Hayom shiva u'sheloshim yom, shehaym chamisha shavuot ushnay yamim baomer

A vegetarian diet is so healthy that it's the chosen diet of quite a few health-conscious athletes. Vegetarian athletes include the NBA's Salim Stoudamire and Raja Bell, the NFL's Ricky Williams, tennis player Chris Evert, and boxing champ Keith Holmes. Says nine-time Olympic gold medalist for track and field Carl Lewis, "[M]y best year of track competition was the first year I ate a vegan diet. Moreover, by continuing to eat a vegan diet, my weight is under control, I like the way I look." Notes Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine president Neal Barnard:

For those who wonder whether vegetarian diets are rich enough in protein, it is worth remembering that some of the most powerful animals—bulls, gorillas, elephants, and stallions—are vegan, too. . . . A healthy vegan diet will give you the strength and stamina to leave those sluggish meat-eaters in the dust.