5 star footballers who only take a vegan diet

• Football is demanding and it requires players to remain in top form
• The truth is that a vegan diet is a healthy option for footballers
• It provides all the nutrients they need to perform at their best

Football is demanding, and it requires players to remain in top form. Thus, different people always wonder; is vegan diet good for footballers?

The truth is that a vegan diet is a healthy option for footballers because it provides all the nutrients they need to perform at their best. However, vegan footballers must ensure that they get enough protein, iron, and other nutrients from animal-derived foods.

A side note. They must use supplements to ensure that they are meeting their nutritional needs. It is also a good idea for footballers, vegan or otherwise, to work with a sports dietitian or a registered dietitian to develop a meal plan that meets their specific needs.

ARE ANY FOOTBALL PLAYERS VEGAN?

There are a dozen footballers who only follow a plant-based diet. Here they are.

HÉCTOR BELLERÍN

HÉCTOR BELLERÍN. Photo by tranfermrkt

Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Arsenal and the Spanish national team. Bellerin is one of the world’s fastest right-backs. He remains among the most crucial players for Arsenal over the past few seasons. Clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich are interested in signing him because of his athleticism, pace, and response time.

FABIAN DELPH

FABIAN DELPH. Photo by TofeeWeb

Delph’s conversion from a central midfielder to a left-back was one of the season’s best deals, and it contributed to Manchester City’s triumph in the 2017–18 campaign.

Thanks to his speed, agility, and ability to intercept passes, he is now a vital member of both Manchester City and the English National team.

The English ace claims to have noticed significant improvements in how he feels like an athlete since moving to a plant-based diet at the end of 2017.

SERGIO AGÜERO

Sergio Aguero retirement came as a shock. Photo/iNews

Aguero is undoubtedly among the top strikers in the world; there is no denying it. The all-time leading scorer for Manchester City is renowned for putting up goals in each and every game he participates in, and he has a goalscoring record unmatched by anybody else.

The Argentine striker has three Premier League championships for his team in the past seven years, making him a top-notch finisher whose presence on the field speaks for itself. No matter the opposition level, the former Atletico Madrid great consistently performs above expectations.

To everyone’s astonishment, the Argentine became a vegan during the very last season after his doctor advised him to do so to train for the FIFA World Cup in 2018 actively. But Aguero apparently only practises veganism.

LIONEL MESSI

Lionel Messi FIFA World Cup. Photo by Sportico.com

Is vegan diet good for footballers? Well, it is if you were to take Lionel Messi as a case study. Now in his mid-30s, he led Argentina to win their third World Cup after 37 years.

The PSG star is one of the most frequently fouled athletes in the world, yet, seldom sustains an injury. The secret behind his fitness is that everything reflects back to what he has on his plate.

To enhance his performance, Messi eliminated all animal products from his diet in 2018. His switch to this particular diet significantly reduced his body weight and increased his speed.

He takes a lot of fresh fruits and veggies.

JERMAIN DEFOE

JERMAIN DEFOE. Photo by TEAMtalk

Jermain Defoe is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for AFC Bournemouth and the England national team.

Additionally, he has scored the 7th-most goals in the Premier League. Defoe is undoubtedly one of the greatest poachers. He is best known for his brief time at Tottenham Hotspur in the middle of the 2000s.

The English striker did switch to a plant-based diet early in his career. He credits it with helping him prevent muscular problems.

Additionally, Defoe says that his diet is something that keeps him from considering retiring any time soon.

WHAT DO VEGAN FOOTBALLERS EAT?

When you think; is vegan diet good for footballers, think of the benefits of the following vegan meals.

• Kidney beans
• Oats
• Whole grain pasta
• Lettuce
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Seitan
• Lentils
• Soy milk
• Nuts
• Quinoa
• Chia seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Kale
• Walnuts
• Flaxseeds
• Mushroom
• Asparagus
• Black bean
• Hemp seeds