 cups.
     

fast fuel
     
    These gels can be stored in small plastic zip-up bags and taken with you for long workouts or a race. However, they are easier to handle and consume when put into a gel flask, which can be bought at most running-supply stores. The Direct Energy Bites are a great high-energy snack before a short intense workout.
     
    Add 1 tsp of ground yerba maté for extra kick.
     

     

Lemon-Lime Gel
     
    4 dates
1/2 cup agave nectar
1 tbsp lime zest
2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp dulse
Sea salt to taste
     
     
    In a blender, combine all ingredients; process until blend reaches a gel-like consistency.
     
     
    This gel will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, but it’s best when consumed fresh.
     
    Makes about 3/4 cup, enough to fill two standard 4-ounce gel flasks.
     

     

Carob Gel
     
    4 dates
1/4 cup agave nectar
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp roasted carob powder (or cacao nibs to make gel 100% raw)
2 tsp lemon zest
Sea salt to taste
     
     
    In a blender, combine all ingredients; process until blend reaches a gel-like consistency.
     
     
    This gel will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, but it’s best when consumed fresh.
     
    Makes about 3/4 cup, enough to fill two standard 4-ounce gel flasks.
     

     

Coconut Carob Gel (with protein)
     
    2 dates
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 tbsp roasted carob powder (or cacao nibs to make gel 100% raw)
1 tbsp hemp protein
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
Sea salt to taste
     
     
    In a blender, combine all ingredients; process until blend reaches a gel-like