Personal trainer, bodybuilder and nutritionist, Paul Kerton, proves that eating a vegan diet can have many benefits for building body strength.
Paul Kerton, a 49-year-old vegan bodybuilder from Norwich, Norfolk, is challenging the misconception that eating meat is necessary for men to build strength and muscle. This comes in response to a study from the Australian National University (ANU) claiming that men find eating meat “manly” and are less likely to embrace a vegan lifestyle.
As a personal trainer and nutritionist, Paul used to consume 500g of animal protein per day, equivalent to four chicken breasts, to maintain his muscular physique. Ten years ago, however, he decided to adopt a vegan diet after his partner, Gemma, went vegan to help manage her autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Paul says he now feels amazing and is in the best shape of his life, proving that one can be “big, strong, and ‘manly’” without consuming animal products. Furthermore, he has experienced less joint pain since making the switch.
Before going vegan, Paul believed that a diet rich in steak and salmon was necessary for building muscle. He consumed 500g of animal protein daily, which he now considers a “crazy” amount. After learning about the health risks associated with meat consumption, he changed his diet in the summer of 2012 and hasn’t looked back since.
Now, Paul consumes 200g of protein each day from plant-based sources like legumes, whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. He continues to lift weights for an hour a day and feels more energized than he did in his 30s. Paul says that his eyesight has also improved, and he has discovered 500 new foods since becoming vegan, significantly expanding his palate.
He believes that losing body fat as a vegan is “a doddle” and wants to lead by example for other men. Although Paul understands the stereotype of the “angry vegan,” he emphasizes the importance of compassion, while also acknowledging the pain that animals endure before ending up on our plates.
Paul’s story demonstrates that a plant-based diet can provide all the necessary nutrients for maintaining and building muscle mass. By sharing his experience, he hopes to inspire more people to consider a vegan lifestyle for better health and improved athletic performance.
Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and more! Plant-based diets have also been found to lower rates and risks for various diseases! Conversely, dairy and meat consumption has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and more.
Original source: https://www.onegreenplanet.org
