The organisers of this year’s Games, which take place in the summer, are aiming to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the event by 50 percent – and that includes meals. To help achieve this goal, 33 percent of the food in the Athletes’ Village restaurant will be plant-based, along with 60 percent of the snacking offer for the general public and 50 percent of the fare for the workforce. 

“Since the start of the project, we have wanted the Paris 2024 Games to be an opportunity to discover and promote a more responsible way of eating from an environmental point of view,” the president of Paris 2024, Tony Estanguet, said in a statement. “… From athletes, volunteers and collaborators to spectators and media, everyone will be able to experiment with a more plant-based diet during the Games.”

A step in the right direction

In total, some 13 million meals will be served during the course of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. While we don’t yet know how many of these will be vegan rather than vegetarian, with the menus still being finalized, the news is being viewed as a significant step forward in traditionally meat-mad France.

At the heart of the plant-based food provision will be the Nestlé-owned Garden Gourmet – one of the French leaders in the field – which will offer its products to everyone from athletes and spectators to staff.

As well as its vegetarian fare, the company’s existing range features several fully vegan options, including burgers, falafels, nuggets, fillets, and plant-based “tuna.” So, we wait to see if any of these make it onto the final Olympic menus.

“Garden Gourmet being an official supporter of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a significant achievement,” Marco Zanchi, head of Food France – Garden Gourmet, told Plant Based News (PBN). “This partnership is not only a great platform to promote plant-based products but also aims to encourage the adoption of a more plant-based and sustainable diet.”

How veganism is growing in the French capital

While France has not exactly been renowned in the past for its vegan provision, things at least seem to be heading in the right direction – certainly in the French capital at any rate.

According to the vegan and vegetarian discovery platform HappyCow, for instance, its overall number of listings for Paris has grown to 1,000 now – compared with 894 in 2022.  Furthermore, the number of fully vegan restaurants in the city has increased to 92 – against 88 in 2022.

Similarly, the number of vegan businesses (including shops, bakeries, cafés, B&Bs etc) is now at 160 – versus 150 in 2022. “Veganism is widely accepted in Paris, and people can freely express their dietary choice,” Ken Spector of HappyCow told PBN. “A number of regular restaurants offer vegan options, and in addition to all-vegan grocery, clothing/accessories, and cosmetic stores, mainstream supermarkets carry a variety of vegan products. High-end restaurants in the city are increasingly adapting to accommodate vegans too.”

More like this:

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• Vegan Wins Gold at Jiu-Jitsu Championships
• ‘Age Is Not A Limit’: Vegan Athlete, 66, Secures 1st Place In 48-Hour Ultramarathon

The post 2024 Olympics Set To Double Its Plant-Based Food Offering appeared first on Plant Based News.

Lewes LFC was founded in 2002 and is affiliated with the men’s Lewes FC. The club helped pioneer 100 percent fan and community ownership. Between 2002 and 2012, the team rapidly climbed the football pyramid and won promotion to the fourth-tier FA Women’s Premier League in 2012 thanks to an unbeaten season.

Lewes made history in 2017 when it announced it would pay its men’s and women’s teams equally, after launching its Equality FC initiative. Lewes LFC now play in the second-highest tier of women’s football, and so far its highest finish was fifth place in the Barclays Women’s Championship.

Vegan matchday experience

The Lewes Women’s football team has announced that its game against Durham on Sunday, January 21, will be completely plant-based. The vegan menu includes options such as vegan loaded fries, steakless pies, and vegan meatballs. Some of the more unique offerings are seaweed on chips, and creamy vegan chicken pie. The match will be sponsored by plant-based dog food company Omni, and canine attendees will also be catered for. For the rest of January, in tandem with Veganuary, the menu at the club will be 50 percent plant based.

As part of Lewes FC’s sustainability and community initiatives, men’s team midfielder Bradley Pritchard started a pitchside community garden. The yields of the garden provides food for the local community, and are used at free vegan cooking classes at the ground. Some of the food ingredients are contributing to the vegan food options that make up half of the club’s matchday menu.

Another win for vegans in Lewes and its surrounding areas is that the upcoming match against Durham will offer a special 20 percent discount for vegan fans.

Lewes FC’s Commercial Manager Stef McLoughlin, said in a statement: “Our vegan fans are passionate, full of purpose, and on a mission. It’s great to be able to dedicate our match against Durham to them to show our appreciation. We hope that this initiative brings more vegan fans to the club while also encouraging people to make kinder and more sustainable food choices.”

Jimmy Pierson, Director of ProVeg UK, praised the move from the football club, saying: “What a bold, exciting, and brilliant example of climate leadership this is from Lewes F.C – showing football fans how important our food choices are in the climate crisis.”  

Vegan athletes are game changers in sport and beyond

The conversation around the benefits of a vegan diet for sporting and athletic prowess has been gaining traction over the last decade. Elsewhere in British football, Forest Green Rovers became the first football team in the world to go plant-based in 2015. Owned by vegan and green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince, the club’s stadium only serves vegan food.

Argued by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi reportedly follows a largely plant-based diet during his football seasons. Ex-Arsenal and Real Betis player Hector Bellerin is completely vegan and has been spotted hanging out at London vegan food festival Vegan Nights on numerous occasions.

In tennis, two of the best athletes the sport has ever seen in Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have followed a similar approach to Messi, following a plant-based diet during training and playing seasons.

Interest in vegan athletic prowess had a huge upturn in 2018 thanks to the release of the documentary The Game Changers, which featured athletes such as record-breaking Formula One sportsman Lewis Hamilton, bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, Olympic weightlifter Kendrick Farris, and many more.

