People opt to become vegetarians for various reasons. Be it health, religion, personal or the dislike of animal slaughter for food, just to mention a few, the underlying benefit of this diet plan is a very healthy life.
According to the American Dietetic Association, “appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.”
A growing movement, some of our favorite celebrities have chosen to adopt that dietary plan and have also become strong advocates for it.
With that being said, we share with you some black celebrities you never knew were vegan.
Check them out below:
Russel Simmons — Photo via @unclerush on Instagram
Russell Simmons
The legendary music and business mogul became a vegetarian as far back as 1997.
According to Rush Communications: “The change to a vegan diet began with his spiritual journey into the world of meditation and yoga. Having compassion for animals, along with his practice of non-harming, made the transition to veganism a natural effect of his growing mindfulness.”
The Diet for a New America movie also inspired and convinced him to “give up animal products for the benefit of his own health and the health of the environment.”
Venus Williams — Photo via @venuswilliams on Instagram
Venus Williams
Following her doctor’s advice, the tennis champion switched to a vegetarian diet after she was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder.
Initially starting with a raw vegan diet, she later added some cooked foods as it was unsustainable.
“That way of eating was just hard to maintain for long periods of time,” she told Insider. “Sometimes you just need something more substantial — some rice, some potatoes — after a workout.”
Mike Tyson — Photo via @miketyson on Instagram
Mike Tyson
According to the World Heavyweight boxing champion, Tyson lost over 140 pounds when he switched to a vegan diet.
In an interview with ABC News in 2013, he said: “I was real carnivilous [sic] when I was training for fights – a lot of meat, cheese, bread. I devoured everything besides pork. I used to eat a lot. As I got older I didn’t like the way I was feeling. I had a lot of arthritis, joint problems and I was morbidly obeast [sic].”
He added: “My wife who was not my wife at the time, she changes her diet all the time. I says, ‘what is this you’re doing?’ And she says, ‘I’m eating vegan for a month or two weeks.’ Well, I said that’s what I’m going to do too, I want to do that. Cause I was just eating things without even figuring out what they are. And that’s how I’ve been for four and a half years.”
Erykah Badu — Photo via @erykahbadu on Instagram
Erykah Badu
The award-winning musician became a vegetarian while she was in high school in 1989.
“I’ve eaten like a vegan since 1997, so it’ll be 20 years next year,” she told People in an interview in 2016. “I wouldn’t call myself a vegan because I don’t subscribe to any type of organizations. It’s just what’s best for my body. If I was a Lamborghini I would want to put the best gas in it.”
RZA — Photo via @rza on Instagram
RZA
The Wu-Tang clan member is a strict vegan and a staunch PETA supporter.
