What do Vegan Vikings eat?

Vikings had a versatile diet. Of course reindeer, other game and fish were hunted, but they also ate plants every day. They grew oats, barley and rye but also grew beans and fruit. There are many advantages to eating more plant-based food. For example, plant-based foods have a high nutrient density, which means that they contain a lot of nutrients in relation to the amount of calories. Fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grain cereals are great sources of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, and they are naturally cholesterol-free.

However, there is also the 'problem' of not getting the essential amino acids that your body itself cannot produce. Especially when you're running a Strong Viking, this is important. After all, you want optimal muscle building and muscle retention.

The main sources of vegetable proteins are beans, peas and lentils, but whole grains also make a contribution. Besides legumes and whole grains (brown or wild rice, oats, quinoa, millet, etc.), other sources of vegetable proteins include soy milk, soy cheese and soy yoghurt, tofu, tempeh and protein powders made from vegetable sources, such as soya, peas, rice, linseed, hemp, oats or quinoa.

One of the biggest challenges for vegans is to get enough protein from plant sources. Proteins consist of amino acids, a kind of building blocks, which your body uses to produce body proteins, such as hormones, enzymes and muscle tissue. Your body can produce a number of amino acids itself. However, there are 9 essential amino acids that you have to obtain from your diet.

All animal products-from meat, poultry, fish, but also from milk and eggs-contain complete proteins, because they contain all essential amino acids and also in the right proportions. The challenge with plant-based food (excluding soybeans) is that it always lacks one or more essential amino acids, which makes these foods considered incomplete.

However, if you combine different plant sources in the right amount, your body will get all the building blocks it needs.

Herbalife Nutrition has developed Tri Blend Select, a complete protein shake with 100% carefully selected natural ingredients that provide optimal nutrition and delicious taste.

Tri Blend Select contains a mix of peas, quinoa and flaxseed to help deliver 100% complete vegetable protein, along with rice proteins. Ideal if you have to keep conquering obstacles for a while before you get to Valhalla.

Vegetable carbohydrates include fruit and vegetables, but also whole grain cereals. Wholegrain foods not only contain carbohydrates - your body's favorite fuel source - but they are also a good source of fiber. In case you're wondering, the only natural animal source of carbohydrates is milk. Milk naturally contains the sugar lactose, which is a carbohydrate.

Vegetable fats include nuts and coconut, seeds, avocado and olives. Other foods made from these sources can also be eaten, such as nuts and seed butters, nut and seed oil, avocado oil and olive oil. With the exception of coconut, vegetable fats are mainly unsaturated fats and are generally considered to be better for your health than the highly saturated fats found in animal foods.

When you think about a plant-based diet, you may only think about fruit and vegetables, but of course beans and grains also count. And don't forget the herbs and spices you use to flavor your food - those are also plants.

As a Vegan Viking, there's plenty to eat, so your body will arrive gloriously at the finish line at full strength! Be there next month!