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The post Championship Football Team To Hold Vegan Match This Weekend appeared first on Plant Based News.

It’s now widely acknowledged that a plant-based diet can have huge benefits for sporting performance. As well as personal anecdotes and scientific research, mountains of trophies and medals are proving that veganism is a recipe for sporting success. In 2023, vegan and plant-based athletes won world championships and ultramarathons without supporting the cruelty of animal agriculture industries. Here are seven of the top achievements by vegans and plant-based eaters in sport in 2023.

Plant-based triumphs in sports in 2023

Whether running hundreds of miles or battling in brutal bare-knuckle fights, these athletes are all powered by plants. Living proof that vegans get enough protein, they are faster, stronger, and more successful on healthy plant-based diets.

Jaqueline Geihe

Vegan athlete Jaqueline Geihe won gold at the European Jiu-Jitsu Championships in October. She fought her way to the Adult blue belt Featherweight (56.5kg) category.

“I feel like it is important to see a vegan athlete winning competitions because even though there are already many amazing famous athletes and Guiness record holders on a plant-based diet, too many people still hold prejudices against individuals following this lifestyle,” Geihe told PBN.

Austin Meyer

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A post shared by Austin Meyer (@austinmeyerfilms)

In April, vegan ultra-runner Austin Meyer took first place at the Zion Ultra 100km (62 mile) race. This grueling ultramarathon saw athletes race around the Zion National Park in Utah, with only experienced ultra-runners eligible to compete.

After completing the course in just over 10 hours, Meyer told Plant Based News (PBN): “Eating a plant-based whole foods diet has allowed me to increase physical stress in training, and simultaneously, recover faster. This is due in part to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the food, which lead to reduced muscle damage.” 

Trishul Cherns

In July, a 66-year-old vegan athlete secured first place in a 48-hour ultramarathon in Massachusetts. Trishul Cherns, who ran 142.5 miles (229 kilometers), credited his plant-based diet for his success.

Cherns has broken more than 110 Canadian ultra-running records. In an interview, he told Canadian Running: “My success definitely comes from my diet. I’m a vegan, and that’s an anti-inflammatory diet. I’m trying to prevent inflammation in my body because these are stressful events, so I’m trying to make it as easy as possible.”

Lisa Gawthorne

The year 2023 has been quite a time for vegan athlete Lisa Gawthorne. In March, she won gold at the European Duathlon Championships. Then at the end of April, she brought home another gold medal from the Duathlon World Championships in Ibiza.

Vegan for more than 20 years, Gawthorne competes with “Go Vegan” emblazoned on her clothing. After her European Championship success, Gawthorne told PBN: “It’s my 20th veganniversary so what better way to celebrate that than with a European win to prove that veganism has a very valid place for supporting peak performance in sport, fitness, and athletics.”

Po Denman

In November, vegan fighter Po Denman became Thailand’s straw-weight bare-knuckle boxing champion. Now ranked as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, she credits her plant-based diet as improving her performance and training. 

“Not only did it fuel me for the fight night, but also throughout the training regime,” she is reported as saying. “I feel light and I can train hard. I never measure the exact amount of what I eat but I make sure that in a meal, I just have a variety of food.”

Vegan Strong PlantBuilt team

After last year’s success, the Vegan Strong PlantBuilt once again stole the show at the 84th Mr. America Sports Festival in Atlantic City. The plant-powered team took home 41 medals, including 32 first-place wins in Powerlifting, Strongman, CrossFit, and Kettlebell.

“Mr. America provided a great opportunity for us to prove that plants have all the protein you need to be strong and healthy and to fuel wins at the highest levels” said Giacomo Marchese, Vegan Strong PlantBuilt co-founder. “We more than doubled our wins from last year, and competitors asked how we were doing it.”

Novak Djokovic

Plant-based tennis player Novak Djokovic won his 24th major singles title in September. By lifting three of the four majors in 2023 – the Australian Open, French Open and US Open – the 36-year-old equalled Margaret Court’s record.

Djokovic has said that he cut out animal products after suffering from allergies since he was a child. He was listed as an executive producer on The Game Changers.

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The post 7 Times Plant-Based Athletes Triumphed In Sports In 2023 appeared first on Plant Based News.

“I feel like it is important to see a vegan athlete winning competitions because even though there are already many amazing famous athletes and Guiness record holders on a plant-based diet, too many people still hold prejudices against individuals following this lifestyle,” Geihe told Plant Based News.

The 25 year-old, from Germany, has been vegan since 2018, when she encountered a Cube of Truth event by Anonymous for the Voiceless. These events involve showing footage of exploited animals and engaging with the public.

“Ever since, I try my absolute best to not contribute any money to this cruel industry,” said Geihe. “I am vegan for environmental and ethical reasons. I want to avoid as much unnecessary harm and cruelty on this earth as possible. The benefits for my athletic performance are just an advantageous and welcome by-product.”

Veganism and Jiu Jitsu

Martial arts, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), are often dominated by men. Given the deep-seated association between masculinity and eating meat, this can lead to misconceptions about the best nutrition for martial artists.

“Especially in male-dominated environments like martial arts gyms there is still a persistent misconception that eating dead animals or drinking milk that is meant for the animal’s babies is the best way to achieve athletic greatness,” said Geihe. “There’s no room to even try touch upon the environmental or ethical effects this diet has.”

Although she likes to let people see a vegan succeeding in BJJ, she says she tries “not to make my vegan lifestyle too big of a discussion in my training environment, or anywhere I feel like there is no genuine interest … I do not enjoy wasting my energy on mostly uninformed or outdated arguments.”

