VEGAN PERSONALITY
Thomas Müller loves a plant-based alternative
The professional footballer on his role as brand ambassador for meat alternatives
What kind of diet does the Bavarian pro footballer follow and how compatible does he think performance sports and a plant-based lifestyle are? In an interview he tells us how his collaboration with the Munich-based start-up for vegan meat alternatives, Greenforce, came about, his ideal breakfast on training days and much more.
QUESTION: You advocate for vegan dietary options as part of your collaboration with start-up GREENFORCE and often follow a plant-based diet yourself. When did you opt for this type of diet and why?
THOMAS MÜLLER: I’ve always maintained a very balanced diet and now GREENFORCE and its wide range of products have made it easy for all of us to switch to plant-based alternatives to classic meat dishes without having to forego any enjoyment.
Mindful consumption without missing out
QUESTION: How important are sustainability and animal welfare to you?
THOMAS MÜLLER: I’m not a fan of extremes or completely abstaining. For me it’s more important to consume mindfully and to be aware of the resource consumption associated with our diets. For me that means consciously incorporating plant-based proteins and alternatives in my diet.
QUESTION: How did your collaboration with GREENFORCE come about and what is it about this vegan meat alternative producer that excites you?
THOMAS MÜLLER: It was through a good friend of mine that the company came to my attention. Since I’m always interested in new things, I ended up meeting the management team and taking part in an initial tasting. The products absolutely blew me away, in fact I helped myself to the vegan pâté on bread several times!
Inspire, don’t lecture
I thought the concept and the products were cool and especially liked the fact that GREENFORCE is all about inspiring, not lecturing. That’s key for me. Being involved in a company as innovative as GREENFORCE is great fun.
QUESTION: Elite-level sports and a vegan diet, does that combination work well for you? What are your tips for performing at your best?
THOMAS MÜLLER: As a professional athlete it goes without saying I prioritise a balanced diet and rely on quality proteins that provide me with the energy I need when I’m training and during games – these can be animal or equally brilliant plant-based proteins.
Yes, even in Bavaria, you can get alternatives to traditional meat dishes
QUESTION: Is veganism catching on in elite-level football too?
THOMAS MÜLLER: You can see how much more open players are to this type of diet today. There are very few footballers who follow a completely vegan diet, but many are trying to incorporate more and more vegan elements.
QUESTION: With Oktoberfest and Bavarian traditional meat-based cuisine, vegans have long been mocked in Bavaria, but this has been changing rapidly over the last few years. What’s your experience?
THOMAS MÜLLER: I grew up with (often meat-heavy) Bavarian fare and of course that influenced me. For many of the products – even Bavarian specialities – there are now fantastic plant-based alternatives that I think taste absolutely amazing. Take for instance GREENFORCE’s vegan Pflanzerl, and GREENFORCE’s vegan Leberkäse is outstanding as well.
QEUSTION: What do you eat at home? What’s a typical breakfast, lunch and dinner for Thomas Müller?
THOMAS MÜLLER: On training days, for breakfast I have a handful of walnuts, three tablespoons of olive oil, a quarter-litre of electrolytes and a protein shake with oats and flaxseed. At lunch in the FC Bayern canteen I make sure I get a good mix of vegetables, carbohydrates and protein. For that reason I tend to opt for fish, meat and pulses. And in the evening too I make sure I stick to a balanced diet. First, we like to have a mixed salad with grains or a soup. For the main I like Asian or fish dishes (Loup de Mer for instance) with vegetables.
VELIVERY: That sounds balanced. It’s great to hear that meat alternatives are a regular fixture in your diet as a professional athlete. And with that, it goes without saying that we wish you a successful season on the pitch!
An apPEAling concept
So the amiable sports star from Bavaria cuts just as good a figure on the football pitch as he does in the field just outside of Munich where the peas for Greenforce’s meat alternatives are grown. For instance, one pack of Cevapcici alternative contains 370 peas! You can find out more about the potency of the mighty little green legume here by the way. Just like other meat alternatives, the Munich-based start-up’s products impress with a whole host of advantages for the environment over animal fattening, from resource conservation right through to sustainable nutrition for future generations. After all, fairness isn’t just essential in sport, it’s also key when it comes to our daily consumer decisions.
Thomas Müller’s favourite vegan Greenforce recipes
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