Nutrition Research Column – January 2026 – Is it Possible for Vegetarians or Vegans to Consume Enough Protein to Support Occupational Readiness?

by Sheyla Leon, and Drew Gonzalez, PhD, CISSN, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D
TSAC Report February 2026
Vol 80, Issue 1

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This article offers an overview of protein requirements for tactical and occupational populations and examines how plant based diets can effectively support athletic performance.

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This article originally appeared in TSAC Report, the NSCA’s quarterly, online-only publication geared toward the training of tactical athletes, operators, and facilitators. It provides research-based articles, performance drills, and conditioning techniques for operational, tactical athletes. The TSAC Report is only available for NSCA Members. Read more articles from TSAC Report

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REFERENCES

  1. Antonio, J, Evans, C, Ferrando, AA, Sout, JR, Antonio, B, Cinteo, H, et al. Common questions and misconceptions about protein supplementation: What does the scientific evidence really show? Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition 21(1): 2341903, 2024.
  2. Atherton, P, and Smith, K. Muscle protein synthesis in response to nutrition and exercise. The Journal of Physiology 590(5): 1049-1057, 2012.
  3. Babault, N, Païzis, C, Deley, G, Guerin-Deremaux, L, Saniez, M, Lefranc-Millot, C, et al. Pea proteins oral supplementation promotes muscle thickness gains during resistance training: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial vs. whey protein. Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition 12(1): 3, 2015.
  4. Banaszek, A, Townsend, JR, Bender, D, Vantrease, W, Marshall, A, and Johnson, K. The effects of whey vs. pea protein on physical adaptations following 8-weeks of high-intensity functional training (HIFT): A pilot study. Sports (Basel) 7(1): 2019.
  5. Berrazaga, I, Micard, V, Gueugneau, M, and Walrand, S. The role of the anabolic properties of plant- versus animal-based protein sources in supporting muscle mass maintenance: A critical review. Nutrients 11(8): 2019.
  6. Boirie, Y, Dangin, M, Gachon, P, Vasson, M, Maubois, J, and Beaufrere, B. Slow and fast dietary proteins differently modulate postprandial protein accretion. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 94(26): 14930-14935, 1997.
  7. Brown, EC, DiSilvestro, RA, Babaknia, A, and Devor, S. Soy versus whey protein bars: Effects on exercise training impact on lean body mass and antioxidant status. Nutrition Journal 3(1): 22, 2004.
  8. Candow, DG, Burke, NC, Smith-Palmer, T, and Burke, D. Effect of whey and soy protein supplementation combined with resistance training in young adults. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 16(3): 233-244, 2006.
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  10. Davies, RW, Kozior, M, Lynch, AE, Bass, J, Atherton, P, Smith, K, et al. The effect of fava bean (vicia faba l.) protein ingestion on myofibrillar protein synthesis at rest and after resistance exercise in healthy, young men and women: A randomised control trial. Nutrients 14(18): 3688, 2022.
  11. de Marco Castro, E, Valli, G, Buffière, C, Guillet, C, Mullen, B, Pratt, J, et al. Peripheral amino acid appearance is lower following plant protein fibre products, compared to whey protein and fibre ingestion, in healthy older adults despite optimised amino acid profile. Nutrients 15(1): 35, 2022.
  12. Denysschen, CA, Burton, HW, Horvath, PJ, Leddy, J, and Browne, R. Resistance training with soy vs whey protein supplements in hyperlipidemic males. Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition 11(6): 8, 2009.
  13. Gonzalez, DE, Hines, KE, Sowinski, RJ, Estes, L, Johnson, S, Chun, J, et al. Effects of pork protein ingestion prior to and following performing the Army Combat Fitness Test on markers of catabolism, inflammation, and recovery. Nutrients 17(12): 2025.
  14. Gonzalez, DE, McAllister, MJ, Waldman, HS, Ferrando, AA, Joyce, J, Barringer, ND, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Tactical athlete nutrition. Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition 19(1): 267-315, 2022.
  15. Gorissen, SH, Crombag, JJ, Senden, JM, Waterval, W, Bierau, J, Verdijk, L, et al. Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates. Amino Acids 50: 1685-1695, 2018.
  16. Gorissen, SH, Horstman, AM, and Franssen, R. Ingestion of wheat protein increases in vivo muscle protein synthesis rates in healthy older men in a randomized trial. Journal of Nutrition 146(9): 1651-1659, 2016.
  17. Gorissen, SHM, Crombag, JJR, and Senden, JMG. Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates. Amino Acids 50(12): 1685-1695, 2018.
  18. Hartman, JW, Tang, JE, Wilkinson, SB, Tarnopolsky, M, Lawrence, R, Fullerton, A, et al. Consumption of fat-free fluid milk after resistance exercise promotes greater lean mass accretion than does consumption of soy or carbohydrate in young, novice, male weightlifters. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 86(2): 373-381, 2007.
  19. Hevia-Larraín, V, Gualano, B, Longobardi, I, Gil, S, Fernandes, A, Costa, L, et al. High-protein plant-based diet versus a protein-matched omnivorous diet to support resistance training adaptations: A comparison between habitual vegans and omnivores. Sports Medicine 51(6): 1317-1330, 2021.
  20. Jäger, R, Kerksick, CM, Campbell, BI, Cribb, PJ, Wells, SD, Skwiat, TM, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Protein and exercise. Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition 14(1): 20, 2017.
  21. Joy, JM, Lowery, RP, Wilson, JM, Purpura, M, De Souza, E, Wilson, S,et al. The effects of 8 weeks of whey or rice protein supplementation on body composition and exercise performance. Nutrition Journal 12(1): 86, 2013.
  22. Lamb, DA, Moore, JH, Smith, MA, Vann, C, Osburn, S, Ruple, B, et al. The effects of resistance training with or without peanut protein supplementation on skeletal muscle and strength adaptations in older individuals. Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition 17(1): 66, 2020.
  23. Lynch, HM, Buman, MP, Dickinson, JM, Ransdell, L, Johnston, C, and Wharton, C. No significant differences in muscle growth and strength development when consuming soy and whey protein supplements matched for leucine following a 12 week resistance training program in men and women: A randomized trial. International Journal of Environmental Research on Public Health 17(11): 2020.

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Sheyla Leon

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Sheyla Leon is an incoming fourth-year undergraduate student at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. She is a research technician at the Exerc ...

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Andrew Gonzalez, PhD, CSCS, TSAC-F

Texas A & M University

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Drew Gonzalez is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and the Director of the Occupational, Performance, and Nutrition ...

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