How long has Virat Kohli been vegetarian? The definitive timeline

December 23, 2025 •

3 min read

In 2018, during a tour in South Africa and England, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli switched to a vegetarian diet following a health scare that caused a cervical spine issue. This definitive timeline reveals exactly how long has Virat Kohli been vegetarian and why this transformation was necessary for his career and well-being.

Quick Summary

Virat Kohli became a vegetarian in 2018 after experiencing a health scare involving high acidity and a cervical spine problem. The dietary change significantly improved his energy, recovery, and overall fitness.

Key Points

2018 Switch: Virat Kohli adopted a vegetarian diet in 2018 due to health complications and a cervical spine issue.
Health Reasons: The diet change was prompted by high uric acid levels and an acidic stomach, which were weakening his bones.
Not Vegan: Kohli clarified in 2021 that he is vegetarian, not vegan, and occasionally includes eggs in his diet.
Improved Performance: He credits his diet change for improved energy, faster recovery, and a lighter, more positive feeling.
Plant-Based Power: His diet consists of a wide range of vegetables, legumes, pulses, quinoa, and plant-based protein sources like soy and tofu.
Minimal Seasoning: Kohli prefers his food steamed or boiled with minimal seasoning, prioritizing nutrition over taste.

The Health Scare of 2018: The Turning Point

For years, Virat Kohli was known for his love of meat, with butter chicken being a reported favorite. However, this changed drastically in 2018. During a Test match in South Africa, Kohli developed a serious cervical spine issue that created a nerve impingement, causing a tingling sensation in his little finger. The pain was so intense that it made it difficult for him to bat and even sleep at night.

Medical tests revealed that his body had become overly acidic, and his high uric acid levels were causing his stomach to draw calcium from his bones, weakening them. Doctors advised him to cut down on meat to manage his condition. Acting on this crucial advice, Kohli made a radical dietary shift, becoming a vegetarian almost overnight.

The Immediate Impact and Lasting Benefits

The transition yielded immediate and profound results for Kohli. He reported feeling lighter, more positive, and having significantly more energy on the field. His recovery time after intense matches improved dramatically, allowing him to play multiple games a week at 120% intensity. In a candid Instagram chat with Kevin Pietersen, Kohli stated, “It has been two years, and it is the best decision of my life”. This transformation allowed him to sustain his elite performance levels and cemented his status as one of the fittest athletes in the world.

The Great Confusion: Vegetarian or Vegan?

While Kohli is famously a vegetarian, there has been widespread confusion over whether he is also a vegan. This debate peaked in 2021 when fans noticed he included "some eggs" in his diet during a social media Q&A session. This led to a barrage of comments from fans who believed he was vegan and were surprised by his admission.

Kohli quickly clarified the situation on Twitter (now X), stating: "I never claimed to be vegan. Always maintained I'm vegetarian. Take a deep breath and eat your Veggies (if you want) ✌️". He later explained that while he had moved to a largely plant-based, animal protein-free, and dairy-free diet, he had never officially adopted a strict vegan lifestyle. This distinction is important and demonstrates his commitment to a flexible, yet disciplined, approach to nutrition.

A Glimpse into Kohli's Plant-Powered Diet

Since his 2018 transformation, Kohli has embraced a high-protein, plant-based diet to fuel his performance. His meals are meticulously planned to provide all the necessary nutrients for a top-tier athlete, disproving the myth that vegetarians cannot build muscle and maintain stamina.

Common elements in Kohli's current diet:

Vegetables: Lots of fresh, steamed, and boiled vegetables, often with just salt, pepper, and lime.
Legumes and Pulses: Important sources of protein, including Indian staples like dal, rajma (kidney beans), and lobia (black-eyed peas).
Soy and Tofu: Plant-based protein alternatives, with tofu being a frequent inclusion. He has even publicly endorsed plant-based meat alternatives, such as 'mock chicken tikka'.
Carbohydrates: Quinoa and brown rice, providing slow-release energy.
Healthy Fats: Avocado, nuts, and nut butters.
Hydration: Two cups of coffee daily and plenty of fluids.

Comparison Table: Kohli's Diet Then vs. Now


Aspect	Pre-2018 (Non-Vegetarian)	Post-2018 (Vegetarian)
Protein Source	Meat (chicken, fish), Eggs	Plant-based (Tofu, Soy), Eggs
Dairy Consumption	Yes	Heavily reduced or eliminated
Digestive Health	Highly acidic stomach, high uric acid	Improved digestive power
Energy Levels	Variable, reported feeling better after diet change	Consistent at 120%, lighter feeling
Inflammation	Higher, contributed to health issues	Reduced, aiding faster recovery
Recovery Time	Slower, experienced body stiffness	Dramatically improved, less stiffness
Body Composition	Reportedly improved, leaner physique	Optimal body fat percentage
Favorite Food	Butter chicken	Steamed food, salads, dal, rajma

Conclusion: More Than a Dietary Choice

For Virat Kohli, becoming a vegetarian was far more than a simple lifestyle choice; it was a necessary medical intervention that transformed his career trajectory. He took a bold step that defied conventional wisdom about athlete nutrition, proving that peak performance can be achieved on a plant-based diet. His journey from non-vegetarian to vegetarian is a testament to the power of listening to one's body and making tough decisions for long-term health and success. It continues to inspire athletes and fans alike to reconsider their relationship with food and fitness.

For more insights into Kohli's life, watch his interview with Graham Bensinger: Virat Kohli Shares Why He Became a Vegetarian in an Interview

Frequently Asked Questions

Virat Kohli became a vegetarian in 2018, a decision he made during a tour in South Africa and England following health issues.

He stopped eating meat because of a cervical spine issue that was aggravated by high acidity and uric acid levels in his body, which were caused by his diet.

Yes, Virat Kohli is still a vegetarian. He has maintained his plant-based diet since 2018 and has publicly spoken about the benefits he continues to experience.

No, Virat Kohli has never claimed to be a vegan. He clarified this in a 2021 tweet after some confusion arose, confirming he is and has always been a vegetarian.

His diet is rich in plant-based proteins like lentils, legumes, tofu, and quinoa. He consumes a lot of steamed and boiled vegetables and includes Indian dishes like dal and rajma.

Kohli reports that changing his diet led to a significant increase in energy, faster recovery from games, and a general feeling of being lighter and more positive.

Yes, as a vegetarian, he confirmed in a social media Q&A that he includes 'some eggs' in his diet. This is a key point of difference between his diet and a strictly vegan one.

The primary influence was a health scare related to his cervical spine and acidic stomach. While his wife, Anushka Sharma, is vegan and has supported his dietary evolution, the initial decision was driven by medical necessity.