Paul Kerton, a 49-year-old vegan bodybuilder from Norwich, Norfolk, is challenging the misconception that eating meat is necessary for men to build strength and muscle. This comes in response to a study from the Australian National University (ANU) claiming that men find eating meat “manly” and are less likely to embrace a vegan lifestyle.

Source: Hench Herbivore/Youtube

As a personal trainer and nutritionist, Paul used to consume 500g of animal protein per day, equivalent to four chicken breasts, to maintain his muscular physique. Ten years ago, however, he decided to adopt a vegan diet after his partner, Gemma, went vegan to help manage her autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Paul says he now feels amazing and is in the best shape of his life, proving that one can be “big, strong, and ‘manly'” without consuming animal products. Furthermore, he has experienced less joint pain since making the switch.

Before going vegan, Paul believed that a diet rich in steak and salmon was necessary for building muscle. He consumed 500g of animal protein daily, which he now considers a “crazy” amount. After learning about the health risks associated with meat consumption, he changed his diet in the summer of 2012 and hasn’t looked back since.

Now, Paul consumes 200g of protein each day from plant-based sources like legumes, whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. He continues to lift weights for an hour a day and feels more energized than he did in his 30s. Paul says that his eyesight has also improved, and he has discovered 500 new foods since becoming vegan, significantly expanding his palate.

He believes that losing body fat as a vegan is “a doddle” and wants to lead by example for other men. Although Paul understands the stereotype of the “angry vegan,” he emphasizes the importance of compassion, while also acknowledging the pain that animals endure before ending up on our plates.

Paul’s story demonstrates that a plant-based diet can provide all the necessary nutrients for maintaining and building muscle mass. By sharing his experience, he hopes to inspire more people to consider a vegan lifestyle for better health and improved athletic performance.

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and more! Plant-based diets have also been found to lower rates and risks for various diseases! Conversely, dairy and meat consumption has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and more.

You’ve probably heard a saying along the lines of “You can’t pour from an empty cup” or “To best serve others, pour from a full cup.” The gist of these expressions is that when you take care of yourself, you’re better able to take care of others. Thus, the positive effects of a plant-based diet reach even further than the reduction in Pollution and emissions. A plant-based diet will make you feel great, which will enable you to care for the planet and those living on it even more. This is where the Food Monster App can help you with over 20,000 plant-based recipes!

Check out some of our others articles to help improve your health:

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• 15 Plant-Based Recipes to Help with Decongestion and Mucus Relief
• Plant-Based Recipes to Prevent GERD and Heartburn
• Combating Restless Leg Syndrome with a Plant-Based Diet
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Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
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