If you work out, know someone who works out, or watch people working out on TikTok, then you know of creatine. This sports supplement has been around for many years, but only recently became a social media superstar for men and women alike.
And if you’re following a plant-based diet, you might be seeing creatine pop up even more in your feed—and for good reason. Whether you’re crushing it at CrossFit, training for a marathon, or just trying to stay energized through your busy day, creatine could be one of the smartest supplements you add to your routine.
“Creatine is an amino acid that the body can use to create more ATP, which is the most readily available energy source during intense physical and mental activity,” explains Kim Yawitz, RD, a registered dietitian and gym owner in St. Louis, Mo. “The liver and kidneys produce creatine at a rate of one gram per day, and omnivores can double their creatine stores by eating animal sources of protein,” she says.
Here’s the thing: if you’re eating plants exclusively, you’re starting with lower creatine stores than someone who eats meat. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing—in fact, it might mean you’ll see even better results from supplementing.
Read More: 3 Health Benefits Of Creatine Besides Muscle Building
“The best way to boost creatine levels is to supplement, which can increase the amount of creatine in the body by up to 30 percent,” says Yawitz. And for plant-based eaters, that number can actually be higher—some studies show increases of up to 60-70% in vegetarians and vegans who supplement consistently.
But what about plant-based eaters? We’re glad you asked.
Why Plant-Based Eaters Should Consider Supplementing With Creatine
Creatine definitely isn’t just for meat-eaters. Plant-based eaters can benefit from supplementation just as much, if not more, than omnivores.
Creatine & Fitness
“You don’t need to eat meat to train hard,” says Yawitz. “Studies have consistently linked higher creatine levels with increased muscle mass and better performance in the gym, and taking five grams of creatine per day can increase creatine stores as much as 35 ounces of steak,” says Yawitz.
In fact, that’s why Yawitz—who owns a CrossFit gym—often recommends creatine supplements to her vegetarian strength athletes.
What This Means for Your Workouts
Think about those last few reps during a tough set of squats or the final sprint in your HIIT class. That’s when creatine really shines. It helps your muscles produce energy quickly, so you can:
-
- Push through an extra rep or two
-
- Recover faster between sets
-
- Maintain power during high-intensity intervals
-
- Build strength more effectively over time
And here’s something cool: research shows that vegetarians and vegans often see bigger improvements than meat-eaters when they start taking creatine. Why? Because their muscle stores start lower, there’s more room for improvement—kind of like filling an empty tank versus topping off one that’s already half full.
Real-World Results
A 2003 study found that vegetarians who took creatine gained significantly more lean muscle mass and showed greater improvements in strength compared to omnivores taking the same amount. We’re talking about measurable differences in just a few weeks.
If you’re training for performance—whether that’s a powerlifting meet, a Spartan race, or just wanting to nail your fitness goals—this is worth paying attention to.
Creatine & Bone Health
Bone health may be of particular concern to people who adhere to a vegan or vegetarian diet. “According to one large study, vegans have a 43 percent higher risk of bone fractures than omnivores. In addition to getting enough calcium and vitamin D, there’s also some evidence that creatine supplements could help increase bone density, but only when combined with strength training,” says Yawitz.
“The studies on creatine and bone mass haven’t looked at plant-based eaters, specifically. But it’s still another possible benefit of supplementing with creatine if you’re a vegan who lifts.”
Why Bone Density Matters
Your bones are living tissue that respond to the demands you place on them. When you lift weights, your bones get stronger—just like your muscles do. Creatine might help support this process by:
-
- Enhancing your ability to lift heavier weights (which stresses bones in a good way)
-
- Supporting the cells that build new bone tissue
-
- Improving your overall training capacity
This doesn’t mean creatine replaces calcium or vitamin D—you still need those. But it could be a helpful addition to your bone health toolkit, especially if you’re doing resistance training regularly.
Read More: 6 Factors That Impact Your Body’s Creatine Stores
Creatine & Brain Health
Creatine may be a boon for your noggin, too. “Because vegan eaters don’t eat meat, fish, and animal products—and these are the main sources of creatine—levels of creatine in the muscles are lower in vegetarians,” says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, an inclusive plant-based dietitian and owner of Master the Media in Stamford, CT. “Thus, supplementing with creatine can positively affect brain function. In vegetarians, creatine supplementation led to better memory, according to a study in The British Journal of Nutrition.“
Echoing Gorin, Yawitz adds: “Your muscles aren’t the only parts of your body that use ATP for energy—the brain also uses up quite a bit when you’re engaged in mentally challenging tasks.”
Simply put, creatine supplements help your brain to generate more ATP. Accordingly, “studies have shown that taking them can improve memory and cognition in vegetarians.”
