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Bodybuilders' diet and training routine are two things fans are most curious about. While most bodybuilders, powerlifters, and strongmen rely on an animal-based diet for protein, some are vegan.
Top 5 bodybuilders who are vegan
#1 IFBB Pro Jehina Malik
Jehina Malik finished in the top 5 at the 2023 IFBB Ben Weider Naturals Pro in the Women's Physique category. She claims to be the first-ever IFBB Pro qualifier who has been a vegan since birth.
"Yes I am the first vegan since birth IFBB Pro and worked my a$$ off for it! When I started bodybuilding, I was laughed at told I couldn’t become a pro, so I decided to prove everyone wrong! Meat and dairy are not needed to build muscle, period!" she wrote on Instagram in April 2024.
#2 IFBB Pro Greg LaChance
Greg LaChance won the 2022 CPA Natural Canada Pro in the Men's Physique - Masters 40+ C category. The Canadian National Champion openly prioritizes health over everything else. Upon being featured in the Great Vegan Athletes, LaChance wrote on Instagram in September 2022:
"The only bad decision about going vegan is I should of did it sooner."
#3 IFBB Pro Torre Washington
Torre Washington or 'The Vegan Bodybuilder' has competed at NPC Nationals and Arnold Classic. He earned his pro card in his early 30s. The IFBB Naturals pro completed 25 years of being vegan on his birthday on August 10. His Instagram bio reads:
"Showing that plants can build muscle, 25 years vegan."
#4 Strongman Patrik Baboumian
Patrik Baboumian is a 2011 Strongman Champions League qualifier and broken three world records at strongman events - log lift (under 105 kg), beer keg overhead and fronthold. His empathy for animals is well-known to his fans.
After turning vegan in 2011, he had said (via Great Vegan Athletes):
“I just found myself thinking that if I would have to kill the animals I ate with my own hands I couldn’t because I was too compassionate. I felt that I was fooling myself eating meat considering my inability to kill an animal so I just thought I’d better be honest to myself and stop eating meat.”
#5 Nimai Delgado
The Netflix 'You Are What You Eat' star Nimai Delgado is a vegan lifestyle transformation coach in Los Angeles. A vegan fitness icon with 813k followers on Instagram, Nimai is an idol for many who want to go vegan. Delgado wrote on a reel in May 2024:
"As someone who has never eaten meat (and never will), I can say with absolute confidence that it is 100% possible to thrive, build muscle, become a pro athlete, or anything else on a FULLY plant based diet."
Is it possible to get proper nutrition out of a vegan diet?
As per an article by Johns Hopkins Medicine, a vegan or a vegetarian can get the necessary nutrients by following the below:
- Avoiding foods containing high sodium, added sugars and fats
- Eating vitamin B12 supplements
- Eating sufficient dairy products to maintain calcium levels
- Eating vitamin D-rich foods like orange juice or cereal/plant-based milks
- Eating high-protein foods like eggs, dairy, yoghurt, cottage cheese
- Avoiding too much of carbohydrates
