SUMMARY
- Owing to the health benefits that it provides, many have advocated for the vegan way of life, including Nate Diaz and other UFC athletes.
- Recently, Netflix’s food documentary delved deeper into the effects of a vegan diet.
Veganism and vegan diets are widely discussed and debated topics. Owing to the health benefits that it provides, many have advocated for the vegan way of life. Notably, this also includes Nate Diaz and other UFC athletes.
Recently, Netflix’s ‘You Are What You Eat’ food documentary delved deeper into the effects of a vegan diet. As such, the four-part series looked into a Stanford University study. Interestingly, 22 pairs of identical twins and their dietary habits over eight weeks were examined. As per the study, one twin would follow a plant-based diet, whilst the other would follow an omnivore diet.
Due to the differences in genetics among random people, twins were elected for this particular study. It is safe to say that the extensive study yielded some very interesting results. Firstly, not eating enough results in loss of muscle, not fat, regardless of a vegan or omnivore diet. At the same time, the plant-based diet also comes with some benefits, such as better s*xual health in women, drops in bad cholesterol levels, and a decrease in unhealthy levels of inflammation in the body.
Thus, it is clear to see that a plant-based or vegan diet can prove to be beneficial for many. At the same time, it is revealed that consumption of meat as a source of protein can have many benefits too. For the most part, many athletes have labeled consuming meat as an essential part of their diet. However, some have gone the other route and have declared some positive results for themselves as well.
Nate Diaz and other UFC fighters who follow a vegan diet
Notably, one of the biggest advocates of a vegan diet is said to be UFC superstar Nate Diaz. Known for his memorable victories over the likes of Conor McGregor and many others, Nate shocked the world after revealing his vegan diet. Although he did consume meat out of camp during his early days, Nate is said to have cut meat out of his diet entirely.
In the past, UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan also rubbished the claims, stating that the vegans just wanted an elite representative. Notably, Rogan’s main argument was that Nate was still known to be consuming eggs and fish. As it turns out, Nate Diaz in fact consumed eggs and fish out of camp and followed a pescatarian diet.
Although the plant, bean, egg, and fish-based diet served him well, other fighters have renounced it. Notably, UFC bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley was one of the few fighters to try the vegan diet and then revert back to meat. At the same time, other fighters have stuck with the diet. Currently, undefeated UFC welterweight Ian Garry is known to be an athlete following a purely vegan diet.
Similarly, other UFC athletes following suit include former UFC fighters James Wilks, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Alex Caceres. Last but not least, the list also includes the Stockton resident’s older brother, Nick Diaz, as well. Thus, with fighters being successful with and without a vegan diet, it goes to show that, just like many other things in life, there is no other diet that fits all either.