But there are vegan BJJ practitioners who are male. Geihe’s success comes a year after another vegan Jorge Pastor, won gold in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Santa Cruz International Open. Pastor has said that the philosophy of the BJJ academy where he trains is: “Love animals. Take care of the earth. Help each other.”

David Meyer is an eight-time world champion and one of the first non-Brazilians to reach black belt in the sport. He has been vegan since 2000. Now in his 50s, he attributes a lot of his ongoing success in BJJ to his diet.

Outside of BJJ, Meyer works in animal advocacy. He is co-founder and CEO of Humane America Animal Foundation and founded Adopt-a-Pet.com, the world’s largest non-profit companion animal adoption website. “We assist 15000 animal shelters in North America to help get their pets into good homes,” he told greatveganathletes.com. “It’s just an outgrowth of my love for all animals.”

Plant-based gains

Geihe says she gets all the nutrition she needs from plant-based foods for her training.

“Leading up to competitions I enjoy eating any well-prepared tofu, tempeh and snacks made with peanut butter,” said Geihe. “If I’m not weight-cutting, I just love preparing a whole lot of lentil soup as it fuels me perfectly and leaves plenty of time to train during the most crucial weeks.”

Fighters following plant-based diets can be found in all kinds of martial arts. Most famously, UFC champions Nick and Nate Diaz (the latter of whom featured in documentary The Game Changers) follow plant-based diets while preparing for fights to improve their performance.

In 2021, plant-based boxer Claressa Shields earned herself the title of GWOAT – Greatest Woman of All Time – after becoming the first female to win an undisputed championship in two weight classes. Former champion boxer Melanie Fraunschiel has been vegan since 2014.

Plant-based diets are increasingly popular among martial artists. Many who cut animal products out of their diets have found that it has reduced inflammation, sped up recovery time, and improved their endurance.

There is scientific evidence for the benefits of healthy plant-based diets for athletic performance, particularly in competitive settings. They help to lower body fat, which can boost strength and power while allowing athletes such as fighters to stay in lower weight classes. Upping your consumption of fruit and vegetables can indeed help with inflammation, allowing muscles to recover faster.

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• Meet The Vegan Athletes Shutting Down Stereotypes At This Year’s ‘Mr. America’ Contest
• Basketball Legend John Salley On Why All NBA Athletes Should Go Plant-Based

The post Vegan Wins Gold at Jiu-Jitsu Championships appeared first on Plant Based News.

Cheddar is a town located in Somerset, England, and is known as being the birthplace of cheddar cheese. The partnership marks the released of new Violife product “Cheddarton,” which is said to be a realistic plant-based alternative to cheddar. The players in the 131-year-old football club will be encouraged to embrace a “more plant-based lifestyle” with the help of ex-England player and vegan Karen Carney.

“I turned vegan in 2018 and noticed the positive change immediately both in my health and performance on the football pitch when playing for both club and country,” said Carney. “The perception of the plant-based diet is that you will miss out on certain foods but thankfully Violife means I never miss out on my cheesy favorites like pizza and cheese on toast.“ 

The nation’s favorite cheese

Cheddar is the most popular cheese in Britain, with research from Violife finding that 58 percent of the population cite it as their favorite. Around 330,000 tonnes are eaten each year. 

Violife’s research also found that 41 percent of the nation said they would miss cheese too much to go plant-based. In addition, it discovered that 23 percent of people have ended their plant-based diet due to the “irresistibility” of cheese. Violife has stated that it hopes this partnership will demonstrate “how easy it is to go plant based, and still stay cheesy, starting right on cheddar’s home turf.”

“Living and growing up in Cheddar, cheese is in the players’ blood,” commented Kieran Webster, Captain of Cheddar AFC. “We know what’s key to making the cheesiest, gooiest dishes around, so if we can go plant-based, switching Cheddar for Cheddarton, anyone can!”

Cheddarton is said to mirror the taste and texture of cheddar, while also grating and melting in a similar way. It’s made with a coconut oil base, and is said to have half the carbon emissions and occupy two-thirds less land than dairy products. 

The problem with dairy

As well as being responsible for around four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions – and contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution – dairy production comes with significant ethical costs.

Cows used in the dairy industry need to have a baby to produce milk, and they will be artificially inseminated once a year. Each time they give birth, they will go through the trauma of having their baby taken from them so humans can take their milk. 

They have been selectively bred to produce much more milk than they naturally would, which takes a huge toll on their bodies. When they are considered “spent” (no longer producing enough milk), they will be slaughtered for cheap meat. 

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The post Cheddar Town Football Club Teams Up With Vegan Cheese Brand appeared first on Plant Based News.

Hamilton was born in January 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, in the UK. His interest in cars stems back to childhood, when his father bought him a radio-controlled car when he was five years old. He was given a go-kart the following year, and very quickly began winning races and cadet class championships. 

The star has spoken regularly about the importance of diet and lifestyle in regards to animal welfare and the environment. Here’s everything you need to know about his vegan journey. 

Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?

Hamilton is indeed vegan, and it’s thought that he adopted the lifestyle back in 2017 after learning about the reality of animal agriculture from a vegan friend he met in New York. Later that year, he opened up about his reasoning to the BBC. 

“The human race, what we are doing to the world … the pollution coming from the amount of cows that are being produced is incredible. The cruelty is horrible and I don’t necessarily want to support that and I want to live a healthier life.”

