We are counting down days to the FIFA World Cup 2018 that is now just 91 days away. Tension and anticipation continue to rise among both the players and the fans. Teams are preparing more than ever, engaging in friendly matches, training around the clock. Russia is bringing together its stadium venues. June 14th, the first day of the games, will mark the beginning of the 21st FIFA World Cup. It kicks off at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium where the hosts, Russia, will take on Saudi Arabia.
The Vegan Footballer’s Diet
Fitness for every footballer is a priority. Although regular workouts and training sessions play a major role in their performance on the pitch, their daily meal diet counts just as much. We’ve come across vegan players who admit that their vegan diet boosted their game. Science is on the side of plant-based diets, proving that these diets do enhance speed, healthy and fit living, and minimize recovery time.
English footballer Jermain Defoe, who currently plays for the Bournemouth FC, is a great representation of a sleek physique built with plant-based foods. In 2017, the pro soccer player made the decision to go vegan and has kept at it since. In March of last year, the 34-year old England striker scored in England’s 2-0 win over Lithuania in a 2018 World Cup qualifier. This was added to his list of growing wins throughout the year. Dafoe at the time had just transitioned to a vegan diet, and he credited his comeback to the change. He said that he completely let go of all dairy products, eggs, grilled salmon, and all other meats, things he loved to chow down.
Defoe is fuelled by plant nutrients. However, you can’t help but wonder how he gets enough protein to keep a balanced healthy diet going. The vegan diet comes with risks of protein deficiency. Most of the time, footballers throw in a good steak, some scrambled eggs, some dairy or other animal product to keep up their protein intake. However, for the vegan footballer, animal products are not an option. Athletes such as Defoe who are subjected to long sessions of intense body activity during tournaments, training and workouts require a source of protein for muscle gain, quick recovery from injuries, and tolerance for endurance exercises such as running which footballers do a lot of.
Vegans often opt for the right protein supplements to counter protein deficiency. It is likely that Dafoe, too, incorporates protein supplements in his diet. He has a remarkable physique and even says that he has not found the transition to a vegan diet hard. He probably also loads up on the right foods that have high protein content such as peanuts, beans, and vegan protein powder. Protein supplements are fundamental to a vegan diet, especially an athlete’s vegan diet.
With the World Cup just around the corner, football athletes are upping their game. The training and healthy eating are being cranked up a notch. Aside from a healthy diet, supplements also prepare these athletes’ bodies for the games.