Here’s What 10 Vegan Olympic Athletes Eat to Compete
These vegan athletes have taken on the Olympics while fueled by plants.
Meagan Duhamel, 2014 Sochi and 2018 PyeongChang Olympics
The Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medalist figure skater’s favorite dish? Nachos. When training, she eats high-energy foods like protein bars, chia and hemp seeds, and leafy greens.
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Dotsie Bausch, 2012 London Olympics
The cyclist, an Olympic silver medalist, indulges in a breakfast of champions, usually opting for something savory. Her go-to meals? Avo toast or a vegan scramble with a side of berries to help with muscle repair.
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Morgan Mitchell, 2016 Rio Olympics
The Australian Olympic sprinter eats protein-rich meals like breakfast burritos, vegan chicken salads, smoothies, burgers, and Buddha bowls.
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Kyrie Irving, 2016 Rio Olympics
The professional basketball player and Olympic gold medalist gets his energy on the court by eating three meals a day, with a snack in between. His go-to snack? A smoothie or power ball.
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Kara Lang Romero, 2008 Beijing Olympics
The former soccer player avoids gluten and eats a diet heavy in whole grains and nutritious vegetables. According to Romero, her body feels “more efficient” on a plant-based diet.
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Venus Williams, 2000 Australia, 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio Olympics
The tennis player, who holds four Olympics gold medals and one silver, limits her sugar and gluten intake and enjoys eating raw foods. Regular meals include fruit, shakes or smoothies, and nutrient-dense veggies like broccoli, kale, or squash.
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Larkyn Austman, 2018 PyeongChang Olympics
The Olympic figure skater gets her power from plants. She eats a diet heavy in grains and enjoys consuming smoothies. Her favorite vegan brands include Gardein and Daiya.
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Carl Lewis, 1984 Los Angeles, 1988 Seoul, 1992 Barcelona, and 1996 Atlanta Olympics
The plant-powered track and field star boasts 10 Olympics gold and silver medals. “It’s a myth that muscles, strength, and endurance require the consumption of large quantities of animal-based foods,” he said.
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Rachael Adams, 2016 Rio Olympics
The Olympic bronze medalist and volleyball player enjoys a good smoothie post workout or practice. Her energy-packed go-to meals also include granola cereal, peanut butter energy balls, overnight oats, and green veggies like kale, brussels sprouts, and broccoli.
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David Verburg, 2016 Rio Olympics
This Olympic gold medalist tackles track and field without any meat. His meals include plant-based tacos, fresh fruits like papaya and grapes, and smoothies.
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