According to Vanity Fair, doctors told Hamilton that he wouldn’t be able to get enough protein to support his career on a plant-based diet. Many people believe that protein is hard to come by in vegan food – this is despite the fact that many athletes abstain from animal products. 

Hamilton’s experience was wildly different to doctors’ predictions, however. “I’ve won five world titles since then,” he said. “I’ve been more consistent than I ever was in the past. So it just takes proving people wrong. And that’s what I did.”

Lewis Hamilton’s animal advocacy

Hamilton has regularly used social media to raise awareness about animal issues. He previously told his followers that “Every bit of meat, chicken, or fish you eat, every bit of leather or fur you wear, has come from an animal that has been tortured, pulled away from their families and brutally killed.”

In 2019, he spoke out about the cruelty of whale hunting in the Faroe Islands, a “tradition” that dates back around 1,000 years. “How are any of these humans just standing there thinking this is ok,” he wrote alongside a video of the practice. “This is not in anyway shape or form ok. This is disgusting and Denmark, you need to put a stop to this!”

In the same year, he shared a graphic video of the reality of the leather industry, which sees cows killed so their skin can be used in coats, bags, and other fashion items. “Woke up feeling good today but this has just broke my spirit. This is so graphic, so barbaric,” he wrote. Hamilton has previously urged his employer, Mercedes, to ditch leather and move towards a vegan alternative. 

Hamilton was listed as an executive producer on the hit Netflix documentary The Game Changers. The film explores the health benefits of a vegan diet, with a particular focus on men and athletes. He also has a vegan dog, named Roscoe, and has publicly endorsed the benefits of feeding dogs plant-based diets. “Since [Roscoe] has gone vegan, his coat is much softer, his swollen paws have healed up, he is no longer limping with the pain of arthritis and his breathing has opened up. Super happy with the result and he is too,” he said.

Lewis Hamilton PETA controversy

Hamilton has worked with PETA, and has also been praised by the organization many times for his activism. In late 2022, however, the star hit headlines after he was slammed by the charity for what it described as a failure to speak out about dog cruelty perpetrated by Formula 1’s parent company, Liberty Media.

The company sponsored the Iditarod, which is a 1,000-mile race in Alaska in which over 150 dogs have reportedly died. The competition sees animals forced to pull sleds through some of the most extreme weather conditions on the planet.

PETA president Ingrid Newkirk wrote a letter to Hamilton, which stated: “We know you do care about dogs, so please don’t continue to stand idly by as animals continue to suffer or your silence will be taken as complicity. A word from you could save dogs every bit as precious as your Roscoe.”

In 2023, Hamilton was confronted by a PETA activist during an appearance alongside the Toto Wolff, the CEO of Mercedes, at the Forbes Iconoclast Summit. The activist held up a sign saying: “Iditarod 150+ Dead Dogs And Counting.”

“Lewis, I love you and respect you, and I know that your companionship with your dog demonstrates the love you have for animals,” the activist said.

“I beg you, please. We are begging you, please. We know that you don’t want dogs to suffer. The Iditarod does that. The Iditarod has a long-standing history, long and tragic history.”

Lewis Hamilton and Neat Burger

In 2019, it was announced that Hamilton had invested in a vegan fast food restaurant called Neat Burger. The UK-based company is thought to be the first international burger chain, and it’s also been backed by Leonardo DiCaprio. At the time of writing, there are a number of branches in London, as well as one in NYC, and one in Dubai. Bosses are also said to be eyeing up further locations in Italy and the Middle East. 

“The response to Neat Burger since we opened has been incredible,” Hamilton previously said in a press statement. “I’m really proud of the boundaries we have been able to push in this space, and the plans for expansion are really exciting.”

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The post Is Lewis Hamilton Vegan? A History Of His Animal Advocacy appeared first on Plant Based News.

Earlier this month, runners took on a 1.9-mile perimeter loop trail in Windsor as part of the eighth edition of the Notchview Ultra. Cherns’ event kicked off on July 8, and according to organizers, participants endured heat, high humidity, and nearly 24 hours of rain during their races.

Cherns is from Hamilton in Canada but now lives in New York. His running career, so far, has spanned more than four decades. During this time, he has raced more than 46,000 miles (74,000 kilometers) – not including training – with some single events covering 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) in length.

Cherns has broken more than 110 Canadian ultrarunning records, and in 2021, he polished off his 300th ultramarathon.

Rise of vegan ultrarunners

In a new interview, Cherns spoke to Canadian Running about his most recent victory in Massachusetts. “My success definitely comes from my diet,” he told the publication. “I’m a vegan, and that’s an anti-inflammatory diet. I’m trying to prevent inflammation in my body because these are stressful events, so I’m trying to make it as easy as possible.”

It’s a growingly common approach in the sporting world, as the health benefits of plant-based eating become more widely understood. Earlier this year, fellow vegan ultrarunner Austin Meyer also credited the anti-inflammatory nature of his diet as key to his success, saying that eating whole plant foods allows him to recover more quickly.

Similarly, in April, longtime vegan athlete Lisa Gawthorne said her diet helped her secure gold in the European duathlon championships the month prior.

‘Age is not a limit’

Speaking to Canadian Running, Cherns added that “meditation and spirituality” are also integral parts of his athletic career. “Inner peace and stillness give me strength,” said the runner, who is also a certified massage therapist and president of the Global Organization of Multi-Day Ultramarathoners (GOMU).

Cherns hopes his triumphs can act as inspiration for others, and as a reminder that “age is not a limit.”

“I still feel 30 inside, and I’m beating guys that are 20, 30, 40 years younger than me. So I think the message is, no matter what your age is, keep going and keep doing what you’re doing,” the athlete explained.

