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Redfairen

(1,276 posts)
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 12:35 PM Jan 2013

Venus Williams talks about being a "cheagan," a vegan who cheats on her diet

Venus Williams has made the dietary leap from steak lover to vegan but admits that in times of weakness she is a "cheagan." That's Venus-talk for a cheating vegan.

"If it's on your plate, I might get to cheat. If you're sitting next to me, good luck. You turn your head once, and your food might be gone," Williams said, in good spirits after starting her Australian Open campaign Monday with a quick 6-1, 6-0 win over Galina Voskoboeva.

"I think it's pretty well known I'm a cheagan, "the seven-time Grand Slam winner said, laughing. "I'm not perfect, but I try."

On her website the 32-year-old American refers to this phase of her life as "Venus A.D." — Venus After Diagnosis.

Food is not the only difference between then and now, but it is one of the big lifestyle changes Williams has made since being diagnosed in 2011 with an immune system illness that had caused her years of mysterious symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue and muscle pain.

Williams went public with her illness after withdrawing from her second-round match at the 2011 U.S. Open and then took seven months off tennis, skipping last year's Australian Open as she learned how to manage the disease known as Sjogren's syndrome.

Her website, www.venuswilliams.com, says Williams' vegan diet is designed to decrease inflammation in her body and reduce the energy-sapping symptoms of the disease "by not overloading her body with excess calories, pesticides or sugars."


http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/01/venus_williams_talks_about_bei.html#incart_river_default

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Venus Williams talks about being a "cheagan," a vegan who cheats on her diet (Original Post) Redfairen Jan 2013 OP
"... by not overloading her body with excess ... pesticides ..." BlueStreak Jan 2013 #1
This sounds like a good plan for everyone... Kalidurga Jan 2013 #2
In other words, she is not a vegan. demmiblue Jan 2013 #3
:shakes head: WillParkinson Jan 2013 #4
Why not just call herself a flexitarian??? obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #5
I like it. flvegan Jan 2013 #6
I've been eating a vegan diet lately. Liberal Jesus Freak Jan 2013 #7
 

BlueStreak

(8,377 posts)
1. "... by not overloading her body with excess ... pesticides ..."
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 01:54 PM
Jan 2013

Is there a nutritionally helpful level of pesticides? I mean do we need a certain amount of pesticides just to make sure there aren't any ants living in our belly?

Kalidurga

(14,177 posts)
2. This sounds like a good plan for everyone...
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 02:34 PM
Jan 2013

by not overloading her body with excess calories, pesticides or sugars.

demmiblue

(37,866 posts)
3. In other words, she is not a vegan.
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 05:57 PM
Jan 2013

I do applaud her, though, for trying to consume less animal products.




Liberal Jesus Freak

(1,458 posts)
7. I've been eating a vegan diet lately.
Tue Jan 15, 2013, 05:11 PM
Jan 2013

I must say I admire you all--it has required an amazing amount of creativity at first. But I FEEL so much better. I miss chicken and seafood but i love all the veggies and fruit, too. I don't know if I'll go back or not--I really miss parmesan cheese, too!

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