Plant-based whole food diets are becoming popular, and there are stats to prove it. There is an increase in in people adopting plant-based diets across the globe.
Increased awareness about one’s health, compassion with animals, and sensitivity towards nature conservation among the younger generations has increased the popularity of plant-based lifestyle. On the grounds of morality and environmental conservation, more and more celebrities, sports stars and well-known athletes have made the decision to go green and follow a plant-based diet.
Infographic Click Here | Initially, there were concerns whether plant-based diets are enough to sustain the nutritional needs of the sports stars. But dieticians and several nutrition academies have supported plant-based lifestyles for sports stars. In fact, recent research from the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that plant-based diets can improve the performance of athletes and sports stars whether they are lifting weights or running miles. |
A lot of sport stars have reported that going plant-based have worked well for them. On that note, here is a look at some famous sports persons who are showing the world that strong bodies do not necessarily need animal meat!
- Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 Racing Driver
The five-time Formula One World Champion racing driver Lewis Hamilton follows a plant-based diet since 2017. Hamilton is a known activist who has repeatedly expressed his concerns for the environment. He adopted this lifestyle to avoid damaging the planet, to boycott animal cruelty and to live healthy. Since turning to plant-based diet, he has managed to win yet another F1 Driver’s Championship, making him the second most successful F1 driver in history.
- William sisters, Tennis players
The most successful tennis players of all times, the Williams sisters also subscribe to the plant-based lifestyle.
The elder of the Williams sisters, Venus adopted plant-based diet when she was diagnosed with a rare condition in 2011. However, the seven-time grand slam winner gives credits to her plant-based diet for huge improvement in her general health and her subsequent return to the sport.
In solidarity with her sister Venus, her younger one Serena also adopted the same diet. She has even won multiple titles since converting in 2014. After winning the 2017 Australian Open, while eight weeks pregnant she claimed that switching to a plant-based lifestyle helped in her performances.
- Nate Diaz – UFC Fighter
The welterweight fighter Nate Diaz has been on a plant-based diet since he was 18. Mixed martial arts (MMA) is one among the most physical sports around. While sticking to a plant-based diet, Nate still fights in UFC – the biggest MMA organization in the world and is ranked as the #7 UFC welterweight fighters. After beating McGregor in UFC196, he said that his diet played a significant role in his success. While most elite MMA fighters stick to animal -based diet, Nate Diaz is the best proof that vegans can also compete in such physical sports. Nate along with his older brother Nick believes that following the plant-based lifestyle makes you a ‘smarter and more intelligent fighter’.
- Alex Morgan- Soccer player
US women’s soccer star Alex Morgan also follows a plant-based diet. She is the co-captain of the national team and is one of the highest-paid female athletes in the country. According to her interview for USA Today, she credits her plant based diet for making her stronger and for quicker recovery times. Besides the World Cup, Morgan is also an Olympic gold-medalist and novelist!
She adopted a plant-based lifestyle after starring in a companion animal campaign for PETA. She said, “I never thought it was possible I could be playing at an elite level as a professional athlete with a plant-based diet,”. She is now an active promoter of the plant-based lifestyle, espousing its benefits regularly.
- Virat Kohli – Cricketer
The India cricket team captain-Virat Kohli has redefined the meaning of fitness by switching to a plant-based diet. By adapting a plant-based lifestyle, he showed a remarkable fitness transformation. He said that the new diet not only made him lighter without losing muscle mass but also improved his digestive powers. He also mentioned that plant-based lifestyle offers a calming effect on his temperament. After witnessing a significant improvement in his game and health with plant-based diets, Kohli now promotes and advocates plant plant-based lifestyle; and he even owns a vegan restaurant!
And the list can go on! The success stories of sports stars after switching to plant-based diet have inspired more and more players to change their mindset towards plant-based food sources.
Reference:
- Lewis Hamilton Says Being Vegan Makes Him Feel the Best.
https://www.kinderworld.org/videos/strength/lewis-hamilton-vegan/
Accessed on: 06-11-2020. - Serena Williams’ talks Workout routine and Diet plan.
https://gc4women.org/2019/08/07/serena-williams-her-workout-and-diet-broken-down/
Accessed on: 06-11-2020. - Nate diaz’s vegan diet powers yet another UFC win.
https://www.livekindly.co/ufc-fighter-nate-diaz-wins-first-fight-3-years-vegan-diet/
Accessed on: 06-11-2020. - Vegan pro athletes.
https://www.peta.org/features/vegan-athletes-with-more-muscles-than-you/
Accessed on: 06-11-2020. - Indian Cricket Captain, Virat Kohli, Goes Vegan!.
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/indian-cricket-captain-virat-kohli-goes-vegan/
Accessed on: 06-11-2020.
