Sports Line Spotlight: Vega
The snow has melted, the sun is out and summer is getting closer by the day. For those of you looking to rev up your active lifestyle as the weather gets warmer, Scott Henderson, Store Manager of the Feel Rite Fresh Market Amherst location, former fitness coach and duathlete, has the low down on his go-to sports supplement line.
“I have been using Vega products since Brendan Brazier first introduced the Vega Sport protein and I got the opportunity to meet him at the Toronto Veg fest!” Henderson says. “He is a fellow vegan athlete and has been an inspiration to me! Since then the Vega product line has expanded and has become my go to for sports nutrition!”
For a bit of background, according to the Vega website, Brendan Brazier is the formulator and co-founder of Vega is a former professional Ironman triathlete and two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion. He is now a nutrition consultant, and the author of the best selling Thrive book series.
When asked what his favorite Vega products are, Henderson had some immediate go-tos.
First up, we have Vega One
“Vega One is the whole foods plant based nutritional shake I start my day with! Rich in micronutrients, greens, adaptogens, antioxidants and protein it is hands down my healthiest meal of the day! I like to say that it fills in the nutrition gaps in the standard American diet!”
Micronutrients are essential to the production of enzymes, hormones, proteins, and other products created by your body as explained in “What are Micronutrients”. Unlike Macronutrients you only need small amounts of these to get the benefits, and Vega One has them!
As for adaptogens, they “help your body handle stress,” says Dr. Brenda Powell, co-medical director of the Center for Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute (quoted in a Time blog post). “They’re meant to bring us back to the middle.”
If you’re looking to get a balanced start to your day, especially if it’s an active one, then Vega One might be a great place to begin.
Next up, we have Vega Sport Protein and the Vega Recovery Accelerator
“Vega Sport Protein provides 30 grams of clean plant based protein, BCAA’s, Glutamine, Turmeric, Tart Cherry and probiotics to not only promote substantial lean muscle growth but also alleviate pain and inflammation!
My favorite recovery shake is the Vega Sport Protein mixed with the Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator!”
It’s clear that the Vega Sport Protein is great, but to make it even better, it need’s it’s dynamic duo.
“While protein alone is great to have post workout it is GREATLY enhanced by giving it a carbohydrate to help deliver it to the bloodstream and then on to the muscles where it can begin rebuilding! Vega Recovery Accelerator gets the job done and tastes AMAZING mixed with the protein! You’ll notice faster recovery times, less fatigue and better results!”
When it comes to getting the most out of this product, keep an eye on the clock. According to the blog post “How to Make Recovery Accelerator Work For You,” you should take take Recovery Accelerator 20 minutes after a workout (mixed only with water) because that’s when your body kicks into recovery mode and needs the most nutrients. Meanwhile, Performance Protein can be taken about 20 to 45 minutes after that for best results.
While our resident yogi and marathon runner loves what Vega has to offer, it is important to find what works for you in terms of taste and nutritional needs. We carry several awesome sports supplement lines in all of our stores, and if you don’t see one you like, we can special order. Talk to any one of our knowledgeable customer service staff in our five locations, or stop by our Amherst location to talk to Scott himself. Whatever you choose to complement your fuel your active lifestyle, we want to set you up with something you love, and something that will love your body back.