Mike Tyson might be 57 now but the legend still boasts of a ripped physique. Once upon a time, the heavyweight titan championed veganism. During an appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s show in 2013, Tyson, while promoting veganism, even explained his choice. He just wanted to try something different. So, he embraced veganism. This lifestyle change apparently provided him with a chance to lead a healthier life. However, the champion has since changed his tone.
The debate about veganism has been continuing for ages with no end in sight. In a recent interview, Tyson revealed his new perspective on the topic and why he decided to stop with a vegan diet. Let us dive into the details.
What diet does Mike Tyson follow now?
In an interview with BSalSportsGuy on YouTube, Tyson reiterated the necessity of a normal non-vegetarian diet. Replying to a question on whether he is still a vegan, he replied, “I balance it, I don’t believe in being a vegan, I once did. I believe you should balance your food coz your food is your medicine.”
‘Iron’ Mike stopped with the vegan diet in 2020, as he revealed in an episode on Joe Rogan’s podcast. “I only eat elk and bison – wild stuff – and I’m starting to feel fit. I realized the stuff that’s good for other people – like kale, vegetables, and blueberries. For me, it’s really poisonous… Kale will kill me!” stated Tyson. Not adding meat to his diet had him compromising on his strength. However, some boxers ardently follow the plant-based diet and have done so while acing it in their careers.
Which boxers advocate for plant-based nutrition?
Heavyweight champion David Haye, former two-division world champion Timothy Bradley, and ex-heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua all incorporate a vegan or vegetarian diet for faster recovery, injury prevention, and overall health. Even American heavyweight boxer Cam Awesome attributes his success to three years on a vegetarian diet. And let’s not forget about Claressa Shields, the first boxer to win all major world titles, who believes her veganism contributes significantly to her undefeated record.
While diet plays an integral role in determining how far a boxer can push his physical limits, boxers need to understand what food works for them. Some might vouch for a meat requirement in their portions while some prefer to go green. What do you think is the best diet to follow?
