Is Manny Pacquiao going vegan?

Is Manny Pacquiao going vegan?

Pacquiao with PETA’s vegan starter kit

Is the Philippines’ number-one boxer knocking meat out of his diet? Manny Pacquiao was recently seen reading a copy of PETA’s free vegan starter kit in General Santos, and his wife, Jinkee, is a frequent visitor at ELPI Vegan Resto, a local vegan restaurant.

If Pac-Man has decided to become Veg-Man, he won’t be alone. Increasingly, professional athletes are going vegan, and they’re crediting their meat- and dairy-free lifestyles with helping them to achieve peak performance. Top vegan athletes have noted numerous benefits, including feeling leaner and healthier and seeing a boost in their energy levels. And let’s not forget that Timothy Bradley, the boxer who once beat Pacquiao in a match, credits vegan foods for much of his success.

Last year, vegan UFC fighter Nate Diaz sent shockwaves around the world when he beat the previously undefeated Conor McGregor. Heavyweight boxing champion David Haye says that he has more energy since switching to plant-based foods. Boxer Cam F. Awesome has been a tournament-winning machine since adopting a cruelty-free diet, and vegan strongman Patrik Baboumian has broken the world record for the most weight ever carried by a human. Most recently, New Zealand UFC star Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt said that he was so sick of seeing cruelty to animals in the meat industry that he planned to switch to a plant-based diet.

Other vegan athletes include Sports Illustrated “Olympian of the Century” Carl Lewis, top ultra-marathon runner Scott Jurek, former NFL star Ricky Williams, NBA veteran Wilson Chandler, boxing champion Keith Holmes, Olympic weightlifter Kendrick Farris, and Olympic gold medalist Alexey Voyevoda. Jake Shields, Mac Danzig, Tyrann Mathieu, Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady are all either fully vegan or eat vegan while training to improve their performance. Tennis champ Novak Djokovic has even opened a vegan restaurant. And this is by no means an exhaustive list!

Vegan meals provide athletes with all the protein, complex carbohydrates, and other nutrients that they need to become stronger and faster—without the artery-clogging cholesterol and saturated fat found in meat, eggs, and dairy “products.” Energy-boosting complex carbohydrates, including whole-wheat breads and pastas, quinoa, fruits, and vegetables, are all naturally vegan, and muscle-building protein is found in abundance in foods such as beans, nuts, tofu, whole grains, veggie burgers, and the many faux meats available in most grocery stores. There are even vegan soy-protein powders for athletes looking for an extra boost. Eating vegan foods has also been shown to improve blood and oxygen flow, helping to repair torn muscles and tendons for faster recovery from training and injuries.

PETA’s free vegan starter kit makes the switch to compassionate eating easier than ever. It’s filled with recipes for meat-free Filipino favorites, including sisig, as well as tips for making the transition.
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like more information.

Kind regards,
Nirali Shah
Media Liaison, PETA Asia