“If gorillas, elephants are some of the strongest animals on the planet from only eating plants, why can’t I be?”

65-year old former bodybuilder and personal trainer Dusan Dudas has credited a plant-based diet for keeping him going strong and healthy.

The four- time winner of the Mr. New Zealand amateur bodybuilding contest, most recently in 2015 at age 60, has been eating a vegan diet, rich in raw vegetables and fruits for over 10 years now.

“People think that the best protein is only from meat and dairy products, but they forget one important thing,” Dudas told Insider.

 “If gorillas, elephants are some of the strongest animals on the planet from only eating plants, why can’t I be?” Dudas said.

Slovakian Dudas, moved to New Zealand in 1994, and tasted success in amateur bodybuilding competitions.

Dudas’ journey towards a plant-based life

Dudas transitioned to a plant-based diet following a health crisis at age 52.

Doctors diagnosed him with high cholesterol and high blood pressure and prescribed life-time medications to manage his serious risk of heart problems.

His wife, however, recommended he change his eating habits and gave him a book about the health benefits of veganism, which eventually turned his life around.

“I went vegan overnight. For three weeks, I ate nothing but fresh vegetables and greens,” Dudas said.

 “Then when I went to see a specialist, he was the one who nearly collapsed, because he couldn’t believe how fantastic my condition was.”

Dudas now follows an 80% raw diet with grains and legumes making up the rest of his diet.

Dudas’ diet

The Insider gives a detailed breakup of Dudas’ diet, which he has been following for years.

It includes drinking a tea of stinging nettle leaves and distilled water, first thing in the morning followed by a “power juice” — a freshly-juiced blend of four carrots, and apple, a beetroot, 2 small turmeric roots, ginger, and broccoli.

He then feasts on a fruit salad of bananas, apples, wheat grass, and lemon along with a generous serving of raw oats, soaked in Italy’s organic soy milk. 

 His lunch includes cooked lentils with two cloves of garlic and nutritional yeast while dinner comprises two baked sweet potatoes and some oven-roasted pumpkin.

Dudas added that while his diet is mostly raw, he does snack on vegan chicken- the only kind of processed food he enjoys.

“I haven’t had to do anything differently, because I feel great,” Dudas said.

Although he is diligent about following a proper exercise routine, for his impressive physique he is not a cardio-fan.

“I don’t do cardio, I can lose fat any time I want,” he said.

“Success,in bodybuilding is 80% correct diet.

“I’m still working out, and I’m still in very good shape. I can’t complain.”

• Read: Pro vegan health coach credits plant-based diet for cystic acne cure

Share this story to let others know about the health benefits of following a plant-based diet.