Virat Kohli Gets Protein From Plants, Not Meat Or Dairy. What’s Stopping You?

Indians are always interested in what Virat Kohli is doing, saying, wearing and thinking – doesn’t matter if you follow the game or not. So when the skipper let the world know a little something about what he’s been eating, it broke the internet.

Virat Kohli follows a vegan diet! The nation’s biggest sports star eats only plants. Virat Kohli, Delhi boy and self-confessed lover of all things makhani, is now completely off dairy.

It’s pretty big news, in a nation obsessed with ghee and paneer. We were thrilled, of course. But it also got us thinking – if Virat can eat vegan, what’s stopping the rest of us? If he can train hard, play hard and perform well on the field by eating only plants, why can’t we? (FYI, at the time of publishing this article, Kohli crossed the 10,000 run mark - propelling him into an elite club of world-class batsmen.)

Virat Kohli 

_{image courtesy Mid Day}

Many people are still sceptical about switching to a vegan diet (and even a much-loved celebrity may not be able to convince them). Here are 7 vegan myths, busted!  

Myth no. 1: You Need Animal Protein To Stay Fit & Build Muscle

This is a common myth: vegans are frail and weak and will not be able to build muscle. But that’s not true at all!

You've probably come across memes that urge you to go vegan, pointing to the fact that gorillas and elephants are some of the strongest creatures on Earth, and they survive on plants. While that is correct, there are some other things to consider: our physiologies. 

Elephants can eat up to 170 kilos of plants a day, and gorillas consume up to 18 kilos.

Gorillas get their strength from plants

But these creatures also spend a major chunk of their waking hours eating (or grazing). Since they spend 12-20 hours a day just foraging for and eating food, they need to eat that much. Humans, on the other hand, have the ability to break down starch from the food consumed and that for energy, which is why we don't eat as much.

So, while the quantities of plants ingested vary because of the complex nature of our digestive systems, it's true that elephants and gorillas get their nutrition and strength from plants sources. 

Sources of plant protein

And there are so many plant proteins to choose from! Chickpeas, kidney beans, tofu, pulses...the list goes on.  Need more convincing? Head over to Lewis Hamilton’s and Vidyut Jammwal’s Instagram accounts. Those abs are powered by plants!

Myth no. 2: You Need Eggs For Complete Nutrition

Eggs are a mainstay in any kitchen and touted as a superfood, a cheap and viable source of nutrition and a diet “essential.” But eggs aren’t all that good for you – in fact; they are high in cholesterol, which our bodies don’t need in excess. Plus, other nutrients in eggs like choline (a vitamin that aids digestion) are abundant in foods like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage lentils.

Myth no. 3: You Need Milk For Calcium

Not true. Milk may contain calcium, but it’s not making it’s way into your body the way you believe it is. (Or let’s say, the way the dairy industry would like you to believe!)  It’s not about the amount of calcium a food contains, what matters is how much of that calcium is absorbed by our bodies.

Turns out, milk only has an absorption rate of 30%, while greens like kale, broccoli and mustard greens (sarson ka saag) have absorption rates between 40%-60%! 

Dairy also tends to cause bloating, gas and unease, mainly because most humans cannot digest the lactose in milk - so we're all better off without it!

Lactose intolerance is a growing problem

Myth no. 4: You Won’t Feel Full Or Energized A Vegan Diet

Contrary to popular perception, you’ll actually feel more energized on a vegan diet! Plants and plant products are easier to digest than meat, eggs or dairy. So you won’t feel that lump of protein sitting in your stomach, waiting to break down. 

The food we eat can last in our gastrointestinal tract from 36-72 hours. Animal calories take longer to digest than plant-based calories because they contain higher amounts of complex saturated fats.

More fibre = better digestion

Fruits and vegetables, being rich in fibre, are relatively easier to digest compared to animal calories, with a transfer time of 25-54 hours. That means that the steak you eat on Wednesday will likely still be in your tummy on Friday!

In fact, sources close to Virat Kohli have said that one of the main benefits he’s experienced since giving up animal products is increased digestive power. If it’s good enough to keep him shuttling between the wickets at super speed, we’re pretty sure it’ll work just as well for you!

Myth no. 5: You Won’t Get Enough Vitamin B12

This is a legit concern, we’ll admit. BUT… did you know that a non-vegetarian is just as much at risk of B12 deficiency as a vegan?  B12 is actually produced by bacteria and fungi, not animals per se.

Since there happen to be more bacteria in decaying substances like milk and meat, they have higher levels of B12. But fear not – there are vegan sources of B12, starting with fermented foods like idli and dosa.

• Nutritional yeast
• Shiitake mushrooms
• Fortified plant & nut milks
• Fortified cereals

Nutritional yeast is a good source of Vitamin B12

Myth no. 6: You Can’t Have Tea Or Coffee On A Vegan Diet

Of course, you can! You just have to have it a little differently.

We know what a sensitive issue everyone’s morning cuppa can be, but there are plenty of ways to get your caffeine fix on a vegan diet. Substitute dairy milk with plant milks like coconut, soy, almond, oat or cashew. You can even make your own plant milk!

Want to take it a step further? Go green (with your tea) or black (with your coffee).

Myth no. 7: A Vegan Diet is Too Expensive/Only For Pro Athletes

This is a classic excuse (ok, we’ll say concern, not excuse), for non-vegans. It’s SOOOO expensive! Only Lewis Hamilton and Virat Kohli can afford to eat vegan, because they’re already so wealthy!

Not true. You don’t need to own a Ferrari to eat vegan.

Vegan food doesn't have to be expensive

Sure, the likes of Kohli and Hamilton may be consuming some very specific supplements for their game (which could be expensive), but what lies at the heart of their plates are fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. Dal, sabzi, roti. Oatmeal, salad, hummus. That’s pretty ordinary fare!

So when you get down to it… eating vegan isn’t as complicated as it seems, right?   Real champs eat plants. Now it’s your turn. Still a little confused? Sign up for our vegan starter kit!

_{Feature image courtesy Hindustan Times}

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