How Many Top Athletes are Vegetarian? The Numbers and Notable Examples

December 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2010 survey of Commonwealth Games participants, 8% of international athletes followed a vegetarian diet. This figure reflects a smaller portion of the overall athletic population, but interest in plant-based diets continues to grow among elite competitors.

Quick Summary

An examination of the statistics and trends concerning vegetarian and plant-based diets among elite athletes, highlighting performance impacts and notable examples.

Key Points

Growing Trend: Studies indicate a rising number of athletes, including elite ones, are adopting vegetarian and plant-based diets, reflecting broader societal shifts.
Varied Motivations: Athletes switch for health benefits, ethical beliefs, environmental concerns, and perceived performance advantages, including faster recovery.
Endurance Potential: Research suggests vegetarian diets may offer benefits for endurance performance, with some studies showing higher VO2 max values compared to omnivores.
Strength Compatibility: While concerns persist, research shows no significant difference in strength-related performance between vegetarian and omnivorous athletes.
Nutrient Planning is Key: To ensure optimal performance, vegetarian athletes must properly plan their diet to meet needs for protein, iron, and especially vitamin B12, often requiring supplementation.
Elite Examples: High-profile athletes like Lewis Hamilton, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams demonstrate that a plant-based diet can fuel top-tier success in a variety of sports.

The Growing Popularity of Plant-Based Diets in Sports

For decades, conventional wisdom held that elite athletic performance was inseparable from a high intake of animal protein. However, recent years have seen a notable shift, with an increasing number of top athletes embracing vegetarian and fully plant-based diets. While determining precisely how many top athletes are vegetarian is challenging due to limited comprehensive surveys and the fluidity of dietary choices, existing data indicates a clear and sustained trend. As early as 2010, a survey of Commonwealth Games participants revealed that 8% of international athletes followed a vegetarian diet, with 1% identifying as vegan. More recent studies, such as a 2022 survey of distance runners, found an even higher prevalence, with 21% identifying as vegetarian and 35% as vegan among the participants. These numbers illustrate that plant-focused eating is no longer a fringe movement in the world of competitive sports. Top athletes are increasingly exploring and adopting these diets for reasons ranging from ethical beliefs to potential performance and recovery benefits.

A Roster of Notable Vegetarian and Plant-Based Athletes

The most compelling evidence that a meat-free diet is viable for elite sports comes from the success of athletes at the top of their game. From tennis superstars to strongmen, many have defied traditional dietary norms to reach the pinnacle of their sports. Here are just a few of the famous names who follow a vegetarian or plant-based diet:

Lewis Hamilton (F1 Racing): The Formula One world champion is a prominent vegan advocate, citing health, ethical, and environmental reasons for his diet.
Novak Djokovic (Tennis): The tennis icon has followed a plant-based diet for years, which he credits for aiding his recovery and longevity in the sport.
Venus and Serena Williams (Tennis): Both sisters have publicly discussed their move towards plant-based eating, particularly to manage autoimmune issues and support their careers.
Alex Morgan (Soccer): The FIFA Women's World Cup champion transitioned to a plant-based diet for ethical and performance reasons, becoming a vocal proponent for plant-based fueling.
Kyrie Irving (NBA): The NBA star adopted a plant-based lifestyle, and many other basketball players, including Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, have followed suit.
Patrik Baboumian (Strongman): A former strongman and bodybuilder, Baboumian is a powerful example that immense strength can be built and maintained on a plant-based diet.
Meagan Duhamel (Olympic Figure Skater): The two-time Olympic medalist is a long-time vegan, and has credited her dietary choice with her athletic success.

The Athletic Impact of a Vegetarian Diet

Research on the effects of vegetarian diets on athletic performance is ongoing, with studies exploring various physiological outcomes. While some traditionalists remain skeptical, a growing body of evidence suggests potential benefits, particularly for endurance athletes. A systematic review published in Nutrients found that vegetarian athletes obtained significantly higher values of relative oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and maximum power compared to omnivores. However, the same study found no significant differences in strength-related parameters. A key factor is the higher carbohydrate intake typical of well-planned vegetarian diets, which supports muscle glycogen storage and endurance. Furthermore, the high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of plant-based foods may help reduce oxidative stress and speed up recovery.