“I want to keep pushing my goals so that running is all a new adventure for me. I’ve run more than 300 ultras – in the next five years I’d like to bring that to 500,” he said. “Ultimately, can I do 1,000 ultra marathons in my lifetime? You know, that’d be cool.”

“I’m trying to go for the stars. There’s no reason why you can’t go for the stars, no matter what age you are.”

—

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The post ‘Age Is Not A Limit’: Vegan Athlete, 66, Secures 1st Place In 48-Hour Ultramarathon appeared first on Plant Based News.

The famed Serbian tennis player is currently ranked number two in singles by the Association of Tennis Players. He has won a total of 23 Grand Slam titles, and is one of the most well known sportspeople in the world. 

As he returns to Wimbledon, London, for the 2023 tournament – here’s everything you need to know about his diet and lifestyle. 

Is Djokovic vegan? 

It’s true that Djokovic is thought to follow a mostly plant-based diet. But that doesn’t mean that the tennis player is vegan. 

Veganism is an all-encompassing philosophy against animal use and exploitation that extends to every aspect of your lifestyle. People practicing veganism will not, for example, wear wool or silk, and avoid toiletries and household cleaning products tested on animals. 

Djokovic has stated that he avoids animal foods, but he has previously distanced himself from the term vegan. After beating Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2019, Djokovic opened up about his diet to the press in an interview with US journalist Graham Bensinger. He said that he doesn’t use the label because of “misinterpretation of the word vegan.” He added: “I do eat plant-based, and it’s been for many years.” 

In a YouTube clip that has one million views, Djokovic stated that he cut out animal products after suffering from allergies since he was a child. A medical test found that these allergies were predominantly to gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. After eliminating these foods from his diet, he says that he immediately felt better. “I don’t have allergies that I used to have any more. And I like it,” he said. 

Djokovic cuts out meat

Soon after, he says that he cut out red meat (including lamb, pig meat, and cow meat). He claimed that animal flesh slowed him down, stating: “Eating meat was hard on my digestion and that took a lot of essential energy that I need for my focus, for recovery, for the next training session, and for the next match.”

Djokovic’s continued endorsement of animal-free diets meant led him to get involved with 2018 documentary The Game Changers. He was listed as an executive producer on the vegan film, which espoused the benefits of plant-based eating for men and athletes. The film also features the likes of James Cameron, Jackie Chan, and Lewis Hamilton.

What Djokovic eats in a day

The athlete has stated he doesn’t eat foods that take too long to digest, and has said that he “prefers to keep things light.” He usually starts his day with three liquids – hot water with lemon, celery juice, as well as a green smoothie. He packs the smoothie full of “superfoods,” including fruit, algae, and supplements. The sports pro claims that this gives him “mental clarity.”

For lunch, he will generally eat a salad packed with whole grains (such as quinao or wild rice), sweet potato, and regular potato. Dinner will follow a similar pattern. 

Following a plant-based diet as an athlete

It’s often thought that being a successful athlete requires you to eat a diet high in animal products. Djokovic is just one of a number of sportspeople to be challenging this stereotype.

A plant-based strength team named PlantBuilt competed at last year’s Mr. America, with many crediting their diets as their key to success. Well-known strongman Patrik Baboumian, who appeared on The Game Changers, is also vegan. Back in May, vegan athlete Lisa Gawthorne won the Duathlon World Champion title – just weeks after taking home gold at the European Championship.

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The post Is Novak Djokovic Vegan?  appeared first on Plant Based News.

Shieff ditched his plant-based diet in 2019 over concerns it was negatively impacting his health. The freerunner was previously a big name in the vegan community, as his athletic ability shut down stereotypes that humans need meat to be healthy and strong.

The media, which often showcases anti-vegan sentiment, therefore appeared to jump at the chance to promote his belief that plant-based diets actually harmed his health. Shieff spoke to ITV daytime show This Morning about veganism making him “sick,” and told The Times that killing an animal was the “next step” in his omnivorous journey. 

Tim Shieff apologizes

In a new YouTube video, titled An Apology for My Denouncement of Veganism, Shieff said he was wrong in his view that veganism affected his health. Instead, he believes that his health problems were due to unresolved issues from his childhood and the physical effect they were having on his body. 

“I tried to solve everything by changing what I was putting into my body, and when it didn’t work, I tried to blame the things that I was inputting,” he said. “What I had never considered was how my emotional state was affecting my body, my organs, and limiting its ability to digest food and absorb nutrients.

“In the same way we all know stress affects the body’s ability to function. I have a lot of unhealed emotions from my childhood that I didn’t realize were still there,” Shieff said. “I have tried to let go of, but letting go simply didn’t work.”

‘The Divine Truth’

He explained that he has discovered the power of Divine Truth, a religious movement based in Queensland, Australia. He said this organization has offered him “perspective on battles with diet and health, that no one else had given me up until that point.”

Shieff finished the video by saying: “I can now see a way that veganism is possible for me, and others, and that if veganism didn’t appear to work for me, then it may very well have been my issue with an emotional cause, and not the diet’s issue. So with that said, I would like to publicly apologize for my denouncement of veganism.”

He continued: “I’d like to thank the teachings of Divine Truth… for helping me to start to see myself and the true creation of my pain with much more clarity. And for a path to heal it on. I’d like to thank God for designing a loving world with the opportunity to do so.”

Support for Tim Shieff

A number of viewers have offered words of support to Shieff for his admission and apology. 

