Over the years more athletes are switching to plant based diets, either as vegans or vegetarians because they have found it improves their performance. By eating a plant based diet rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants it reduces oxidative stress from exercise. It increases your immune system so you don't miss workouts from being sick. it keeps your arteries healthy and clear of plaque which is very important cardio health and especially for competitors in cardio intense sports. It also promotes your overall long term health and helps in cancer prevention.
VEGAN/VEGETARIAN ATHLETES LINKS
The cardio and fitness of a vegan athlete can be amazing. Check out vegan Nick Diaz speed bag workout.
Vegan Bodybuilding
Yes, it is true, you can even be a bodybuilder on a plant based diet!
http://veganbodybuilding.com/
Here is a great website that gives detailed information on many professional vegan athletes. I give this as proof that you can be a vegan athlete at the highest levels and be successful. I do not know specifically what these athletes consume so I hope it doesn't sound arrogant of me to say that possibly my recommendations could take some of them to even higher levels.
http://www.greatveganathletes.com/node
A recent article from a boxing blog on athletes going vegan.
http://www.titleboxing.com/news/has-meat-met-its-match/
Fighters
For those of you who think eating a plant based diet isn't for "tough guys" then check out this website of vegan fighters.
http://www.vegan-fighter.com/vegan-fighters.html
Many MMA fighters are switching to plant based diets.
Aaron Simpson---This article discusses how well a vegan diet has worked for him.
http://www.mmaweekly.com/aaron-simpson-proving-a-vegan-diet-can-produce-successful-results-for-high-level-athletes
Jake Shields---Has been a vegetarian all his life. Here is an article about him. http://mmaweekly.com/ufc-129-jake-shields-happy-to-be-an-example-of-a-vegetarian-mma-champion
Jon Fitch---Here is an article about Jon and vegetarians in MMA. http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dm-mmavegetarians021711
Here is a YouTube video by Jon about how he eats. I commend Jon for changing his diet and letting people know more about his food intake with this video and it looks like he is eating good. (although not to sound arrogant but I would have some suggestions for him to improve on, contact me Jon!)
The most recent athlete to switch to a vegetarian style is world class cyclist Dave Zabriskie. Here is an article about his switch.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304314404576414124184873028.html
Possible vegetarian athletes of the past. I say "possible" because some people dispute that some of these athletes were actually vegetarian.
Chris Campbell--Olympic wrestling champion
Keith Holmes--Boxing champion
Andreas Cahling--Bodybuilder
Brendan Brazier--Ironman Triathlete
Ridgely Abele--Karate champion
Ruth Heidrich--Six time Ironwoman
Ben Matthews--Power-lifting champion
Bill Pearl--4 time Mr. Universe
Murray Rose--Swimmer Olympic gold medalist
Art Still--Defense end Hall of Famer
Stan Price--Bench press world record holder
Dan Millman--Gymnast world champion
