Vegan NFL, Protein Sale & Gym Deal

•Men's Journal published an article in December about the trend of veganism and vegetariasm in the NFL. It's a good read and actually approaches the issues with intelligence and research as opposed to ridicule and myth. Author Kevin Gray takes a critical perspective when it comes to the hazing and ridiculing that these guys endure when they switch their diets to once seen as less masculine. But, according to some NFL nutritionists interviewed, the 'larger' concern are players eating junk foods like Count Chocula and fried chicken. Staying huge for your NFL career might be effective for blocking big guys during those several years, but it does not mean it's the best diet overall. In the long-run, according to the Center for Disease Ccontrol,  "NFL linemen in particular – guys who spend their lives gorging on cheeseburgers and fried chicken – have a 52 percent greater risk of dying from heart disease than the general population." Most of the linemen who went vegan ended up reintroducing small amounts of animal products pack into their diet because, while endurance, recovery and energy increased, they had trouble remaining unnaturally massive. For others, it worked great:

Four months after Arian Foster tweeted that he had stopped eating meat, eggs, and all other animal foods, the Houston Texans running back was grinding out more yards on the field than nearly any other player in the NFL. By early November, he had amassed 168 carries – for 659 yards – and nine touchdowns.

• Inspired? If so now is a perfect time to test out some vegan protein from Vega. They are having a Buy-One-Get-One-at-50%-Off sale through BodyBuilding.com.

• If you hit the gym in New York City you might also see Zachary Koval, voted Peta's "Sexiest Vegetarian" endorsing pant-based diet as a good way to get a statuesque physique. David Barton Gym is offering Peta members free enrollment when you join by January 31st - so that's one more day to sign up free!