Comparison of Omnivore vs. Vegetarian Athlete Characteristics


Feature	Typical Omnivore Athlete	Typical Vegetarian Athlete
Carbohydrate Intake	Often lower than vegetarians.	Typically higher, supporting endurance.
Saturated Fat Intake	Tends to be higher, especially from animal products.	Significantly lower, contributing to cardiovascular health.
Protein Intake	Higher, with protein requirements easily met through animal sources.	Lower overall intake but still sufficient if properly planned; requires conscious food combining.
Micronutrient Profile	Rich in heme iron and vitamin B12.	Often higher in non-heme iron and calcium, but may require supplementation for B12.
Inflammation	Higher intake of saturated fats may contribute to more inflammation.	Higher antioxidant content helps to reduce inflammation.
Endurance Capacity	Performance is strong, but some studies show lower VO2 max than vegetarian peers.	Some studies indicate improved aerobic capacity and endurance.
Strength Performance	No significant difference observed when compared to vegetarian athletes in research.	No significant difference observed when compared to omnivore athletes.

Navigating a Vegetarian Diet for Peak Performance

For an athlete considering or transitioning to a vegetarian diet, proper planning is paramount to ensure all nutritional needs are met. The main concerns for athletes on a plant-based diet typically revolve around adequate protein intake, essential micronutrients like iron, calcium, and zinc, and vitamin B12, which is not found naturally in plant foods. Athletes with high energy requirements, especially those in intense training, must ensure they consume enough calories to prevent energy deficits that can impact performance and recovery. The best approach is to focus on a variety of whole foods, including legumes, nuts, seeds, tofu, and other plant-based protein sources. Consulting with a sports dietitian specializing in plant-based nutrition can also help an athlete create a balanced and effective meal plan. With careful planning, a vegetarian diet can provide all the necessary fuel for achieving and maintaining top-level performance, as demonstrated by countless successful athletes. For further reading, consider exploring resources on plant-based nutrition, such as information found on The Game Changers website.

Conclusion: A Shift in the Athletic Mindset

While a precise statistic for how many top athletes are vegetarian remains elusive, the trend is clear: plant-based diets are gaining serious traction among the elite. The success stories of high-performing athletes like Lewis Hamilton, Novak Djokovic, and Venus Williams prove that a meat-free lifestyle is fully compatible with, and potentially even beneficial for, athletic excellence. With improved knowledge of nutrition and supplementation, athletes can successfully manage the potential challenges, such as obtaining adequate protein, iron, and vitamin B12. Ultimately, the question has shifted from 'can an athlete be vegetarian?' to 'what are the performance advantages?'. The growing numbers and notable examples confirm that vegetarianism is a powerful and valid dietary choice for today's top athletes.

Frequently Asked Questions

While difficult to pinpoint a single, precise figure, a 2010 survey of international athletes at the Commonwealth Games found that 8% were vegetarian. That number has almost certainly grown significantly since then, mirroring increasing interest in plant-based diets among the general population.

Yes, a well-planned vegetarian or vegan diet can provide more than enough protein for athletes. Athletes can meet or exceed daily protein requirements by consuming a variety of plant-based sources like legumes, tofu, seeds, and nuts, provided their overall energy needs are met.

Research on this topic is mixed, with some studies showing benefits for endurance athletes (higher VO2 max) but no clear advantage for strength. Performance depends heavily on proper planning and meeting nutritional needs, rather than solely on the dietary pattern itself.

Vegetarian athletes should pay close attention to several key nutrients. These include iron, calcium, and zinc, which are often found in higher concentrations or are better absorbed from animal sources. Vitamin B12, which is not found in plant foods, requires supplementation or consumption of fortified foods.

Athletes adopt vegetarian diets for various reasons, including ethical beliefs concerning animal welfare, environmental concerns, and perceived health and performance benefits. Some report benefits like faster recovery and reduced inflammation due to the antioxidant-rich nature of a plant-based diet.

Many high-profile athletes, such as Lewis Hamilton and Novak Djokovic, are vegan, meaning they exclude all animal products. Others may follow a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet that includes eggs and dairy. The term 'plant-based' is often used more broadly to describe a diet centered on plants.

Vegetarian athletes can successfully build strength and muscle mass by consuming a sufficient amount and variety of plant-based protein sources, coupled with proper training. Studies have shown no significant differences in strength parameters between vegetarian and omnivorous groups.