English Soccer Star in His 30s Eats Vegan to Keep Him Fit And World Cup Ready

Venus Williams, Jason Sager, Austin Aries, and countless other athletes can now add yet another member to the plant-powered crew! Who, you might ask? None other than English professional footballer, Jermain Defoe. You know, the one who just last week scored in the World Cup qualifying victory over Lithuania.

Defoe will be 35 when the World Cup kicks off and the star striker wants to make sure he is in peak shape. So naturally, he is paying closer attention to his diet and has recently started eating vegan for the answer.

When Defoe’s girlfriend showed him a few documentaries explaining the countless benefits of a vegan diet and how other athletes are successfully powered by plants, it was a no-brainer for Defoe and he decided to cut back on his meat consumption. “It’s my girlfriend’s idea, she said I have to do it and she puts on these documentaries about it. It’s always helpful when you have got someone around you to help you and drive you on,” said Defoe.

He drinks spinach, kale, and nettle smoothies daily and is working to cut meat, fish and dairy out of his diet. “I’m trying to turn vegan, which is a funny one because when I go to my mum’s house she’s got every meat you can imagine out on the table. I’m just trying to tick every box, so I can continue playing,” said Defoe. The important thing is that he moving in the right direction!

After previously being omitted from squads that were picked to play for the World Cup, Defoe is now more determined than ever to make sure he is in the best physical condition possible. “(Rejection) keeps the fire in your belly. I’ve never been one of those people who wants something given to me on a plate,” he noted. And apparently, he doesn’t want animals on his plate either. Defoe has figured out that exercise and fitness aren’t the only key part of a successful athletic journey. Good nutrition is just as important as your workouts, and can really help you reach your goals sooner, while also supporting your body long-term.

Plant-based diets have been shown to lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and according to research, can literally lengthen your lifespan. So, if you’re an athlete, skip the energy drinks, the stimulants, the muscle enhancers, and all that other jazz and look to your diet for help with performance and recovery. Eating more plant-based foods could be the answer you need to gain more energy and improve overall health.

If you’re considering becoming a plant-powered athlete, check out Common Benefits Athletes Experience When Switching to a Vegan Diet and check out these tips on preparing vegan foods for your workouts. You can also check out one of our favorite bodybuilder’s tips for staying energized and buff the  –plant-based way!

And if you’re looking to cut back on meat and dairy, we highly recommend that you check out the Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone. With over 8,000 vegan recipes (and over 10 new recipes added daily), you’re going to find something you love!

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons