5 Things You NEED to Know to Coach Vegan Clients
... How to work with plant-based eaters so that they can reach their goals.
Written by: Dr. Marc Morris Ph.D CSCS
Vegan nutrition clients can be challenging to work with, especially if you aren’t familiar with the lifestyle. They have specific needs and requirements that you need to consider when making recommendations.Â
If you aren’t vegan or vegetarian yourself, it can be even harder since you don’t have the experience to guide your clients.
This is why in this article we will go over the 5 things you need to know when coaching vegan clients.
1. Understanding the Type of Vegan (or Vegetarian) You’re coaching
Plant-based eating has been on the rise, and with that, so have many variations of it. This is because of the different dietary needs and preferences of the person who chooses the plant-based lifestyle.
Today we will focus on vegan clients, which means eating no animal products, which includes eggs and dairy, and anything else produced by an animal. Veganism also spreads beyond food, and people may choose to avoid soaps or cosmetic items that include animal products.
All of these factors are why it’s so important to get to know your clients and their preferences when you’re building a plan for them.
2. Protein Concerns
Protein is a big issue when it comes to coaching vegan clients. Protein is more abundant in animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy, so you might need to get creative when coaching vegan clients and making sure they get enough protein.
One Dr. Marc Method graduate, Michelle Yungwirth (@saltoftheearthnutrition), passed along some advice on this topic. Michelle is a high-level vegan athlete, so here is what she recommended from her experience as a vegan athlete and nutrition coach.
"Most vegan clients will come to you and not be eating enough protein at first. Instead of drastically increasing their protein intake right away, gradually increase their protein by 20-30 grams per week, and watch their progress."
There are a couple of ways to make sure your vegan clients are getting enough protein. First, make sure they stock up on protein at the store. If it’s on hand while they’re creating meals, it’ll be easier for them to add protein to a meal quickly.
Another way to make sure your clients get enough protein is by having them opt for quality protein sources. The most common protein source for vegans is beans, but beans are higher in carbs and fiber, so if your clients solely rely on them for protein, they will drive up carbs and calories instead of maximizing protein. Instead, recommend protein sources like soy products, tofu, tempeh, protein supplements, lentils, and other meat alternatives like seitan.
3. Eating Enough
Since vegan diets are more nutrient-dense than calorie-dense, vegans might feel fuller faster. Coach Shobana, another Dr. Marc Method-trained coach, had some suggestions to work around this.Â
These suggestions include:
- Reduce the number of processed foods in their diet
- Don’t skip meals
- Eat portion sizes big enough to satisfy them and keep them 80% full
- Eat slowly and mindfully to listen to their body’s hunger cues
- Eat snacks between meals
In my experience coaching vegan clients, I’ve learned it’s important for them to eat things like nuts and seeds that are more calorie-dense to make sure they are eating enough.Â
4. Navigating Challenging Situations
Going out to eat, dinner parties, and other social events with food may challenge someone who is new to living a vegan lifestyle. It is your job as a nutrition coach to help your clients navigate this situation.
First, suggest to your clients they should plan ahead before going out. Many restaurants have plant-based options for their menu items, and your client can plan ahead by looking up the menu beforehand.
But if your client is going somewhere that won’t have any vegan options, suggest your client bring their own protein source along with them.
5. Supplementing on a Vegan Diet
Protein supplements can help fill in the blanks with nutrient deficiencies. Coach Shobana mentioned that although we put emphasis on diverse plant-based protein sources, due to its lower absorbability, vegans should consider supplements like pea protein or other amino acids to make sure clients are getting enough complete protein.Â
For athletes, Coach Michelle highly recommends supplementing protein powder. These powders often include vitamins and other nutrients that vegans are often lacking; like vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, and creatine. So if your client is struggling to get any of these, you might want to consider having them take supplements to fill their needs.
With all of these factors considered, it’s important to understand veganism goes beyond the diet, and it impacts many other parts of your client’s life. Making sure to understand your client’s lifestyle, helping them navigate difficult situations, make sure they meet their protein requirements, and eating enough in general are all essential in making sure your client will reach their goals, and still continue with their lifestyle.
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