Plant-Forward Diets Fuel Athletes at 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Because a plant-based diet is high in carbohydrates, low in fat, and rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it can support or improve athletic performance. A Physicians Committee study found that plant-based athletes benefit from improvements in heart health, performance, and recovery.

Athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics who are passionate about the power of plants to help them up their game include:

• Basketball player Diana Taurasi, who started a vegan diet in 2015
• Sprinter Kaylin Whitney, who went plant-based to prepare for the Olympics
• Vegan skateboarders Micky Papa and Amelia Brodka
• Vegan fencer Vivian Kong
• Soccer players Alex Morgan, who says her diet relies on anti-inflammatory foods like berries, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, and Ali Riley, who recently launched a vegan cooking show to promote plant-based foods for athletes
• Tennis player Novak Djokovic, who just won Wimbledon for the sixth time and is the world’s No. 1 men’s tennis player

Visit PCRM.org/Athletes and download the free e-book Food Power for Athletes to learn how plant-based foods can fuel athletic performance and to get started with plant-powered recipes!