“You predominantly got me into veganism, it’s been seven years now,” wrote one. “You may have said some wayward things and followed some unconventional pursuits, and as an atheist myself I’m unable to relate to your beliefs – but I have and always will see you as a good person. Whatever path you follow, I’m forever grateful to you dude and wish you all the best.”

Another added that he was “one of the most honest and genuine guys on social media.”

Watch Plant Based News’ video on ex-vegans below:

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The race saw Gawthorne fly to Ibiza to compete in her age group at the World Triathlon Duathlon Championships. Along with 26 other athletes, she completed a 4.8km run, followed by a 19km bike ride, with a further 3km run to finish. 

Gawthorne crossed the line with a time of 1:15:17. She finished one minute and six seconds ahead of the second-place competitor and was crowned World Age Group Champion (category 40-44 Female AG Sprint). Conversely, in 2022, Gawthorne took bronze at the same event.

“I am so happy; I really didn’t expect this one,” Gawthorne said in a statement. “It was amazing to become European Champion, but this is a dream of dreams to go one step further, taking a world champion title in my age group amongst the best of the best in the world.”

A recipe for success

Alongside two major career highlights, Gawthorne is also celebrating 20 years as a vegan in 2023. 

Crediting her cruelty-free lifestyle as having a hugely positive impact on her athleticism, the world champion always competes in clothing with pro-vegan messaging emblazoned on it. PETA UK and “Go Vegan” logos feature prominently, as do images from Veganuary and the Vegan Society. 

Speaking exclusively with Plant Based News, Gawthorne revealed that her dietary race prep ahead of the World Championships included whole foods and a vegan pizza.

“I normally opt for pasta but all the restaurants were so busy that pizza was all I could get,” she explained. “But the pizza gives a similar carb boost as pasta or rice the night before a race.”

Gawthorne says that she turned vegan for animal welfare reasons and that improved sporting performance was simply a nice benefit. In addition, her advocacy and prowess have also inspired many GB teammates, plus overseas competitors, to go vegan.

Chasing more vegan athletic victories

With two victories in the bag, Gawthorne plans to enjoy a period of softer training before going on to focus on running. She intends to chase new personal bests across 5k and 10k races.

The post Vegan Duathlon Athlete Crowned World Champion appeared first on Plant Based News.

The ultramarathon saw athletes racing around the Zion National Park in Utah, in the shadows of towering sandstone cliffs. Considered a difficult route, only experienced ultra-runners with a half-ultramarathon already under their belt were eligible to compete.

Meyer – a documentary filmmaker and photographer – completed the run with support from both his partner and coach. Upon finishing the race, he took to social media to thank event organizers, and express gratitude for the opportunity to learn more about himself during the run.

Ultra-running as a vegan

Discussing his five years as a vegan, Meyer notes that it is now fundamental to his training. Moreover, it plays a crucial part in everything he does before, during, and after a race. 

“On the physical side, ultrarunning is a very demanding sport. Training becomes a cycle of physical stress and recovery, the quality of which are the variables that determine how much I can grow and improve as an athlete,” Meyer told Plant Based News. 

“Eating a plant-based whole foods diet has allowed me to increase physical stress in training, and simultaneously, recover faster. This is due in part to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the food, which lead to reduced muscle damage.”

In recent years, the fitness and health benefits of plant-based nutrition have become more widely understood. If animal protein was once considered the only option for serious contenders, a slew of vegan athletes now challenge the misconception, many of whom seek to crush outmoded stereotypes.

Finding a higher purpose

For Meyer, his veganism also unlocked his discovery of a purpose. He claims that ending animal exploitation is his calling and that as an athlete, he represents an alternative viewpoint that can help achieve this.

“In a world where billions of animals are killed for food every year, and billions of marketing dollars are poured into campaigns linking the consumption of animal products to masculinity and improved athletic performance, my running provides a counter-narrative – that we can thrive and compete as plant-powered athletes,” he said.

This idea of disrupting the status quo provides extra motivation when a race inevitably starts to get tough, Meyer says. He adds that if his athletic performance changes just one person’s opinion of veganism, that’s enough to keep pushing.

“Ending animal exploitation is my purpose. That purpose fosters motivation. That motivation helps me endure a greater perception of effort. And that leads to better performance,” the Zion 100km winner concluded.

The post Vegan Ultra-Runner Wins Zion 100KM Desert Trail Race appeared first on Plant Based News.

The two first collaborated in 2020 when Green Cuisine was the team’s official sponsor. Now, in the run-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, they are curating an educational program together.

Dubbed Get Set to Go Green, Team GB says the program aims to educate children, parents, and teachers “on how easy, tasty, and nutritious it can be to incorporate plant-based options into everyday meals.”

Notably, the program aims to provide more than 25,000 primary school teachers in the UK with 18 downloadable multimedia resources. These will include videos and empowering challenges for children aged seven to 11 to participate in.

“We are incredibly proud to continue working with Green Cuisine as we head towards Paris 2024,” Tim Ellerton, commercial director at Team GB said in a statement. “Environmental sustainability is a huge focus for us. We look forward to working together to showcase the environmental benefits of opting for plant-based foods, as well as empowering children to build green, healthy habits.”

Both Team GB and Paralympics GB’s youth division will be instrumental in delivering the Get Set to Go Green initiative. Athletes are expected to talk about the benefits of plant-based foods as part of a balanced diet.

Children want plant-based options

Birds Eye has identified the potential to support healthy habits in children. A survey of 1,000 youngsters aged six to 12 found that 34 percent have asked adults for a meat-free meal. Furthermore, the Birds Eye Green Paper Report found that almost all (92 percent) of those surveyed believe that everybody should help look after the planet.

