Besides the NCAA Championship the past two days and all its buzz, there is a topic that has been getting Pro Athletes' fans attention these days. Many pro athletes and famous sports personalities are turning to healthy organic, plant-based diets and becoming either vegan or vegetarian and saying good-bye to the old myth that athletes need meat and animal protein to build muscle and gain strength.
Many world class athletes, Olympic champions, pro athletes in baseball, pro athletes in basketball, pro athletes in football, pro athletes in hockey, pro athletes in sports in general, are turning vegetarian with the belief that it helps them improve their health and performance.
Nutrition is such a big concern for pro athletes that some are hiring personal and team chefs to oversee what they eat. These individuals are in charge of making sure they intake less meat, processed and fatty foods and more whole grains, breads, pastas, wheat grass, beans, lentils,soy and tofu, all great sources of protein, calcium, iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamin D and B12 and the essential fiber.
The Pittsburgh Pirates first served rice and beans to menus per baseball players from the Dominican Republic’s request and has become standard since. Some other Dominican and Latin dishes have been incorporated to the baller's to make sure they cut back on burgers and fries and other fast foods on the road. For many, it was a surprise how good healthy food tastes.
An organization called OrganicAthlete, created in 2003, has increased the meatless trend and "promoting healthy, plant-based living by sharing information, building community, and inspiring through athletic example" (www.organicathlete.org). Its members proclaim that going vegan is essential to obtain optimal health and achieve peak performance in sports.
I believe this is a good trend, although not as popular as one may think. Roger Clemens was recently asked if he ever contemplated the thought of becoming a vegetarian; "No" he replied. When asked if he has ever thought about being a vegan, he replied "I don't know what that is". Other professional athletes believe that eating meat is a symbol of masculinity and will not consider the change.
Below is a list of athletes that claim to have a lot more energy than they did before the new diet, are in better shape, their body feels cleansed and they believe their new lifestyle will contribute to a longer, healthier career and life.
Vegan Athletes
Peter Brock,deceased Australian touring car driver
Mac Danzig, professional mixed martial arts fighte
Tony Gonzalez, Professional American Footballer
Scott Jurek,ultramarathon runner
Carl Lewis, track and field star
Mike Mahler, Professional strength coach
Edwin Moses, track and field star
Martyn Moxon, English cricketer
Salim Stoudamire, Professional NBA basketball player
Ed Templeton,Professional skateboarder
Desmond Howard, Professional Football Player
Ricky Williams, Professional Football Player
Ken Bradshaw, Professional Big Wave Surfer
Vegetarian Athletes
Ruth Heidrich, Three-Time Ironman
Debbie Lawrence, 5k Record Holder
Jim Kaat, Baseball Player
Tony Larussa, Baseball Managerm (Oakland Athletics)
Hank Aaron, Baseball Player
Bill Pearl, Bodybuilder
Marv Levey, Buffalo Bills Coach
Robert Parnish, Center (Bulls)
Joe Namath, Football Player
Lawrence Phillips, Football Player (49ers)
Steve Bellamy, Founder of the Tennis Channel
Surya Bonaly, French Figure Skater
Brendan Brazier, Ironman Triathlete
Sally Eastall, Marathon Runner
Andreas Cahling, Mr. International Bodybuilder
Carl Lewis, Olympic Track Star
Edwin Moses, Olympic Champion
Leroy Burrell, Olympic Champion
Murray Rose, Olympic Swimmer
Pat Reeves, Power Lifter
Bill Manetti, Powerlifting Champion
Ed Templeton, Pro Skateboarder
Mike Manzoori, Pro Skateboarder
Brian Anderson, Pro Skateboarder
Jamie Thomas, Pro Skateboarder
Forest Kirby, Pro Skateboarder
Brian Sumner, Pro Skateboarder
Andrew Reynolds, Pro Skateboarder
Jen O'brien, Pro Skateboarder
Matt Field, Pro Skateboarder
Chris Lambert, Pro Skateboarder
Brad Staba, Pro Skateboarder
Geoff Rowley, Pro Skateboarder
Rick Mc Crank, Pro Skateboarder
Moses Itkonen, Pro Skateboarder
Sergei Trudnowski, Pro Skateboarder
Laban Pheidas, Proskater
Steve Berra, Proskater
Anastasia Ashley, Surfer
Martina Navratilova, Tennis Player
Bille Jean King, Tennis Champion
Peter Burwash, Tennis Champion
John Salley, Toronto Raptors
Lucy Stephens, Tri-athlete
Stan Price, World Record Bench Press
Killer Kowalski, Wrestler
Chris Allen, Pro hockey player
Ray King, Washington Nationals relief pitcher
Brendan Haywood, Washington Wizards.
Christine Vardaros, world class cyclo-cross race
Being a vegetarian or vegan, as with any diet, requires following guidelines, care and dedication. I stumbled upon a Free Veg Started Guide that talks about "The Whys & Hows of Veg Eating for animals, the Earth & your heart" Click here to go to the site or here to download a free PDF version.
For questions about this topic, pro athlete relocation in Florida or the Florida real estate market, please give me a call at 239-784-4868 or contact me.
Thank you for your time!
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