Episodes

39
Feb. 23, 2026

All You Need to Know About Tofu

This week we discuss one of our favorite vegan protein sources: tofu! We'll cover some of the most common types, what you can do with them, and share some of our favorite tofu recipes. Chapters 0:07 Welcome to the Deficient Vegans Podcast 0:30 New Vegan Products on the Market 6:29 Tofu: The Main Attraction 7:52 Benefits of Tofu 9:15 Personal Tofu Experiences 12:16 Types of Tofu 13:15 Pressing Tofu Explained 16:07 Creative Tofu Preparation Techniques 21:12 Flavoring Tofu 27:06 Silken Tofu I...
38
Feb. 9, 2026

Building a Lifting Program

This week we are talking about how to build your lifting routine. Whether you are just getting started or have been doing this for a while and want a refresher, you will learn something from our discussion on programming concepts like volume, body part splits, and more. Chapters 0:05 Welcome to Deficient Vegans Podcast 0:26 New News on Plant-Based Labels 1:32 Cocoa-Free Chocolate Innovation 3:19 Super Bowl Vegan Options 4:23 Building Your Lifting Program 16:57 Understanding Sport-Specific Train...
37
Feb. 2, 2026

Getting Started with Fitness - Food Edition

In this week's episode, we go over the basics of how to manage food and calories to reach your health and/or fitness goal. Topics include calorie tracking, calorie targets, protein targets, and an example plan for an example person. Links discussed in the episode: Fitness Jump Start E-Book TDEE Calculator Chapters 0:02 Welcome to Deficient Vegans Podcast 0:29 MrBeast and Lab-Grown Chicken 1:36 Arizona's Controversial Bill 2:45 Vegan Options Demand Study 6:02 Getting Healthier: Setting Goals...
36
Jan. 26, 2026

Going Vegan 101

We wrap up the last week of Veganuary in this episode by giving you a crash course on switching to a vegan diet and some tips for going vegan in general. We're covering food swaps, social settings, finding restaurants, and more. Links mentioned in the episode: PDV Protein Database MDV Fitness Jump Start Book Chapters 0:02 Welcome to the Deficient Vegans Podcast 0:30 Vegan News Updates 1:23 Innovative Products in Veganism 3:19 Plant-Based vs. Vegan Defined 5:38 The Vegan Diet Breakdown 8:37 Che...
35
Jan. 19, 2026

Vegan Documentaries

This week we continue our Veganuary theme of highlighting vegan causes and general information about veganism. We watched a lot of vegan documentaries in the last few weeks, and we want to share our take on them! We also let you know which documentaries to share with which type of people in your life if you think they might want to learn more about topics related to veganism. For our myth of the week this week, we talk about whether or not performance supplements are really necessary to make pr...
34
Jan. 12, 2026

The Veganuary Effect (with Stu Giddens)

In this episode of Deficient Vegans, we sit down with Stu Giddens from Veganuary to discuss "The Veganuary Effect" and how a simple “try vegan for January” challenge became a global movement. We talk about the real-world impact (from millions of participants to thousands of media stories), how Veganuary partners with brands to make plant-based options easier to find, and what happens after January ends. Learn why many people keep going vegan or at least keep reducing animal products. Plus, St...
33
Jan. 5, 2026

Our Vegan Journey

This week we switch it up a bit. We're gonna start off this year and Veganuary by sharing a little bit about ourselves and our journey to veganism. We'll talk about how we became vegan, some of the struggles we had around that change, how our mindsets have shifted since becoming vegan, and what advice we might have for new vegans. Giveaway Instagram Post Giveaway Reddit Post Chapters 0:04 Welcome to Deficient Vegans Podcast 0:37 Veganuary Kickoff 1:33 Octopus Bloom 2:37 3D Printed Snacks 3:44...
32
Dec. 29, 2025

Cardio vs Lifting Weights

This week we talk about how to prioritize and balance time between cardio and resistance training. We also discuss the benefits of each and how they help with various goals. Chapters 0:06 Welcome to Deficient Vegans 0:13 Exciting Chocolate News 2:23 Ikea's Plant-Based Venture 4:01 YeastUP's Protein Innovation 5:36 Cardio vs. Weight Lifting 9:42 Combining Cardio and Lifting 12:43 The Weight Loss Dilemma 18:33 Muscle Building Goals 21:42 Myth of the Week: B12 Sources 28:06 Protein Deficient Vegan...
31
Dec. 22, 2025

