sport news Manchester United Chris Smalling reaping rewards of new vegan diet

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Growing up in a one-parent family and living largely off a diet of frozen food, veganism was the furthest thing from Chris Smalling’s mind.

Now 29-years-old, the Manchester United defender credits it for making him stronger and fitter than ever.

Smalling is the only vegan at United after being converted by his wife Sam, but he revealed that it hasn’t stopped some of his teammates taking his food in the canteen at Carrington.

‘A couple of the options are for me and sometimes they’ll be like, “ooh, that looks nice”,’ said Smalling. ‘It might be Thai red curry or something like that. Sometimes half of it is gone.

‘In football, you’re used to everyone eating together off the buffet. I spoke with Mark (Ellison) the nutritionist and the chef (Mike Donnelly). Mike hadn’t cooked much vegan food so there's a bit of influence from my wife, in terms of her recipes. It became quite easy.

‘I wish I was more educated in food when I was younger because of the importance of it not just in sport but in life.

‘I’m the exact same weight as I was three years ago. We do a lot of testing on our hamstrings and on the bike in the gym, and I’m constantly hitting a lot of personal bests. I know I’m getting stronger and fitter.’

Smalling was speaking

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