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Cricketers and celebrities are often seen promoting various kinds of diets and a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating the right kind of food at the right time of the day and inculcating exercising in everyday routine. For athletes, eating right includes rich sources of protein and the right sources of carbohydrates. Many prefer eating chicken, fish, eggs, and other such items. However, over the past few years, a few Indian cricketers embraced vegetarianism to become healthier.
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From Virat Kohli to Shikhar Dhawan, the sportsmen started eating plant-based food to keep their meals lightweight and avoid health ailments, especially weight management. A study published by Nutrients concluded in 2019 that plant-based protein is better for health compared to animal-based sources. As the athletes are busy playing the men’s Indian Premier League (IPL), here is a look at why some of the cricketers opted for vegetarianism.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin is known for his balling. There was a time in his career when his nutritionists suggested increasing protein intake via eating chicken and eggs. Born into a South Indian Brahmin family, he could not continue eating meat. He follows a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet in which he consumes eggs and plant-based food.
Rohit Sharma
The captain of the men’s Indian cricket team was born into a vegetarian family. However, to survive abroad and ensure that his body is receiving the optimum amount of protein, the athlete consumes eggs. Like Ravichandran Ashwin, he also has a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet that ensures he remains in the best of health through rigorous training sessions and matches.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has opened up in the past that he turned vegetarian post experiencing a cervical spine problem. His stomach became acidic, uric acid was at a higher level, and his stomach started pulling calcium from his bones. Post his health scare in 2018, he cut down on meat and turned into a vegetarian. The sportsman eats a lot of vegetables, spinach, quinoa, and other healthy plant-based alternatives that ensure he is at the top of his game.
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan, who was a fan of a non-vegetarian diet, reportedly turned into a vegetarian in 2018. He shared in an interview that his decision was influenced by his sister and famous spiritual gurus around the world. He said that non-vegetarian food was a source of negative energy for him, and he did not like it. Therefore, he decided to change his diet and consume plant-based meals.
Hardik Pandya
Many reports suggest that Hardik Pandya embraced vegetarianism a couple of years ago. He was experiencing a few health hiccups and decided to transform himself for the Indian cricket team. He gave up non-vegetarian food and added pilates to his exercise routine. However, there are a few reports that suggest the cricketer likes to include chicken and eggs into his diet in moderate proportion.
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar is known among the best ballers in the men’s Indian cricket team. Reportedly, he decided to be a vegetarian to escalate the post-match recovery time. The diet worked for him and helped him recuperate faster if he endured any injuries or experienced any health ailments in the field. Plant-based diet allows him to bounce back faster than if he adds meat to his meals.
