We've been conditioned to think of chocolate milk and grilled chicken as the perfect protein-packed workout fuel. However, the highest-performing athletes in the world are eating salads, nuts, berries, and whole grains. Research proves a plant-based diet offers athletes the greatest possible recovery times, cell oxidation, injury prevention, and restorative sleep and allows athletes to train more effectively with better results. No longer a fad, the plant-based lifestyle is appealing to a wide-ranging group of athletes of every age, with proof in the championship rings, first place trophies, and careers that extend well into an athlete's 30s, 40s, and beyond. But what about the regular gym-goer or jogger, climber, or intramural basketball player? While the stakes are lower for most of us, we all want the same things: A happier experience exercising, the ability to stay active for most of our life, more energy for the day, and to fall into bed exhausted and ready for sleep at night.