Vegan Bulking Meal Plan & Tips

Vegan athletes know that plant foods are powerful sources of nutrition and energy, but can they be high enough in protein to add bulk? Of course - you just have to plan ahead and know how to structure your meals. 

Vegan diets are much more exciting than just eating salads – in fact, vegan food can be incredibly flavourful as well as nutritious. So, we’ve got a vegan meal plan that is both tasty and suitable for adding some muscle on. High calorie and high protein foods to consider adding to your diet, as well as a meal plan for a full week of vegan meals.

 

Can You Bulk on a Vegan Diet? 

When it comes to adding bulk, there are three key factors: an exercise routine that challenges your muscles enough to grow, adequate calories to support the exercise, and adequate protein to make your muscles grow and recover. 

Once you have your workout routine down, make sure your foods provide enough calories to add bulk (about 400-600 more than you burn per day). You can use our calculator to check out our estimates. 

Which Vegan Foods are Good for Bulking? 

When bulking, we want to choose plant-based foods that are high in calories and those high in protein. As you’ll see below, many of them are great sources of both. 

Protein Powders: there are many great options for protein powders. Soy protein is one of the original vegan options, but now there are pea protein, brown rice protein, and blends of these sources. Because plant-based proteins contain different levels of different amino acids, blends can be useful to combine several sources.

Nuts: nuts are a nutritional powerhouse - they are high in protein, fat, and calories, as well as micronutrients. Nuts can come raw or roasted, but check if extra oils are added - it is best to choose those without added oils or added salt.

Whole grains: whole grains, like brown rice, quinoa, farro, and others, are less processed than typical grain products, which often leaves them higher in protein and nutrition than their refined counterparts.

Legumes: beans, peas, and lentils are key for a well-rounded plant-based diet. Entire cultures have survived on beans and rice for years - a combination that provides all of the necessary amino acids. Beans, peas, and lentils can be shelf stable, easy to prepare, and very cost-effective sources of protein. 

Foods high in fat: because fat contains 9 calories per gram (versus 4 calories per gram in protein and carbs), high fat foods are often high in calories as well. Choosing heart healthy fats are key - the idea is to add calories and make sure you stay in a calorie surplus for successful bulking. High fat foods like avocado, olive oil, coconut, nuts, nut butters and seeds are great for snacking and adding to meals.

Dried fruits: While fresh fruit is delicious and should be plentiful in a vegan diet, dried fruits contain the same number of calories in a smaller, easy to take on-the-go package. Add some dried fruits to your oatmeal, snacks, or salads for an extra calorie boost. 

Meat alternatives: While tofu is super versatile - from extra firm tofu for sauteing and frying to silken tofu for smoothies and ramen bowls - there are many other high protein meat alternatives on the market. Plant based burgers and breakfast sausage are easy to find, and seitan (made from wheat) and tempeh (made from fermented soy beans) are used in a variety of vegan recipes. 

Vegan Bulking Meal Plan 

Exact serving sizes and quantities will vary based on your calorie needs. Use our calculator for guidance. 

Day 1

Breakfast

Try our 3 vegan protein shakes using pea protein if banana and spinach isn't getting you excited.

Morning Snack

Trail mix (dried fruit, nuts) 

Lunch

Spinach salad with grilled tempeh, tomato, roasted red peppers, and avocado 

Afternoon Snack

Guacamole and tortilla chips 

Dinner

Veggie burger on potato bun, roasted cauliflower and sweet potato wedges 

Day 2 

Breakfast

Granola with maple syrup and high protein vegan yogurt 

Morning Snack

Try out some of our chia pudding recipes below.

Lunch

Roasted veggie wraps with hummus 

Afternoon Snack

Dinner

Roasted spaghetti squash with soy chorizo and tomato sauce 

Day 3

Breakfast

Tofu scrambled with vegetables and nutritional yeast 

Morning Snack

Lunch

Spicy Seitan wings with side salad and corn bread 

Afternoon Snack

Edamame sauteed in olive oil with a pinch of salt 

Dinner

Quinoa bowl with roasted veggies and tahini 

Day 4

Breakfast

Avocado toast with tomato slices, lemon zest, and olive oil 

Morning Snack

Mixed berries and vegan yogurt 

Lunch

Lentil vegetable soup with massaged kale salad   

Afternoon Snack

Crackers, cucumbers, and hummus 

Dinner

Veggie stir fry with edamame and sauteed noodles 

Day 5

Breakfast

Toast with peanut butter and banana 

Morning Snack

Lunch

Afternoon Snack

Popcorn with nutritional yeast 

Dinner

Gnocchi with sauteed mushrooms and spinach 

Day 6 

Breakfast

Morning Snack

Whole grain tortilla roll up with almond butter and granola 

Lunch

Soy chorizo stuffed sweet potato with tahini 

Afternoon Snack

Dinner

Spicy roasted tofu, eggplant, and cashews with brown rice 

Day 7 

Breakfast

Try out some of these recipes, and make them vegan by swapping out any whey protein for soy.

Morning Snack

½ avocado and an orange 

Lunch

Mashed chickpea salad (vegan mayo, chives, and lemon juice) on whole grain bread and side salad 

Afternoon Snack

Carrots and hummus 

Dinner

How Can Vegans Bulk?

1. Eat enough protein

When adding bulk, you want to aim for between 0.8-1g of protein per lb or 1.8-2.2 g per kg of body weight.1 Protein should make up at least 30% of your daily calories. 

2. Track your calories

While it seems tedious and time consuming, tracking your calories is one way to make sure you’re hitting the necessary goals to add bulk. Staying between 400-600 extra calories per day ensures the fuel your muscles need to grow. 

3. Monitor your weight weekly

While before and after photos are awesome, it’s best to monitor your weight once a week under the same conditions - i.e., first thing in the morning or right before bed for consistency. Adding 1-2 pounds per week is a reasonable goal that won’t compromise your health. 

4. Stay Hydrated

Eating more calories and protein makes your body do more work digesting and absorbing those nutrients; enough water and staying hydrated will allow your body to work efficiently. The more you sweat during your workouts, the more water you’ll need to drink - in addition to your regular 8 glasses per day. 

5. Don’t Neglect Fats

Many plant-based foods are packed full of nutrition, but fat sources are not as plentiful as in animal-based proteins. Make sure you’re finding ways to incorporate healthy fats (like olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds) to hit your calorie goals. 

Take Home Message 

Eating a vegan diet does not mean you can’t add mass and muscle. Vegan foods are nutritious and can be packed with the protein and calories you need to be successful with your bodybuilding goals. Planning ahead and keeping track of your nutrients are two keys to success. So get cooking!

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