Five elite athletes who thrive on a plant-based diet – in soccer, tennis, ice hockey, bodybuilding and mixed martial arts
The Boston Bruins’ 116kg defender Zdeno Chara doesn’t look like he’s plant-powered; nor does a former Mr Universe, or MMA fighter Nate Diaz, who defeated Conor McGregor
When the Boston Bruins ice hockey team takes on the Calgary Flames for two games in China (Shenzhen on September 15 and Beijing on September 19), one player literally will be head and shoulders above the rest.
That will be Bruins defenceman and captain Zdeno Chara, a hulking Slovak who stands 2.05 metres (6 feet 9 inches) tall and weighs 116kg (255 pounds). What many people may not know is that the 41-year-old recently changed his diet in a bid to prolong his career.
Chara switched to an almost entirely plant-based diet before the start of the 2017-18 season, and had a resurgence on the ice. Chara relies heavily on new diet staples, including oatmeal, tofu and blended smoothies, while still occasionally eating salmon and eggs.
The move took many by surprise, given Chara’s size, and that his homeland is Slovakia, known for its meat and dairy production.
He isn’t the only elite athlete to have largely or fully given up eating animal products to raise his game. Here are four others:
