Vegan Athletes

Vegan Athletes
Ultimate Fighting Champion Reveals His Knock-Out Vegan Diet

A couple weeks back, we profiled Mac Danzig — a finalist in Men’s Health magazine’s profile of the “25 Fit-*test*-('") Guys In America”, and a competitor on the show The Ultimate Fighter. What makes Mac unique amongst all the other fit finalists is that he’s a vegan. Since we dig that, we thought we might share a bit more. Danzig received so many inquiries into his diet that he’s posted an in-depth look at how he stays in shape, along with what he eats to remain in peak form. Here’s a highlight: “For the record, I cut dairy completely out of my diet in 1999 (over 5 years before I ever committed to a full-Vegan diet)… This was due to an allergy that I developed in my adolescent years to dairy that effected my sinuses and everything connecting to them. For a good part of my teenage years, I suffered from severe ear infections and chronic Vertigo (which is completely miserable). It took me a few years of to finally realize that the antibiotics were only temporarily subduing a much bigger problem. I did my research and finally found the source. A lot of people don’t realize how hard milk, whey, and other dairy products are on the sinuses and respiratory system, and the dairy industry would like you to believe that you need milk to get calcium. That notion is as oxymoronic as you can get. Although not everybody has as severe an allergy to dairy products as I did, I just wanted to point out that after years of battling with ear and sinus infections, eliminating dairy completely cured my problems. Anyone with similar problems may want to try it for a while.” Jump here to take a look at the full post — and perhaps grab some tips on how to cut meat and dairy out while still leading a healthy (and strong) lifestyle. http://www.ecorazzi.com/2008/06/12/ultimate-fighting-champion-reveals-his-knock-out-vegan-diet/ link to his diet: http://www.mikemahler.com/magazine/152.html http://www.macdanzig.net/ Mac Danzig is supercool! He has a wicked diet, and I love seeing successful vegan athletes! I don't really "get" UFC, and I like it more in theory than in practise... but Mac Danzig is my favourite UFC fighter... now one more reason other than the "Danzig" content. Hehe. >

The 247 lb. Vegan NFL star Tony Gonzalez is out to answer a question: Can a football player live entirely on plants? By REED ALBERGOTTI January 25, 2008

