A ranked list of the best vegan bodybuilders in the world currently: No meat, no problem!

Vegan bodybuilders have found good results fueling themselves in their pursuit of size and definition. They have been successful in traditional categories like classic bodybuilding figures, physiques, and fitness and have won titles. Plants (including vegetables, grains, nuts, and fruits) and plant-based foods comprise a vegan diet's foundation.

These athletes have demonstrated over the decades that they can get all the protein and minerals they need by adhering to a vegan diet. Most of them have been granted Pro Cards by prestigious bodybuilding organizations, prompting competitors to rethink their diets.

Are there any vegan bodybuilders?

There are a few professional bodybuilders who are vegan. Jehina Malik is known to have been a vegan from birth. She is right now among the best bodybuilders in the world. Check out this list of the best vegan bodybuilders in the game.

10. Samantha Shorkey

In 2011 she became the first vegan World Naturals (WNBF) Professional. She encourages others to adopt her lifestyle and has coached a former carnivore who became a vegan and won $200,000 in a 12-week transformation challenge, beating out 345,000 other entrants.

Samantha, a 40-year-old woman, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and 125 pounds, loves quinoa, spinach, tofu, and beans. She gets her healthy fats from flax oil, olive oil, and Vega EFA oil and eats a lot of vegetables and fruit.

9. Ivan Blazquez

With a master's degree and certification in exercise physiology, Ivan is fully immersed in the fitness community. Ivan decided to go vegan in 2013 to help him with his weight loss efforts. The now 46-year-old put in the work and is reaping the benefits, having won medals at the Garden State Pro Show (2013, 2015), the Central Florida Classic Pro Show (2014, 2016), and the NGA Western States Championships (2016, 2018).

He is a multitalented athlete who has won many triathlons despite being only 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing about 162 pounds during competition. Ivan says oatmeal, fruit, nuts and seeds, and green tea are some of his favourite pre-workout foods. He says that after a workout, he enjoys eating things like garlic, dark leafy greens, papaya, turmeric, and ginger. Fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds make up the bulk of his diet.

8. Maayan Eliasi

Israeli bodybuilder Maayan, age 40, had a breakout year in 2018. At that time, she entered the Over 30 category of Israel's NABBA competition and came out on top.

Her victories at the WNBF Israel Fit Body and Overall Fit Body competitions earned her a Pro Card in the WNBF. She's not just a pretty face; she's also strong, having won a powerlifting competition by deadlifting 135 kilograms.

Maayan is so committed to her vegan lifestyle that she will not even consider eating honey or animal products. She primarily bases her diet on legumes, especially lupine, chickpeas, and lentils, but also regularly consumes seitan, tofu, and peanut butter.

7. Jehina Malik

Jehina has a competition weight of 116-118 pounds at just 5 feet one inch tall. In 2014, at her first international competition, Team Universe, she was awarded her IFBB pro card after winning the NPC Eastern USA Bodybuilding Championship in 2013. Jehina, a vegan from birth, entered the competition at 19.

Jehina recommends a variety of plant-based meals, including potatoes and tofu before a workout and cous cous with vegan chicken or another plant-based protein and broccoli afterwards. Jehina enjoys cashews, other nuts, lentils and dishes made with them.

6. Nimai Delgado

Nimai is a lifelong vegetarian who grew up in Mississippi. She is one of the bodybuilders showcasing on Instagram. At the 2018 Arnold Sports Festival, Nimai competed in the physique division after earning his IFBB pro card at the 2016 NPC USA Championships in Las Vegas. He is so muscular that Muscle & Fitness featured him on its cover.

Nimai, about 175 pounds, follows a plant-based diet that includes tofu, tempeh, beans and lentils, edamame, hemp, seeds, rice, quinoa, potatoes, and an abundance of vegetables. Shakes made with pea and hemp protein powder are his go-to, and his go-to snacks include PB&J sandwiches, oatmeal, fruit, vegetables and hummus, and avocado toast.

5. Shelli Beecher-Seitzler

Shelli began competing as a vegan bodybuilder in her forties, making her a latecomer to the sport. Her professional accolades include the Washington State Natural Puget Sound Pro-Am Fit Body and Master's Figure titles.

As a vegan competitor, Shelli, 49, is making waves in bodybuilding. Spinach, kale, broccoli, mushrooms, cauliflower, green beans, pepper, tempeh, blueberries, apples, grapefruit, quinoa, lentils, garbanzo beans, nut butter, and brown rice are some of Shelli's favourite foods to prepare.

4. Leah Coutts

Leah first qualified for the professional ranks in 2022, winning the figure classique division at the Ms. Fitness Australia bodybuilding competition. She went on to win the pro category at the Fitness Universe competition, earning her the title of Figure Universe Champion.

Some of Leah's favourite vegan staples are simple meals of vegetables, lentils, rice, tofu, and plant-based chicken. She also enjoys protein oats and fruit and protein chocolate pancakes. Dates with peanut butter are her go-to munchie.

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3. Patrik Baboumian

Patrik adopted a vegan lifestyle in 2011 after maintaining a vegetarian diet since 2005. At 43, he won the IFBB Junior Bodybuilding championship in 1999 and the Overall Junior Champion title at the Gießen Campions-Cup in 2002. He is widely recognized as the most formidable individual in Germany and potentially holds the title of the most potent individual globally.

He frequently participates in International Federation of Strength Athletes (IFSA) strongman competitions. His dietary intake predominantly consists of fruit and vegetable smoothies, vegan sausage and falafel, tofu, potatoes, and various vegetables.

2. Suzanne Llano

Suzanne has actively participated in over 25 bodybuilding competitions throughout her professional journey. At 52, she achieved victory in the Domestic Figure Open competition and has participated in the National Physique Committee (NPC) as a professional figure competitor on four occasions. Suzanne's daily meal plan as a vegan bodybuilder consists of essential food items such as steel-cut oats, fresh fruit, seitan, high-protein nuts and seeds, lentils and beans, vegetables, and whole grains.

1. Torre Washington

Torre, 48 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 168 pounds light, vegan since 1998, and dedicated to a sustainable lifestyle. Torre competed in an SNBF event and won the open division at Musclemania Universe, earning him a professional card. Tofu, pea protein, lentils, beans, rice, and oats are some of her favourite plant-based protein sources.

What do vegan bodybuilders eat?

To promote muscle growth and recovery, vegan bodybuilders must pay attention to their overall macronutrient intake, including protein, carbohydrates, and fats. To meet their energy needs, it is essential to eat enough calories, so meal planning should centre on nutrient-dense foods. Since a vegan diet often lacks vital nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and calcium, some vegans use these substances to fortify their meals.

How do vegan bodybuilders get protein?

Most vegan bodybuilders try to eat various foods to cover all the nutritional bases. Vegans can get plenty of protein from lentils, beans, and tofu, among other plant-based foods. In addition to grains like quinoa, oats, and kamut, nuts and seeds make for healthy alternatives.

What do vegan bodybuilders eat for protein?

Eating a wide variety of plant foods every day and supplementing with vegan protein powder can help vegans meet their daily protein needs. The health benefits of a vegan diet hold for both sexes.

A remarkable transformation occurs in today's fitness world as more athletes embrace plant-based diets. Vegan bodybuilders are proving that one can achieve awe-inspiring physiques without consuming meat or animal products. From dominating competitions to inspiring countless others, they have rightfully earned their place in the world's list of the best vegan bodybuilders.

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