The Journey to Vegetarianism
Gemma Atkinson's dietary evolution began long before her public announcement in 2020. She has been on a gradual journey towards a more compassionate way of eating for many years. In her twenties, she decided to stop eating red meat entirely. The final step of giving up chicken and fish came more recently, with her decision to become vegetarian in late 2019, which she celebrated in her Instagram post. This decision was heavily influenced by her ethical beliefs. Speaking with Fabulous magazine, Gemma revealed that her partner, Gorka Marquez, played a part in encouraging her to make the final transition. He pointed out the distress she felt after eating chicken and suggested she commit fully to becoming vegetarian, which she ultimately did.
Ethical Motivations and Wellness Benefits
For Atkinson, the decision was deeply personal and rooted in her love for animals. In her own words, she found herself constantly torn between believing that all animals deserve to live and feeling the societal pressure to consume protein from meat sources. She ultimately realized that meat is simply one source of protein among many and that a vegetarian diet could easily sustain her physically while aligning with her mental and ethical values. After making the switch, she reported feeling mentally and physically better, noting improvements in her energy levels and training performance. Her positive experience proves that a plant-focused diet can be a powerful tool for wellness, not a hindrance.
Vegetarian vs. Vegan: What Gemma Eats
It is important to clarify the distinction between vegetarianism and veganism, as Gemma is often mislabeled. While both diets exclude meat, veganism is more restrictive, also avoiding all animal-derived products, including dairy, eggs, and honey. As a vegetarian, Gemma does consume some animal products. She has spoken about enjoying a wide range of foods, including a cheese omelette for breakfast and vegetarian chilli with cheese, demonstrating that her diet is not entirely plant-based. However, she is conscious of limiting her dairy intake and often uses plant-based alternatives, such as almond milk in her porridge oats. Additionally, she has been known to use vegan supplements, such as BoxedOff Super Greens, highlighting her interest in incorporating plant-based products into her routine.
| Feature | Vegetarian Diet | Vegan Diet | Gemma Atkinson's Diet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat | No | No | No |
| Chicken/Fish | No | No | No |
| Eggs | Yes | No | Yes |
| Dairy | Yes | No | Yes (limited) |
| Honey | Yes | No | Unknown |
| Supplements | Depends | Yes (for strict vegans) | Uses some vegan supplements |
Gemma's Balanced Approach to Nutrition
While her diet is predominantly focused on nutrient-dense foods, Atkinson is a big believer in balance. She follows an 80/20 approach, aiming to eat what her body needs 80% of the time, and indulging in what her body wants for the remaining 20%. This means that on the weekends, she might enjoy a pizza, pasta, or a glass of wine without guilt. Her approach promotes a healthy relationship with food, proving that a disciplined diet can still be flexible and enjoyable. She also emphasizes consistency and persistence over perfection, urging people to be patient with their bodies as they adjust to dietary changes.
How a Vegetarian Diet Fuels Her Fitness
Atkinson's impressive fitness routine is a testament to the power of a well-planned vegetarian diet. She is known for her disciplined training, which includes heavy strength days, cardio, and mobility work. To fuel this regimen, she focuses on consuming adequate protein, fats, and fibre. Her meals often feature staples like eggs, avocado, spinach, sweet potato, and oats with protein powder, which provide the energy and nutrients necessary for her demanding workouts. She also prioritizes meal preparation, which helps her stay on track and avoid unhealthy choices when she is busy. Her success shows that you don't need meat to build muscle and maintain a high level of fitness.
Fitness Routine Highlights
- Free Weights: She uses a variety of free weights, including dumbbells and kettlebells, for strength training to build balanced muscle.
- Compound Exercises: Her workouts often incorporate compound movements like squats and lunges, which work multiple muscle groups simultaneously for maximum efficiency.
- Cardio: She mixes in cardio workouts, such as using a weighted vest on the stairmaster or going for long walks.
- Mobility and Stretching: Atkinson recognizes the importance of recovery and mobility, incorporating stretching routines into her daily schedule.
- Morning Workouts: She often trains in the early morning to ensure her workouts get done before the day's commitments take over.
Conclusion
To answer the initial question, Gemma Atkinson is not vegan but has been a devoted vegetarian since late 2019. Her dietary choices are driven by personal ethics, health, and wellness, proving that a vegetarian diet can easily support a physically active and healthy lifestyle. By adopting an 80/20 approach and focusing on balanced nutrition, she has found a sustainable and enjoyable way to eat that aligns with her values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gemma Atkinson's reasons for becoming vegetarian?
Gemma Atkinson became vegetarian primarily for ethical reasons, citing her love for animals and feeling emotionally conflicted about eating meat. She also noticed positive effects on her training and energy levels.
Does Gemma Atkinson ever eat meat?
No, Gemma Atkinson stopped eating all meat in late 2019 when she officially became a vegetarian. She had already given up red meat many years prior.
Is Gemma Atkinson's diet entirely plant-based?
No, Gemma is not entirely plant-based. While she limits her dairy intake and uses some vegan products, her vegetarian diet includes eggs.
What is the 80/20 rule that Gemma Atkinson follows?
Gemma Atkinson follows an 80/20 rule with her diet, meaning she focuses on eating nutritious food 80% of the time and allows herself to have treats like pizza or wine on weekends.
What kind of food does Gemma Atkinson eat for breakfast?
For breakfast, Gemma often eats a high-protein meal like a cheese omelette with greens, or porridge oats with almond milk and protein powder.
How does Gemma Atkinson get enough protein as a vegetarian?
As a vegetarian, Gemma gets her protein from sources like eggs, protein powder, nuts, and legumes. She ensures her diet is balanced to fuel her demanding fitness routine.
Does Gemma Atkinson use vegan beauty products?
Yes, Gemma Atkinson has spoken about using vegan and cruelty-free products from companies like Tropic. She is also a fan of BoxedOff Super Greens, which is a vegan supplement.
What does Gemma Atkinson's fitness routine involve?
Her routine includes heavy strength training, cardio with a weighted vest, compound exercises, and mobility work. She often trains in the mornings to stay consistent.