The protein-rich bounty of the football training table is supposed to grow the biggest and strongest athletes in professional sports. Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Tony Gonzalez was afraid it was going to kill him. "It's the Catch-22," says Mr. Gonzalez, 31. "Am I going to be unhealthy and play football? Or be healthy and get out of the league?" So last year, on the eve of the biggest season of his career, Mr. Gonzalez embarked on a diet resolution that smacked head-on with gridiron gospel as old as the leather helmet. He decided to try going vegan. Living solely on plant food, a combination of nuts, fruits, vegetables, grains and the like, has long been the fringe diet of young rebels and aging nonconformists. Even the government recommends regular helpings of meat, fish and dairy. Vegans of late have gotten more hip with such best sellers as the brash "Skinny Bitch," and its more scholarly cousin, "The China Study." Both books argue vegans can live longer. But could an all-star National Football League player, all 6-foot, 5-inches and 247 pounds of him, live on a vegan diet and still excel in one of the most punishing jobs in sports? For Mr. Gonzalez, the stakes were high. He'd just signed a five-year contract, making him the game's highest-paid tight-end. Entering the 2007 season, his 11th in the NFL, he had a shot at breaking all-time NFL records for career receptions and touchdowns at his position. To do that, he needed top performances in every game. Mr. Gonzalez knew he was out on a limb. "I was like, 'I'm going to look like a fool if this doesn't work out,'" he says. Mr. Gonzalez joined a handful of elite athletes who have put the vegan diet to the -*test*-('"), either for their health or because they oppose using animals as food. But he was the first pro-football superstar to try. And the first to fail. There's no evidence a vegan diet can improve an athlete's performance, says David Nieman, a professor of health and exercise at Appalachian State University. His 1988 study of vegetarian runners found they ran as well as their meat-eating rivals but no better. Although the vegetarian athletes in his study also ate eggs and dairy foods, he says, "there is scientific evidence that veganism, when done right, won't hurt performance." But, he adds, there is only anecdotal evidence that it can help. Professional athletes, especially NFL players, need thousands of calories a day. Many enjoy a high-protein, high-fat smorgasbord of steaks, chops, burgers, pizza, ice cream and beer. Mr. Gonzalez's tight-end job requires him to push around monstrously sized opponents. Occasionally, he gets to catch a pass. Mr. Gonzalez is famous for combining the brute power of an offensive lineman with the acrobatic skills of a nimble receiver. "My biggest thing is strength," he says. "If you lose that strength you get your butt kicked." Experts say athletes in training need as much as twice the protein of an average person to rebuild muscle. Their bodies also require a big dose of minerals and vitamins, as well as the amino acids, iron and creatine packed into fish, meat and dairy foods. It's fine to be a vegan, says sports nutritionist and dietician Nancy Clark, if you're willing to work at it. "It's harder to get calcium, harder to get protein, harder to get Vitamin D, harder to get iron," she says. "You have to be committed." TRAINING AS A VEGAN 1 Read a Q&A2 with nutritionist Lisa Dorfman about training on a vegan diet. DIETARY CHANGES Compare the standard3 Chiefs training table menu to Tony Gonzalez's daily diet. "Skinny Bitch" co-author Kim Barnouin is working on another book called "Skinny Bastard." "We want men to know that you're not going to be some scrawny little wimp if you follow this diet," she says. The book trashes meat, milk, eggs, cheese and sodas, saying men and women feel better and look better without them. "The more athletes who come forward and say, 'I'm doing this for my health,' the better," she says. Mr. Gonzalez had never heard of the vegan diet when he boarded a flight from New York to Los Angeles last spring, about a month before preseason training. His seatmate turned down most of the food offered in first class, and Mr. Gonzalez finally asked why. The man told Mr. Gonzalez about "The China Study," a 2006 book by Cornell professor and nutrition researcher T. Colin Campbell that claims people who eat mostly plants have fewer deadly diseases than those who eat mostly animals. The evidence was drawn from diet surveys and blood samples of 6,500 men and women from across China. Mac Danzig took a diet risk four years ago. The 28-year-old mixed martial-arts fighter had long wanted to spare animals by going vegan. But he was afraid his trainers were right: that he'd lose to stronger opponents. Last month, on a diet of brown-rice protein, beans, soy, nuts