When Brain Benefits Really Show Up
You know those days when you’re running on less sleep, juggling multiple deadlines, or just feeling mentally foggy? That’s when creatine’s brain benefits might be most noticeable. Research suggests it may help with:
-
- Working memory and recall
-
- Processing speed when you’re tired
-
- Mental fatigue during long work sessions
-
- Focus during cognitively demanding tasks
The Plant-Based Brain Advantage
Here’s what’s interesting: your brain can actually make its own creatine, so plant-based eaters don’t necessarily have lower brain creatine levels than omnivores. But supplementing might still help because it gives your brain extra resources to work with during challenging times.
Think of it like this—your brain has a baseline, but when you’re stressed, studying, or pushing yourself mentally, having extra creatine available could make a difference.
Research shows vegetarians have better responses to creatine supplements
Another interesting thing to consider on the creatine front? People who abstain from eating animal products may fare better on creatine supplements. “Vegetarian eaters respond better to creatine supplementation versus omnivores, per a review study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,” says Gorin.
This “super-compensation” effect is pretty well-documented now. Because plant-based eaters start with creatine stores that are about 20-30% lower than meat-eaters, there’s more room for improvement when they supplement.
What “Better Response” Actually Means
Here’s what researchers have found when comparing vegetarians to omnivores who both take creatine:
-
- Bigger increases in muscle creatine stores (sometimes double the increase)
-
- Greater strength gains during resistance training
-
- More improvement in high-intensity exercise performance
-
- Larger gains in lean muscle mass over the same time period
One landmark study found that vegetarians supplementing with creatine increased their muscle phosphocreatine levels by 66%, compared to just 19% in omnivores. That’s a huge difference.
What This Means for You
If you’ve been on the fence about trying creatine because you’re plant-based, this should actually be encouraging news. You’re not at a disadvantage—in some ways, you might have an advantage when it comes to seeing results from supplementation.
What Kind of Creatine Should Plant-Based Eaters Buy?
Yawitz says that creatine monohydrate powder is the best option for plant-based eaters. “Most powders on the market are made without animal by-products, whereas capsules often contain gelatin,” she says.
Good news: Creatine monohydrate is almost always vegan. It’s made synthetically in a lab from non-animal sources, so you don’t have to worry about it conflicting with your ethics.
Why Creatine Monohydrate Is the Gold Standard
You’ll see lots of different types of creatine on the shelf—creatine HCl, buffered creatine, creatine ethyl ester. But here’s the thing: creatine monohydrate is the most researched form, and it’s the one that has proven results. It’s also usually the most affordable, which is a nice bonus.
Other forms might promise better absorption or fewer side effects, but the research doesn’t really back those claims up. Stick with what works.
Look for Third-Party Testing
One important thing to check: make sure your creatine has been third-party tested. Some supplements can contain contaminants like heavy metals. Look for certifications like:
-
- NSF Certified for Sport
-
- Informed Choice
-
- USP Verified
These certifications mean an independent lab has tested the product to make sure it contains what it says on the label and doesn’t contain anything harmful.
The Vitamin Shoppe’s BodyTech 100% Pure Creatine Monohydrate goes through 320 quality assurance steps and is verified by independent third-party laboratories—so you can trust you’re getting a pure, effective product.
How Much Should You Take?
Plant-based eaters interested in the health benefits of creatine can aim to drink five grams of creatine daily, Yawitz says. Mix it into your liquid of choice—it dissolves pretty easily in water, juice, or a protein shake.
“If you’re in a hurry to see results, however, ‘creatine loading’ can help you increase the amount of creatine in your muscles more quickly,” she says. “This consists of taking four-to-five grams of creatine five times per day for five-to-seven days, followed by maintenance doses of five grams per day.”
When Should You Take It?
Good question—and the answer might surprise you. Timing doesn’t matter as much as consistency. Some people like taking it post-workout with a meal, others prefer mixing it into their morning routine. The key is taking it every single day, even on rest days.
Your muscles store creatine over time, so think of it like filling a tank rather than fueling up before each workout.
Mixing It In
Creatine monohydrate is pretty versatile. You can:
-
- Stir it into your morning smoothie
-
- Mix it with your plant-based protein powder
-
- Add it to juice or coconut water
-
- Mix it with your pre- or post-workout drink
-
- Even stir it into oatmeal or yogurt (it doesn’t have much taste)
Some people notice it doesn’t dissolve perfectly in cold water, so warm or room-temperature liquids work a bit better.
The Bottom Line
If you’re eating a plant-based diet and you train hard, want to support your brain health, or simply want to optimize your body’s performance, creatine is one supplement that’s definitely worth considering. The science is solid, it’s safe for long-term use, and plant-based eaters often see great results.
Start with a simple creatine monohydrate powder, take 3-5 grams daily, and stay consistent. Whether you’re chasing PRs in the gym, trying to stay sharp at work, or just want to feel your best, creatine might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.