I need to eat meat for strength
Being vegan makes you weak
The persistent myth (especially in men) that we need to eat meat to be strong is perhaps tied to the other misconception that we need to eat meat to get protein. It's likely also connected to ideas of meat being 'manly' which, as a man myself, I find particularly sad. How can paying other people to hurt and kill animals (who have been selectively bred to be docile and trusting) so you can purchase their body parts, sanitised and removed from the blood and violence required to produce them, ever be considered 'strong' or 'manly'?
Not to mention that these products contain artery-clogging fats and cholesterol which, over time, will restrict the body's blood flow and massively increase the chances of suffering erectile dysfunction, heart disease and stroke.
In terms of nutrition, a plant-based diet provides everything required to keep (or make) you strong, something we see first-hand in the growing number of athletes beginning to understand that it's the optimal diet for gains in athletic performance (most notably as it reduces inflammation, resulting in faster recovery between training sessions and thus the opportunity to train more often than when eating meat).
Plant-based diets appear to be resonating particularly with athletes practicing iron man, ultra marathon, bodybuilding and triathlon, proof in itself that claims of needing meat for strength or endurance are based on nothing more than outdated cultural habits.
Vegan athletes proving plants give power include:
Not to mention that these products contain artery-clogging fats and cholesterol which, over time, will restrict the body's blood flow and massively increase the chances of suffering erectile dysfunction, heart disease and stroke.
In terms of nutrition, a plant-based diet provides everything required to keep (or make) you strong, something we see first-hand in the growing number of athletes beginning to understand that it's the optimal diet for gains in athletic performance (most notably as it reduces inflammation, resulting in faster recovery between training sessions and thus the opportunity to train more often than when eating meat).
Plant-based diets appear to be resonating particularly with athletes practicing iron man, ultra marathon, bodybuilding and triathlon, proof in itself that claims of needing meat for strength or endurance are based on nothing more than outdated cultural habits.
Vegan athletes proving plants give power include:
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Patrick
Baboumian Power Lifting |
Anna
Henderson Cycling |
Lewis
Hamilton Motor Racing |
Hector
Bellerin Soccer |
Diana
Taurasi Basketball |
Scott
Jurek Ultra Marathon |
Serena
Williams Tennis |
Kyrie
Irving Basketball |
Noval
Djokovic Tennis |
Ana Carolina
and Macris Carneiro Volleyball |
Robert
Cheeke Bodybuilding |
Tia
Blanco Surfing |
David
Carter American Football |
Amanda
Riester Bodybuilding and Boxing |
David
Haye Boxing |
Melody
Schoenfeld Powerlifting |
Morgan
Mitchell Athletics |
Mac
Danzig MMA |
Brendan Brazier
Triathlon |
James
Wilks MMA |
Raechelle
Chase Fitness Model |
Avi
Leyhani Bodybuilding |
It's hard to look at the athletes above and claim with any kind of honesty that we need meat, eggs and dairy to provide strength, muscle and energy. So whether it's for your simple day-to-day activities or for more intensive workouts and exercise, a plant-based diet provides more energy, increases your recovery time between workouts and, most importantly of all, nobody gets hurt.
You'll find more on this topic in the Exercise & Fitness and Protein sections and the excellent video from
Mic. the Vegan below is also worth a look:
Mic. the Vegan below is also worth a look:
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"People eat meat and think they'll become as strong as an ox,
forgetting that the ox eats grass."
Pino Caruso
forgetting that the ox eats grass."
Pino Caruso