Previous unrelated research also points to children’s openness to vegan living. In 2021, BBC Good Food found that eight percent of children aged between five and 16 ate a plant-based diet. In addition, another 15 percent said that they wanted to.

Team GB athletes drive the plant-based message

Acting as a stereotype-busting partner in the educational initiative, Team GB’s athletes’ performances are intended to inspire others to strive for greatness too.

“Team GB athletes perform to the highest standards possible. We want consumers to recognize, through this partnership, how the nutritional value of plant-based foods can help them perform to their highest standards in their day-to-day lives as well,” Victoria Westwood of Green Cuisine said in a statement.

The post British Olympic Team To Promote Plant-Based Eating To Kids, Parents, And Teachers appeared first on Plant Based News.

In her last major competition, the World Championships in Romania in 2022, Gawthorne maxed out at bronze medal. But this year’s win comes as Gawthorne reached another important milestone: 20 years as a vegan.

Aptly, Gawthorne completed the race – which consisted of a 4.7km run, a 23km cycle, and a final 2.8km run – in a uniform reading “go vegan.”

The power of plants

Crediting her plant-based diet as playing a “significant part” in her gold medal victory, she revealed why veganism and athleticism go hand-in-hand.

“I am so happy! I’ve worked so hard with my run and bike coaches for this and it’s just the most amazing feeling and the best-ever reward,” Gawthorne, also a nutritionist and author, told Plant Based News.

“I love that it’s sparked so many stories and communications with me about veganism too – it’s my 20th veganniversary so what better way to celebrate that than with a European win to prove that veganism has a very valid place for supporting peak performance in sport, fitness, and athletics.”

Gawthorne announced her gold medal win on Instagram, making sure to include “vegan,” “vegan strong,” and “vegan athlete” hashtags.

Influencing teammates to try plant-based

Having noted improvements in her own performance and health, Gawthorne has encouraged her teammates to try a plant-based diet for themselves. Offering advice and access to easily digestible information, she claims that many have transitioned to veganism.

In a further bid to make plant-based nutrition accessible, Gawthorne runs vegan food company Bravura Foods.

Gold medal performances from vegan athletes

Gawthorne is not alone in delivering inspiring sporting performances on a plant-based diet. 

From bodybuilders to tennis players, racing drivers and almost every sport in between, vegan athletes are becoming increasingly mainstream. So much so that Japan faced calls to make catering options in the 2021 Tokyo Olympian Village all plant-based. The move was requested to give sports people access to “clean” protein sources.

The post 20-Year Vegan Athlete Takes Gold In European Duathlon Championships appeared first on Plant Based News.

The announcement came just two weeks after Puma also ditched the material after becoming impressed by a vegan synthetic alternative.

Nike initially stated that its Tiempo Legend Elite football boot will switch to a fully synthetic upper. However, the brand went on to confirm that it is taking kangaroos out of its supply chain altogether.

Similarly to Puma, Nike claims that it will favor a new synthetic material that offers “a better performance solution and replaces the use of kangaroo leather.”

Kangaroo leather became popular with soccer boot manufacturers due to its supposed extra durability. This was assumed to improve performance, but cruelty-free alternatives appear to be just as, if not more, effective.

Fashion’s fading interest in kangaroo leather

Alongside Puma, Nike’s decision means that two of the largest buyers of kangaroo hides have now turned their back on the material.

High-end fashion names including Chanel, Gucci, and Prada have all rejected kangaroo leather from their portfolios.

‘Kangaroos are not shoes’

Animal activists have welcomed Nike’s news, particularly the Center for a Humane Economy (CHE).

Having launched its “Kangaroos Are Not Shoes” campaign in 2020, CHE called on major brands to stop creating demand for the deaths of more than two million kangaroos each year. It also specifically targeted Nike, by erecting billboards close to its Oregon headquarters in 2021.

CHE considers recent developments within the sportswear sector to be significant steps forward.

“Nike’s announcement that it will end the use of kangaroo skins for its athletic shoes is a seismic event in wildlife protection, and tremors will be felt all over the world. Especially in Australia, where the mass commercial slaughter of kangaroos occurs,” Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy, said in a statement. 

“Non-animal-based fabrics are athletically and morally superior. In March, we’ve seen two of the three largest brands in athletic shoes pledge to end their use of kangaroo skins and to bring relief to these iconic marsupials in Australia.”

Adding credence to the “athletic superiority” of synthetics, it has been reported that out of the 172 goals scored in the 2022 football World Cup, 164 were attributed to players wearing synthetic or cow leather (most were synthetic).

Adidas remains the last major buyer of kangaroo leather, with CHE stating that it must follow Nike and Puma’s examples. It also calls on Australia to shut down its “ruthless commercial kangaroo-killing industry,” though insiders are putting up a fight.

The kangaroo leather sector fights back

With multiple major buyers dropping kangaroo leather, the Australian industry appears to be panicking. It has released a statement claiming that any culling bans could lead to overpopulation.

Commercial hunting of kangaroos is legal in Australia, as are “conservation culls,” designed to control the population. If neither is allowed to continue, industry insiders claim that this will create a need for non-commercial culling. This, they say, will impact animal welfare.

In another attempt to secure support, Ray Borda, president of the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia, spoke to the Guardian. He said that kangaroos (for leather) are a sustainable option.

“They emit less methane, require less water, place less pressure on grazing lands, and don’t require energy to capture and contain [as cattle and sheep].”

The post Nike Follows In Puma’s Footsteps By Ditching Leather Made From Kangaroos appeared first on Plant Based News.

