Push Admin

NBA: Suns’ Paul says plant-based diet fueling push for Finals return

Article (news)

Rory Carroll, Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony against Phoenix guard Chris Paul in a preseason game on October 6, 2021. Mark J. Rebilas, USA Today Sports/Reuters" src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/10/28/20211028-lakers.jpg"/><figcaption>Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony against Phoenix guard Chris Paul in a preseason game on October 6, 2021. <em>Mark J. Rebilas, USA Today Sports/Reuters</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>LOS ANGELES—When Suns point guard Chris Paul first heard about plant-based diets upon arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago the native of barbecue-loving North Carolina was anything but tempted.</p><p>&quot;I was like, &#x27;Nah, I&#x27;m cool off this&#x27;,&quot; a smiling Paul told Reuters in an interview. &quot;I&#x27;m from the south, and we eat every piece of the pig you can find.&quot;</p><p>But when the 36-year-old perennial All-Star finally took the leap he was astonished by the impact it had on his health.</p><p>&quot;It has been life-changing,&quot; said Paul, who joins U.S. women&#x27;s soccer team striker Alex Morgan, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields and Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton in going vegan.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/04/16/21/fil-am-chef-creates-vegan-versions-of-filipino-food-in-california">Fil-Am chef creates vegan versions of Filipino food in California</a></li></ul><p>Reduced inflammation has cut down on his recovery time between games during the grueling NBA season, which Paul hopes will end with the Suns back in the Finals after coming two wins short of a championship in July.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/03/17/21/what-is-seitan-the-vegan-protein-alternative-going-viral-online">What is seitan? The vegan protein alternative going viral online</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Playing as many games as I play throughout the course of a season, everything is about recovery. How fast can my body recover?</p><p>&quot;And being plant-based, the recovery changed just like that,&quot; he said, snapping his fingers.</p><p>Other health issues, like his chronically clogged sinuses, also improved once he made the switch.</p><p>&quot;The more I dive into it, the more my body has changed. I&#x27;m grateful,&quot; he said.</p><div><strong>SHARED EXPERIENCE</strong></div><p>Paul felt compelled to share his experience with those in his orbit and counts his brother, a business manager, and team mate Jay Crowder among those who have followed his lead in ditching meat and dairy.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/12/13/20/vegan-samgyupsal-mga-lutong-nakasanayan-puwedeng-gawing-mas-healthy">Vegan samgyupsal, mga lutong nakasanayan puwedeng gawing mas healthy</a></li></ul><p>Now Paul, one of the all-time great floor generals and an influential voice on issues of racial inequality, has bigger ambitions. He plans to introduce plant-based foods to communities that have never really had the option.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/08/26/20/it-just-happened-right-away-john-arcilla-shares-how-he-stopped-eating-meat">&#x27;It just happened right away&#x27;: John Arcilla shares how he stopped eating meat</a></li></ul><p>&quot;If you live in a neighborhood and on the corner all you have is soda and fast food restaurants, then that&#x27;s what&#x27;s affordable and that&#x27;s what&#x27;s accessible,&quot; he said.</p><p>To change that, Paul has invested in plant-based shake company Koia to put their drinks in vending machines on the campuses of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU).</p><p>&quot;First and foremost, they have to be introduced,&quot; said Paul, who wore HBCU apparel during the NBA Bubble and who is perusing a communications degree at Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU.</p><p>&quot;To go on to these college campuses and to try to educate kids is a great place to start.&quot;</p><p>The younger someone is exposed to plant-based options, the better, he said.</p><p>&quot;I didn&#x27;t learn any of this until I was 33, 34. But better late than never,&quot; he said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/08/20/vegan-rivals-smell-blood-as-virus-hits-meat-supply">Vegan rivals smell blood as virus hits meat supply</a></li></ul><p>Paul, who has previously invested in plant-based meat substitute company Beyond Meat, hopes to be part of a broader systemic shift in how people think about food.</p><p>&quot;More people are going to start to see the benefits.&quot; <em>(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken Ferris)</em></p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1812602" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Health issues, like his chronically clogged sinuses, improved once Paul made the switch to plant-based diet.

NBA: Suns’ Paul says plant-based diet fueling push for Finals return

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Sports

NBA: Suns’ Paul says plant-based diet fueling push for Finals return

Rory Carroll,

Reuters

Published Oct 29, 2021 04:31 AM PHT

|

Updated Oct 29, 2021 06:43 AM PHT

Read More:

NBA

Chris Paul

Phoenix Suns

NBA Finals

plant-based diet

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.