Lewis Hamilton is widely regarded as one of the best racing drivers in the modern Formula One history, so it’s not surprising that the media showed interest in pretty much every aspect of his life – including his diet.
Lewis Hamilton is vegan, and he’s been very outspoken about his decision to embrace this lifestyle. He described veganism as “the only way to truly save our planet”, and admitted he decided to go vegan because of its positive effect on the environment, and human health.
Stick around to learn more about Hamilton’s vegan diet, how it impacted his life, and the criticism he faced after embracing it.
Hamilton’s Concern for Environment
Back in 2017, Lewis Hamilton discussed his decision to go vegan with BBC, and explained that one of the main reasons why he’s done it was his concern for the environment, and animal welfare. He decided to change his lifestyle after watching the documentary What the Health, which made him realize how meat consumption led to pollution on a global scale.
Two years later, he posted a lengthy statement in his Instagram story, describing veganism as “the only way to truly save our planet” and urging everyone to embrace it.
“I urge you to do some research, find the compassion I know you have within you to recognize what you are contributing to in terms of what you eat which keeps the meat and dairy industry flourishing and therefore, deforestation, animal cruelty, our seas and climate decaying on a daily basis,” wrote the British race driver.
Hamilton’s decision to go vegan wasn’t without its critics. Many have branded him as a hypocrite, because he’s part of the industry that has a negative impact on the environment. Hamilton recognized the fact he has a higher carbon footprint than an average person, but said that shouldn’t stop him from looking for ways to “improve the effect that [he’s] having on the world.”
Hamilton’s Concern for Health
Lewis Hamilton didn’t only decide to go vegan because it’s good for the environment. He also did it out of concern for his personal help, since he has a history of heart disease and cancer in his family.
“I don’t want in 10 or 20 years to have diabetes or catch any of that stuff. I can continue to decide to eat that stuff and take that risk, but when you get [a disease or illness like that], you want to make change, so I am trying to pre-empt that,” Hamilton told BBC.
Going vegan turned out to be one of the best decisions he ever made, and he told GQ that it helped him eradicate “big oscillations and highs and lows in [his] energy levels.” Hamilton also told The New York Times that the plant-based diet had a positive impact on his daily life, and that he believes it will only get better as his body gets more used to it.
What Does Lewis Hamilton Eat?
Back in 2018, Business Insider analyzed Hamilton’s diet in detail, and revealed what he may be having for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Formula One champion said he enjoys eating porridge in the morning, but he switches things up every once in a while and goes for beans on toast instead.
The list of plant-based dishes he enjoyed eating in the past includes slow-cooked zucchini, and orzo pasta with steamed green beans and sundried tomatoes. Going vegan isn’t stopping Hamilton from enjoying plant-based pancakes and burgers. He even became a co-owner of a vegan restaurant Neat Burger, because he wanted to offer a healthier high street option to people who follow a plant-based diet.
“I’m very passionate about being kinder to our world and also really respect Neat Burger’s commitment to more ethical practices and supporting small businesses, so this is something I’m also really proud to support,” said Hamilton about this business endeavor.