Vegan powerlifter says diet change improved his recovery

Estonian powerlifter Gert Koovit says switching to a vegan diet helped with his health concerns and made his recovery faster. He spoke to ERR’s Ringvaade programme about the change.

Koovit said his joints began hurting nine years ago as he pushed himself harder in training, and he worried that further strain could lead to health problems. His wife, who had been vegan for some time, suggested he try vegan products. After four days of eating vegan food, he said, he felt so good that he did not want to go back.

Koovit said he now feels very well and considers faster recovery the biggest benefit for an athlete. He said he eats 180 to 240 grams of protein a day, along with about three times as much carbohydrate, including oats, rice and potatoes. As a powerlifter, he said, he needs plenty of energy and must maintain a high body weight.

He recalled growing up on traditional rural food in a family with six boys and one girl, where they typically drank eight litres of milk a day. When he was training in London, he said, he was one of the smaller men at his club. After he began setting Estonian records and winning medals, larger athletes asked him what he was doing and started trying vegan food themselves.

Koovit said he believes meat-based meals can contribute to inflammation, especially when combined with strenuous training. He also said vegan food allows him to eat more often, and that he feels less heavy after meals.