13 when eating meat, with the change in farming practices and what the animals are given to eat, this means that even the animals often need to be given supplements of B12. As well as providing the necessary nutrients an athlete needs on a vegan diet, it is also more beneficial in terms of an acid/alkali balance. A meat-eating diet is fairly acidic and this is not good – even more so for athletes. An acidic diet may lead to muscle wasting and an in-creased risk of injury.ConclusionLike any way of eating that may exclude certain food items, you must make sure that you are eating a wide variety of different foods covering all macro and micro nutrients.So to the question, ‘Do vegan diets contain enough nutrients to build muscle?’ Then I believe that the evi-dence shows that it is. Getting regular check-ups with your Doctor is not a bad idea. That way you can be sure that you are covering all your bases. It is always worth researching everything yourself before embarking on a new way of eating. Keeping a training diary will ensure that your training and recovery are still on track also. If in doubt, always consult with your local Nutritional Therapist for advice on nutrient intake.Lisa J Lowery-Jones, Bsc(Hons), NT Dip, PG Dip, mBANT.Lisa began her interest in nutrition when studying Sports & Exercise Science at Brighton University. A two-year course from Premier Training in Nutritional Therapy gave Lisa her qualification to practice, and offer advice and modifications to people’s diet to optimise health and well-being.In today’s hectic lifestyle it is often difficult to follow the ‘perfect’ diet, and so Lisa offers clients a personalised diet and lifestyle plan to fit in with everyday life and stresses. After all – everyone is different! Consultations can be in person or via Skype. Each client receives personalised hand-outs and a programme specific to them. References:Minich D & Bland J. Acid-alkaline balance: role in chronic disease and detoxifica-tion. Alternative Therapies, Jul/Aug 2007, Vol. 13, No. 4