and vegetables, Mr. Danzig defeated the last of his challengers in Spike TV's "The Ultimate Fighter." Kim Barnouin, co-author of the vegan best-seller "Skinny Bitch," says she loves the "Ultimate Fighter" show and cheered Mr. Danzig's win. When fight fans learned Mr. Danzig was a vegan, some said they didn't think he'd have the strength, or the stomach, to conquer the ultra-violent sport, which combines kick-boxing and wrestling. "It's about animal rights," Mr. Danzig says, "not human rights." Mr. Gonzalez was intrigued. Earlier in the year, a bout with Bell's Palsy, a temporary facial paralysis, had focused his attention on health. He bought the book, and after reading the first 40 pages, he says, was convinced animal foods led to chronic illness. He was an unlikely convert. Mr. Gonzalez, who grew up in Southern California, says cheeseburgers were his favorite food. But he quit them, substituting fruits, nuts and vegetables. At restaurants, he ordered pasta with tomato sauce. Three weeks later, he walked into the weight room at the Chiefs' training facility and got a shock. The 100-pound dumbbells he used to easily throw around felt like lead weights. "I was scared out of my mind," he says. Standing on the scale, he learned he'd lost 10 pounds. Mr. Gonzalez considered scrapping the diet altogether and returning to the Chiefs' standard gut-busting menu. First, though, he called Mr. Campbell, who put him in touch with Jon Hinds, himself a vegan and the former strength coach for the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team. Mr. Hinds suggested plant foods with more protein. The Chiefs' team nutritionist, Mitzi Dulan, a former vegetarian athlete, did not believe that was enough. With the team's prospects and Mr. Gonzalez's legacy at stake, she persuaded the tight-end to incorporate small amounts of meat into his plant diet. Just no beef, pork or shellfish, he said; only a few servings of fish and chicken a week. Teammates nicknamed him China Study and razzed Mr. Gonzalez if he missed a block. But he wasn't ready to give up his new diet completely. After a preseason practice, he accompanied Mr. Hinds to learn a skill he believed as important as blocking techniques: how to shop for groceries. Mr. Hinds showed him nutritious fish oils and how to pick out breads dense with whole grains, nuts and seeds. "The best bread for you," says Mr. Hinds, "is if I hit you with it, it hurts." Mr. Gonzalez also learned how to make the fruit and vegetable shake he drinks each morning. He stocked his pantry with tubs of soy protein powder and boxes of organic oatmeal; soy milk and Brazilian acai juice crowded the fridge. His favorite dessert became banana bread topped with soy whipped cream from the vegan cafe near his home in Orange County's Huntington Beach. Mr. Gonzalez soon recovered his lost pounds and strength, but prospects for a record-breaking season were still in doubt. The team lost its starting quarterback, Trent Green, in a trade, and the Chiefs' star running back was tied up in a contract dispute. As the season progressed, the team lost more games than it won. But Mr. Gonzalez managed to stick to his diet and hold onto the football. He broke the touchdown record before midseason and was within reach of the career reception record. "I was like, 'OK, this is working,'" he says. "I have so much more energy when I'm out there." His wife, October Gonzalez, was astonished her husband could play the season without ordering a single cheeseburger. "I thought he'd cave," she says. Mr. Gonzalez entered the final game against the New York Jets needing four catches to surpass the record held by former tight-end Shannon Sharpe. The con-*test*-('") turned into a sluggish defensive struggle with the Chiefs trailing the Jets 7 to 3. Still, Mr. Gonzalez made three receptions. With 2 minutes and 29 seconds left in the third quarter, Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle was fleeing defenders when he threw a 9-yard pass to Mr. Gonzalez, who scampered for a first down and a spot in the NFL record book. http://online.wsj.com/article_email/article_print/SB120122116182915297-lMyQjAxMDI4MDIxNTIyMjUxWj.html training on a vegan diet: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120118808355913521.html?mod=Weekend-Journal standard football training diet vs. Gonzalez's diet: http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/info-enlargePic07.html?project=imageShell07&bigImage=Vegan_WSJ012408.jpg&h=1503&w=555&title=WSJ.COM&thePubDate=20070202 Gonzalez is an inspiration to any vegetarian or vegan athlete. Honestly, I think with enough hemp protein he could've done it 100% vegan, but I don't know for sure. Hemp protein's amino acid profile is remarkably close to human DNA. It contains an amino acid found virtually nowhere else and is ideal for sports recovery.

