NBA Legend Chris Paul Explains Why He Decided to Go Plant-Based
Last summer, nine-time NBA All Star and two-time Olympic Gold medalist Chris Paul thought he finally might be slowing down. The 34-year-old point guard (now playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder) was entering his fifteenth season in the league, and he found himself balling next to 19 and 20 year olds. In other words: he was feeling slow.
Earlier that year, Paul had worked on the documentary The Game Changers, a controversial film, which Men’s Health fact checked, about the dangers of carnivorous consumption habits—and the boons of plant-based alternatives. As a competitor, Paul wanted whatever advantage a new diet might grant. Plus, he wanted to see if he could do it. So Chris Paul passed on meat.
“People on the internet always wanna judge my game, my body, my style,” he told Men’s Health in a recent video interview. Paul stopped by the Men’s Health offices the day after a game in Brooklyn to face his internet opponents and plant-curious fans. The NBA All Star talked about his new, late-career energy, his decision to go plant, and why he’d never trade bodies with Kevin Hart. (Don’t worry; the two are friends.)
On going plant-based diet
“I chose a plant-based life. So far, so good. Not easy. But for me it’s working. I started plant-based in June. I went cold turkey. I tell you: I was itching. I thought I needed a chicken wing or something. But somehow I made it through. I had the opportunity to executive produce a move/documentary called Game Changers, which talks about plant-based diets and how it helps athletes. For me, being as competitive as I am, I looked at this and I was like: hold up, let me try this out. And I tried it, and the first thing that changes when you go plant based—and it might be too much information—is going to the rest room. It becomes … a lot faster. A whole lot faster.”
“I do feel really good right now. I think the biggest change for me is the aches and pains of the season. I started working out and training and I got to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and I thought, am I not lifting hard enough? Am I not training hard enough? Why am I not achy? I ain’t trying to say you have to stay with it, but give it a try.”
A post shared by Chris Paul (@cp3) on Sep 4, 2019 at 10:36am PDT
Where he wants to end his career
"Last year was Houston. When I was in L.A., I wanted to end it there. Where I want to end my career is somewhere where you’re appreciated. It sounds like a weird answer, but that’s been the coolest part even right now in Oklahoma. I started my career there. Life happened and I ended up there, and it’s been great being back and around everyone."
Crazy how life comes full circle!! Blessed ???? #Year15
A post shared by Chris Paul (@cp3) on Oct 1, 2019 at 1:04pm PDT
Cheat day meal
"If you spent a day with me now, you’d just be like: man, that’s what you’re eating? My cheat day meal now: I like cookies. It’s so crazy being 34 and having teammates who are 19 and 20. Having to chase these guys around. I’m always conscious of how much sugar I’m getting. But understand, there’s always a method to the madness. There’s a reason why I try to eat the way I do and be as disciplined as possible."
You Might Also Like