From Performance to Policy: A Switch4Good Conversation (ft. Lucy Whitney)

This week we have a guest! We speak with Lucy Whitney from Switch4Good about the ways they educate, lead, and support students, athletes, and others that are looking to ditch dairy for plant-based alternatives. Links Mentioned in the Episode Adam Schiff's PROTEIN Act and the Congress tracker link Chapters 0:03 Welcome to Deficient Vegans Podcast 5:06 Introducing Lucy Whitney from Switch4Good 17:26 The FISCAL Act and School Lunch Reform 19:36 Plant-Based Athletes Program Overview 24:17 Getting I...
30
Dec. 15, 2025

Vegan Gifting Guide - Fitness & Nutrition Edition

In this episode we go through some things to avoid, along with some recommendations, for vegans getting or buying gifts for the holidays. We focus mostly on kitchen and gym equipment that helps support a healthy lifestyle, but we do discuss other categories briefly as well. PDV Video on Best Vegan Protein Sources Chapters 0:04 Holiday Gifts for Vegans 3:05 Vegan News and Innovations 3:16 Navigating Gifting as a New Vegan 4:57 Tips for Shopping for Vegans 18:58 Recommended Gifts for Vegans 19:09...
29
Dec. 8, 2025

So Your Kid Wants to Go Vegan

Send this this one to the parents you know with a kid who's decided to go vegan or vegetarian. We discuss everything from mindset to practical tips and advice on how to help support a new vegan in your family or in your life. Best Vegan Protein Sources Database Chapters 00:02 Introduction 01:45 Vegan Bodybuilding News 02:54 Restaurant Closures 04:05 Supporting Your Vegan Child 08:01 Concerns of Parents 10:11 Addressing Health Concerns 12:18 Social Aspects of Veganism 13:47 Cooking Challenges ...
28
Dec. 1, 2025

Protein vs Fiber

This week we dive into the discussion around protein and fiber. Information online pits these two nutrients against each other, but do you really need to choose between them? We don't think so! We also talk about the differences between vegan and plant-based in our myth of the week. Chapters 0:04 Welcome to Deficient Vegans 0:38 New Season of Stranger Things 1:44 Protecting Endangered Dolphins 3:23 Social Media and AI Trolls 5:34 Protein Versus Fiber Debate 9:48 The Importance of Fiber 12:36 U...
27
Nov. 24, 2025

Finding Vegan Protein At Restaurants

In this episode, we talk about how to find restaurants with reliable vegan protein options. Whether that is fast food, road trips, or trying to find sit-down restaurants near you with protein options, we've got you covered with our time-tested tips and tricks. The same ideas will also work for just finding more general vegan options, even if you aren't specifically seeking out protein. Chapters 0:02 Welcome to Deficient Vegans Podcast 0:18 News Updates 3:26 Thoughts on Wicked 4:12 Main Topic: F...
26
Nov. 17, 2025

Surviving the Holidays as a Vegan (Without Losing Your Mind)

The holidays are here, which means travel, family gatherings, work potlucks, awkward conversations, and the annual tradition of someone proudly offering you a dish that’s “definitely vegan” (it’s not). In this episode of Deficient Vegans, we’re breaking down how to survive the holiday season as a vegan with your sanity, nutrition, and boundaries intact. YouTube - High Protein Pizza Dough and Fresh Vegan Mozzarella Chapters 0:02 Introduction to Holiday Survival 0:25 New News Update 2:43 Navigat...
25
Nov. 10, 2025

Hitting Your Protein Goals on a Budget

In this episode, we talk about hitting your protein goals on a budget as money is tight with the holidays coming up. We introduce a new interactive protein database that features over 200 vegan protein sources, sortable by cost, protein content, and other criteria. We also discuss the latest news, including Miyoko's Creamery's potential comeback and a new sunflower-based meat substitute from Brazil. Finally, we break down some of the cheapest and most expensive protein sources and bust the myth ...
24
Nov. 3, 2025

Does meal and protein timing really matter?