Puma debuted a fully vegan football boot in 2022, dubbed the KING Platinum 21 Vegan. However, other shoes in the KING range continued to utilize kangaroo hides for their uppers.

Puma claims to be so impressed by the performance of its vegan leather that it is discontinuing kangaroo leather entirely. Accordingly, the sportswear giant has pledged to phase it out by the end of 2023.

Puma’s vegan leather

Extensive testing proved that K-BETTER outperforms traditional kangaroo hide for football boot construction. In fact, K-BETTER beat the animal-derived version across the board, ranking higher for durability, touch, and comfort.

“The Puma KING is Puma’s most iconic franchise in football and has always stood for using the best materials and the latest in innovation. Over the years we have seen the boot evolve and become ingrained in on pitch and off pitch football culture. From the pitches to the terraces,” Peter Stappen, lead product line manager for Puma said in a statement.

 “The new KING takes the franchise to the next-level and offers a super-soft upper with optimal stretch resistance for ultimate touch and control benefits.” 

Made using a minimum of 20 percent recycled materials, K-BETTER consists mostly of a nylon microfiber blend. It is used in conjunction with a lightweight plastic sole. This is designed to create a soccer boot that is light and as geared towards top performance as its predecessors. The original kangaroo KINGs were worn by the likes of footballing legends Pelé and Diego Maradona.

Wearing the new wave of Puma’s vegan leather boots will be Arsenal football club midfielder Granit Xhaka, amongst others. 

In addition, a tailored-for-women fit is available. Pro-footballers Ingrid Engen and Lena Lattwein are among those to be debuting the shoes on the pitch. 

Save the kangaroos

In 2021, Gavin Polone – director of Gilmore Girls – released a short film on kangaroos being hunted and killed for their skins.

In it, Polone directly targets Nike. As a brand, it continues to use kangaroo leather and contributes to the deaths of more than two million of the wild animals each year.

Puma’s decision to take kangaroo leather off the KING roster could be impactful. Specifically, because there’s scope for other large names to now follow suit.

The post Puma Ditches Kangaroo Leather For Better-Performing Vegan Alternative appeared first on Plant Based News.

One of these is Noah Hannibal, an Australian powerlifter who holds two national bench press records. He also competed in Mr America in an all-vegan team called Vegan Strong Plantbuilt, taking home a gold medal in the sport. 

Hannibal has been vegan since 1991, and claims to have never eaten meat in his life. He made the switch from vegetarianism after learning about the dairy and egg industries aged 15. 

He decided to pursue strength training in the mid-90s after a bodybuilder he knew was mocking vegans for being “weak.” Hannibal challenged him to an arm wrestle, and spent six months training before “smashing his hand on the table.” 

Hannibal spoke to Plant Based News (PBN) about his career, breaking down stereotypes, and the challenges he’s faced along the way.

Overcoming misconceptions about veganism

A well-planned plant-based diet has been shown by numerous studies to be optimal for human health. But there remains a common misconception that vegans are weak, and generally less fit than meat-eaters. 

“When I first got into powerlifting, a national coach told me to go and eat a steak and come back once I’d eaten it,” he tells PBN. “And then I just started lifting and competing and doing well.”

This misconception is largely due to the fact that many people mistakenly believe that protein only comes from meat. This is despite the fact that protein deficiency in veganism is exceptionally rare. Numerous medical professionals have stated that fiber deficiency among meat eaters is the real issue. 

According to plant-based physician Michael Greger, it is very unlikely that the average vegan will be protein deficient if they eat enough calories in a day.

Of course, athletes generally need more than the average vegan. But this is perfectly easy to maintain on a plant-based diet, Hannibal says. The bodybuilder aims to eat 200g a day, which he gets through foods like tofu, seitan, tempeh, and protein shakes.

Veganism has not only shown to be an acceptable diet for athletes, but also optimal as well. 

According to a 2021 study by the University of Berkeley, a plant-based diet can “help athletes improve their performance by decreasing weight, creating leaner bodies, and improving stamina.”

A separate study looked into whether a plant-based diet was detrimental to endurance and muscle strength. It found that vegans and meat-eaters had comparable physical activity levels, body mass index, percent body fat, lean body mass, and muscle strength. But it also discovered that vegans had significantly higher estimated VO2 max (the amount of oxygen the body can utilize during exercise), and submaximal endurance time to exhaustion.

Smashing records

Hannibal won his two bench pressing records in national drug-tested federations in Australia and America. 

One of the reasons he takes part in drug-tested competitions is because vegan athletes have often been accused of using steroids by competitors. Some people simply can’t believe anyone is able to compete on that level while eating a plant-based diet. 

Because of this, Hannibal, along with a number of other vegan athletes, has been accused of using fake weights or photoshopping pictures. 

“There’s always an excuse when people see a strong vegan,” he tells PBN. “But no one can argue with the national records. They’re just a good thing to have to show that you can be strong on a vegan diet.”

The future of vegan athleticism 

Hannibal competed alongside 20 other vegan athletes in the world’s largest vegan team in Mr America in Atlantic City in October. The team scored a total of 18 medals: eight first place, five second place and five third place. The team battled against mostly non-vegan athletes in bodybuilding, powerlifting, kettlebell sport, and CrossFit.

Hannibal believes that the misconceptions surrounding veganism and strength are changing, and that “more and more” people are becoming open to the idea. 

Vegan athleticism, he says, is a “good form of activism,” as it “opens minds and breaks down stereotypes that you can’t gain strength as a vegan.” 

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