Arnold Schwarzenegger is loving his mostly-vegan diet. The Austrian-American politician, actor, and former professional bodybuilder eats Beyond Meat and drinks almond milk to power him through the day.
The 38th Governor of California recently appeared on the Men’s Health “Gym & Fridge” YouTube series to show fans what his diet and exercise regime looks like.
Schwarzenegger’s “office refrigerator” is stocked with vegetables and fruit; his go-to snack for when it’s hot is cut-up watermelons. The fridge also contains plant-based ground beef by Beyond Meat.
For protein, the “Terminator” star turns to smoothies made with Califia Farms’ almond milk, tart cherry juice, and banana. The only non-vegan ingredient is an egg.
When asked about his typical diet, Schwarzenegger revealed that he is now “health-conscious” and that he wasn’t always this way. He used to eat 10 to 15 eggs a day and “a lot of meat,” he revealed in a promotional video for the upcoming documentary “The Game Changers.”
“Now I eat more oatmeal, and greens, and vegetables, and healthy foods,” the 72-year-old said to Men’s Health.
“I stay away more from the meats and more from animal products, and animal proteins, because there was this misconception that that’s the only way you get big and strong, so now I back off that and I feel much better,” Schwarzenegger, who has won the Mr. Olympia contest seven times, explained.
He doesn’t dislike many foods, except for cow’s milk. “I hate cow’s milk. I drink almond milk. It is much better,” he said.
Schwarzenegger takes supplements but reminds viewers that “they’re called supplements to supplement what you eat.”
“So the key thing is not to rely on the supplements as much as you rely on good food. Natural food, a lot of greens, a lot of fruits, and a lot of really good proteins,” he said.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and ‘The Game Changers’
Schwarzenegger’s move toward plant-based food has benefited his health. In the video for “The Game Changers,” a documentary that debunks the myth that athletes need meat to excel, Schwarzenegger revealed his cholesterol dropped to around 109 after ditching animal products. “It was the lowest that it ever was in my entire life,” he said.
Schwarzenegger also spoke about the glorification of animal products, explaining that the myth that meat is needed for protein and strength is a result of marketing. “This is great, great marketing by the meat industry,” he said. “Selling the idea that real men eat meat. But you’ve got to understand: that’s marketing. That’s not based on reality.”
As well as the health improvements, the athlete says he “loves” plant-based food “much more than meat” anyway.