In this episode, we talk about timing for meals, protein, supplements, and macros. Which ones matter and which ones don't? We also tackle our myth of the week! Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats Video Chapters 0:03 Welcome to the Podcast 0:14 Meal and Protein Timing 4:16 Protein Timing Myths 10:16 Macro and Supplement Timing 17:21 Timing vs. Overall Intake 18:13 Myth of the Week 22:11 The Soy Stigma 25:12 Upcoming Episode Teaser How to Get In Touch ⭐️ Deficient Vegans Discord ⭐️ Deficient Vega...
23
Oct. 27, 2025

Stocking Your High Protein Vegan Pantry

In this episode, we embark on an essential discussion about stocking a high-protein vegan pantry and fridge. There is a focus on underscoring the importance of having accessible and diverse sources of protein at home to streamline meal prep and achieve nutrition goals. TVP Apple Cinnamon Muffins on YouTube Chapters 00:02 Welcome to the Deficient Vegans Podcast 01:14 Stocking Your Vegan Pantry 09:58 Exploring TVP Options 15:08 High-Protein Vegan Snacks 16:48 Protein Sources in the Pantry 22:16 ...
22
Oct. 20, 2025

What equipment do you really need for home workouts?

In this episode, we dive into the essentials of building a home gym and what workout equipment can optimize at-home fitness routines. The conversation begins with a reminder that fitness is a personal journey, and the equipment you need largely depends on your individual goals and fitness level. High Protein Pumpkin Spice Seitan YouTube Video Chapters 00:05 Home Workout Essentials 00:16 Equipment for Beginners 02:25 Intermediate Gear Upgrades 04:23 Advanced Strength Training 07:11 Cardio Equipm...
21
Oct. 13, 2025

Tracking Progress: Tools and Apps for Vegan Fitness

In episode 21 of the Deficient Vegans podcast, we discuss various methods for tracking fitness and nutrition progress. We explore the utility of tracking apps, tips for maintaining motivation, and avoiding burnout from over-tracking. The episode highlights specific apps for different activities, such as Strong and Hevy for lifting, and fitness wearables like Fitbit. Nutrition tracking and the importance of monitoring macros and micronutrients, especially for vegans, are covered. We caution again...
20
Oct. 6, 2025

Busting Fitness Myths

In this episode of the revamped Deficient Vegans Podcast, formerly known as the VeGAINS Fitness and Nutrition Podcast, we discuss our journey to offering vegan fitness and recipe content. We also debunk common fitness myths and respond to a listener Q&A on protein powder recommendations. EarthChimp 10% Discount Code Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Deficient Vegans Podcast 00:27 The Evolution of Our Brand 01:00 From Recipes to Fitness: Our Journey 01:58 The Emergence of Protein Deficient Vegan 04:...
19
Sept. 1, 2025

State of the Podcast Update - Future Plans

Just a brief update about the future of the podcast. The name will be changing to "Deficient Vegans" on Monday, October 6th. We just wanted to give some info and a heads up so you all aren't surprised when you see the change in your podcast app! For YouTube listeners, the new channel for the podcast will be at: https://www.youtube.com/@DeficientVegans How to Get In Touch ⭐️ Deficient Vegans Discord ⭐️Deficient Vegans WebsiteInstagramYouTubeMuscle Deficient Vegan - Fitness & Nutrition Webs...
18
Sept. 16, 2024

A Beginner's Guide to Resistance Training

In this episode of the Deficient Vegans Podcast, we give a comprehensive introduction to resistance training. We explain what resistance training is and how you can start with simple exercises using body weight or small weights. We discuss the key benefits, including muscle growth, bone density improvement, and enhanced mobility. The episode covers various training tools like resistance bands, dumbbells, barbells, and machines, and emphasizes the importance of having a program and sticking to it...
17
Aug. 27, 2024

Exploring Basic Exercise Types for Beginners

In this episode, we discuss different forms of exercise suitable for those new to fitness. We cover flexibility, mobility, strength training, and cardio, providing valuable insights and practical tips. They also highlight yoga, Pilates, P90X, and even exercise video games as effective ways to get started. The episode concludes with recent vegan fitness news and a discussion on homemade vegan recipes including pizza sauce and cashew mozzarella. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to VeGAINS Fitness and ...
16
Aug. 12, 2024

Why and How to Start Moving More Every Day

What if simply strolling around your neighborhood could drastically improve your health? In this invigorating episode of the Deficient Vegans Podcast, we explore why mid-year is the perfect time to reboot your fitness goals just in time for summer. Learn about the benefits of daily walking, including "cozy cardio," a delightful and enjoyable way to get your steps in. We underscore the importance of daily movement for heart health, cardio endurance, and bone strength, while also tackling the hidd...