In this article we review the food plan of a Vegan Runner: Scott Jurek. He is currently thought to be one of the greatest runners of all time….certainly distance runner.
So what do we know about Scott?

• D.O.B. 26.10.73 (45yrs)
• Discipline: Ultra Running
• Diet: Vegan
• Autobiography: Eat and Run

Scott has quite a list of running achievements with victories in nearly ALL ultra running elite trail and road events including:

• Spartathlon
• Hardrock 100
• Badwater 13Western States 100
• Apalacian Trail Speed Record (2015) – his latest success. He ran 50 miles average/day over 46 days.

As well as his legendary running records he is well known as a Vegan Runner.
Scott’s food plan is 100% Plant Based Diet eating a high level of raw and sprouted foods, eating high protein foods at every meal and snack and plant based protein powders.

Maintaining an adequate protein intake is sometimes a challenge for vegan runners

Suggestions for high protein plant based foods

• Sprouted grains
• Nut butters
• Soy products (sprouted tofu, tempeh, edamame, legumes)
• Energy bars – as snacks
• Trail mix – as a snack
• Soy or nut based desserts

So what is Scott’s key to nutritional success? In his own words…

Additionally, he uses foods that have been sprouted, soaked, or fermented to aid digestion.

Take Home Message from Vegan Runner: Scott Jurek ….. it is possible to achieve running success on a vegan/vegetarian diet as long as it is whole food rich, well planned and nutrient dense.

Here is an overview of key nutrients all endurance runners require with our suggestions of plant based food sources.

We personally recommend reading his autobiography ‘Eat to Run’. It is entertaining and inspiring. The added bonus……at the beginning of each chapter is one of Scott’s own vegan recipes for a meal/snack he uses in training/races.