Scott Jurek

Take a glimpse into the lifestyle of Scott Jurek, course record holder and consecutive seven-time champion of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, two-time champion of the Badwater Ultramarathon, defending two-time Spartathlon champion, course record holder and defending champion of Hardrock 100 Mile Endurance Run. http://www.scottjurek.com/training.php I'd never heard of this guy til today, but he seems supercool and is very accomplished. One thing that a vegan diet is known for is helping with endurance. There was a study using hand-grips, and the vegan participant could go longer than his vegetarian and meat-eating fellows. Supercool. I don't have the link right now, though/

Brendan Brazier: Vegan Triathlete! Brendan Brazier is a professional Ironman triathlete based in Vancouver B.C. He started his running career in 1990 and has been pro since 1998. An Interview With Vegan Ironman Triathlete Brendan Brazier. By: Kristi Lees

Brendan Brazier is a professional Ironman triathlete based in Vancouver B.C. Turning the big 3-0 this year Brendan started his running career in 1990 and has been pro since 1998. Brendan is a training machine and can push his body right to its limits, even some of his team mates' remark on how much training he can handle. Strangely enough the connection is often not made between Brendan's diet and his athletic performance. "Maybe what I eat has something to do with it? Could this be?" he remarks with a hint of sarcasm. Brendan is also the formulator of Vega, a premium plant-based, whole food meal replacement, now available in Canadian health food stores. He is the author of Thrive: A guide to optimal health and performance through plant-based whole foods, (available in Chapters / Indigo in Canada or online though Brendan's website) and is currently writing a full-length recipe book which will be released late 2005. < Q > What kind of vegetarian would you describe yourself as? I'm a vegan who eats about 80% raw. Learn More About Vegetarians... < Q > How long have you been eating like this and what dietary progressions have you made along the way? I became a vegetarian in 1990, and then in 1998 I became a very strict vegan. Over the past year I have further evolved my diet to mostly raw foods. All unrefined, unprocessed, natural whole foods are what my diet now comprises of. < Q > Why have you chosen this lifestyle? Athletic performance enhancement was my first motivation and is still the strongest. Once I learned how to be a healthy vegan by eating the right foods my performance improved dramatically. < Q > What challenges have you faced living on a vegetarian diet? My first challenge was to curb the constant hunger and lack of energy that I experienced. I have since learned that I went about transitioning to veganism incorrectly, the way most people do. In 1990 I'd fill up on refined starchy foods such as pasta and bread. That put an end to the constant hunger, but sufficient energy to train at a high level was not there. Once I began paying close attention to the quality of food that I was consuming and not just the caloric intake, I made large gains. One thing that I realized about two years ago is probably the most valuable to date; it's the pH factor of food. I used to consume a large amount of highly processed, isolated protein powder. I was having no trouble maintaining my daily protein requirement, but I was not recovering as fast as I would have liked, plus I was experiencing muscle stiffness and mild joint pain. As I discovered it was because I had been consuming too many acid-forming foods, such as denatured protein powders. The Importance Of Acid-Base Balance. Employing a few simple strategies to neutralize your high-acid diet... < Click here to learn more. > Once I began eating more raw, natural, alkalizing, foods, my recovery time dramatically improved, as did the muscle and joint concerns. Raw, natural hemp protein is now my number one choice. < Q > What benefits have you gained? How do these relate to your training? Recovery time is number one. I am able to train more, therefore improve quicker. Since my cortisol levels have dropped due to the removal of nutritional stress, I'm able to sleep better. The deep phase of sleep known as Delta is when restoration and fabrication takes place. A stressed body will be prevented from slipping into this phase due to elevated cortisol, usually caused by training or nutritional stress. Ironically this is the time the body needs a good sleep the most, but is unable to get it. Once I began sleeping "more efficiently", I found that I woke up feeling fresh, no need for caffeine or sugary foods. It can be a vicious circle because sugary foods and caffeine further raise cortisol making sleep harder, keeping the body tired, which leads to cravings. The Implications Of Cortisol Release. There is another hormone closely associated with bodybuilding. This hormone is cortisol, a steroid hormone... < Click here to learn more. > < Q > What is your typical daily meal plan like? Breakfast - Homemade, nutritionally balanced ginger pear granola with home made raw almond milk and fruit.* Pre Workout Snack - VEGA energy pudding.* Post Workout Snack - One serving of VEGA (my meal replacement formula) and fresh fruit. Lunch - Raw soaked lentil salad and vegetables. Snack - Fruit. Dinner - Raw spinach hemp soup* or large salad with various sprouted bean and seeds. *recipes can be found in Brendan's book THRIVE Find More Recipes... < Q > Does this change much during your on/off season? During my base training I tend to cut back on the carbs a bit, especially the starchy ones. Most of the base training is done in the "fat burning zone". I find I need to keep the high quality, alkalizing protein coming during this phase or some muscle will be used as fuel, resulting in a strength reduction. High quality essential fatty acids are also important at this time. I get most of mine from flax seeds (omega 3), hemp oil and avocados. During high intensity training I'll eat lots of fresh fruit. < Q > What is your favorite veggie indulgence? Don't have one. People think it's strange but I really don't < Q > What is your usual training/performance schedule like? During peak training I'll train about 35 hours a week. I have gone as high as 43, but find 30 to 35 to be about right. Click To Enlarge Swimming, Cycling, And Running Are All A Part Of The Triathlon A peak training week would look similar to this: Monday AM: Swim 4000 meters. AM 2: Gym workout. PM: Bike 90 minutes easy - flat. Tuesday AM: Bike 6 hours - mostly flat. Run 45 minutes immediately after bike ride. PM: Run 90 minutes with pick-ups. Wednesday AM: Swim 4000 meters. AM 2: Bike 5 hours hilly with some big ring climbing. Run 75 minutes immediately after bike ride. Thursday PM: Swim 4500 meters. PM 2: Gym workout. Friday AM: Bike 5 hours easy - flat. Run 75 minutes immediately after bike ride. Saturday AM: Hard fartlek (hard then rest) run on rolling terrain. AM 2: Gym workout. PM: 4400 Open water swim. Sunday AM: 3 hour run. PM: Bike 4 hours hilly. Run 60 minutes immediately after bike ride. Free Customized Workout Programs. Find the right workout for you. Over 400 free workouts... < Click here to learn more. > < Q > How do you feel your veggie diet supports this? I feel that lots of easily digestible fruit supplies me the energy while enzyme intact natural alkalizing protein sources such as hemp and chlorella are what my body thrives on. If you can't digest it or digestion is a big draw on your system, energy will be wasted, energy that could be spent on recovery. Efficient foods are the key. Food Nutrient Database. Find out how many grams of protein, carbs and fat are in the foods you eat, along with the full vitamin and mineral profile. < Click here to learn more. > < Q > Who is your favorite veggie role model? I really don't have any. I just do what makes sense and works for me. < Q > What has being a veggie taught you? I've learned to be open minded and think critically. Just because everyone else does something, doesn't necessary mean that it's the best way. Also, the simplest solution is usually the best, in this case, whole natural foods grown without pesticides or herbicides - simple. < Q > What is the general impression of the veggie diet from people you have encountered? Most think it's a diet for people who aren't very active, a low energy diet. < Q > What veggie myths would you like to expel? That it can't support world class athletes. Career Highlights To Date 2003 - 1st 50km Canadian Ultra Marathon Championships. 2002 - 8th Iron man Utah. 2001 - 11th Iron man Canada. 2001 - 3rd Canadian ½ Iron man Championships. 1998 - 2nd Royal Victoria Marathon. www.brendanbrazier.com www.sequelnaturals.com Vega can be ordered outside of Canada through this site: http://www.oceansidepublishing.com/vega.htm FROM: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/kristi17.htm Brendan is an an amazing person and athlete! Vega is awesome if you've not tried it. We sell so much of it at our store that they send us all sorts of cool stuff. His book, the Thrive Diet is amazing. Lots of super recipes that have blown my mind. This cat is determined, and is my favourite vegan athlete, if you asked me to pick one. I expect to meet him soon.

View Full Version: Vegan Athletes