Mike Tyson Doesn’t Miss Meat

Fast Tube by Casper

Unless it’s every night that another U.S. celebrity talks about going vegan, it sure was a coincidence I happened to see Mike Tyson on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” yesterday.

When I visited the States last November, I caught Janet Jackson on Leno discussing her “on again off again” vegan diet and favorite vegan restaurants, and then Craig Ferguson poking fun at World Vegan Day.

This time around–jet-lagged after being back just 3 days–I was just about to sleep when the late night host announced Tyson would be his next guest. Tyson adopted a vegan diet last May, and (although any reason for giving up meat is a good one) I was curious if the boxer would be discussing what triggered his decision.

Struggling to stay awake through endless commercials, Tyson finally came on to plug “The Hangover Part 2”.  Fortunately for me, within a minute, the conversation turned to his vegan diet.  Looking remarkably fit, Tyson mentioned that he had lost 130-140 pounds since becoming vegan.

Tyson’s reason for beginning a vegan diet: “My whole family is obese,” he explained. “I am addicted to food, and want to break the cycle, and set an example for my family”, adding “whether they follow it or not” is a separate matter (apparently not).  However, Tyson said he doesn’t miss meat at all.

I was disappointed to hear Tyson say he hated vegan food, because he may discourage others considering switching to a vegan diet. While Tyson’s statement that “Food that tastes good is not good for you,” often holds true for diets that include animal products, it definitely does not have to be the case once you switch to a vegan diet.

It’s good that there are more and more high profile dietary vegans , although they can often be fickle and mislead people, too. Like when Jackson mentioned she had given up being vegan full-time because her doctor said she wasn’t getting enough protein.

One thing I agree with Tyson on is you don’t (necessarily) lose weight after switching to a vegan diet. “If you don’t do any activity, you’ll be the ‘ever-growing vegan’, Tyson said, pointing out that his improved fitness was the result of his new diet and strenuous workouts, too.

I live for the day when the popular misconception you need meat for protein is finally laid to rest. In addition, plant-based diets can be equally if not more satisfying than the typical diet, particularly once you give yourself a chance to get used to it.

By the way, what better time to start a vegan diet than this Memorial Day weekend, by picking up some vegan meat alternatives at the grocery store to throw on the grill instead of your usual meat franks and burgers. If Mike Tyson doesn’t miss meat, why should you?

Plant-Strong Is The Way

The primary reason it’s hard to give up animals is because most of us have grown up eating animal products and don’t have the first inkling of how to eat anything else. But it’s a “piece of kale” to eat "plant-strong" in 2012. Sure, many people have to go through a steep learning curve for a few weeks, but once the body has lost its addiction to animal foods, it becomes easier and easier. (Food cravings follow the exact same neural pathways as drug addiction.)

A whole food, plant-based diet is the healthiest way for everyone to eat. Why? Because plants provide you with all the protein you need — and plant proteins do not cannibalize our bones, promote cancer or increase inflammation like animal proteins do. You can also get all the iron, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals that animal addicts claim you can get only from eating meat. Additionally, you get complex carbohydrates for sustained energy; healthy fats that don’t clog up your pipes; fiber to keep you as regular as a Swiss commuter train; water for hydration; and antioxidants and phytochemicals to zap free radicals. It’s also the best way to lose weight, because if you’re eating plant-based whole foods, you’re eating nutrient-dense foods that make you healthy without taking in extra calories.

This is true even for children and seniors. And as a former world-class triathlete, I can assure you that athletes prosper on a plant-based diet. It’s not just me who feels this way. So do the mixed martial arts fighter Mac Danzig, the Detroit Tigers home run slugger Prince Fielder, the golfer Phil Mickelson, the arm-wrestler Rob Bigwood, the tennis greats Martina Navratilova and Billy Jean King and the boxer Mike Tyson, as well as the ultra-distance athletes Rich Roll and Scott Jurek. The most recent convert? My swimming and plant-strong lunch buddy, Lance Armstrong.