Virat Kohli’s journey from being a butter-chicken-loving cricketer to becoming a strict vegetarian is well known today. However, the decision to give up non-vegetarian food wasn’t just for fitness reasons—it was driven by a painful health issue that he encountered during a match in 2018. The sudden pain he felt in his spine not only disrupted his sleep but also forced him to change a habit he had followed for years.
Kohli’s Struggle With Pain That Changed His Diet Forever
In 2018, during a Test match in South Africa, Virat Kohli experienced severe pain in his spine. It turned out to be a serious issue, as the cervical disc in his spine had spread, pressing a nerve that caused excruciating pain and tingling in his right hand’s smallest finger. Kohli revealed that he couldn’t sleep properly because of the pain, which prompted him to get medical tests done.
The tests brought shocking news. Kohli’s body was producing too much uric acid, leading to a calcium deficiency. His body was extracting calcium from his bones, making them weak, and this was causing his pain. This revelation made him realize that he needed to make drastic changes to his diet, which included giving up non-vegetarian food altogether.
From Non-Veg Lover to Complete Vegetarian
Virat Kohli, who grew up in a Punjabi family in Delhi, has always shared his love for food, especially dishes like butter chicken. Even after starting his fitness journey in 2013, he still consumed non-veg food like grilled fish. However, the incident in 2018 forced him to rethink his dietary habits completely.
Kohli shared in an Instagram Live conversation with Kevin Pietersen in 2020 that he became a vegetarian just before the England tour in 2018. He stopped eating meat, believing that it would help him recover faster and improve his overall health. Kohli also described it as the best decision he ever made in his life, as it contributed significantly to his performance and recovery during intense cricket matches.
A Diet Change That Boosted Kohli’s Performance in England
The timing of Kohli’s decision to turn vegetarian couldn’t have been better. Just before the 2018 tour of England, he had completely given up meat, and this dietary shift seemed to have a positive effect on his performance. Kohli’s form in England that year was exceptional, as he scored 692 runs in just 10 innings, becoming the highest run-scorer of the series. This was a remarkable turnaround, as just four years prior, during the 2014 England tour, Kohli had struggled to make runs.
Kohli credits his vegetarian diet for his improved fitness and quicker recovery time between matches. After adopting the new lifestyle, he felt lighter, more energetic, and better equipped to handle the demands of international cricket. This change also helped him maintain consistency and keep up with the hectic schedule of modern cricket.
How Virat Kohli Maintained His Fitness After Going Vegetarian
Kohli’s switch to a vegetarian diet didn’t mean compromising on his fitness. In fact, it made him more conscious of what he ate, ensuring that his meals were packed with the necessary nutrients to keep him in top form. From plant-based protein sources to supplements, Kohli has carefully managed his nutrition to stay fit and strong on the field.
Virat’s decision to embrace a vegetarian lifestyle also reflects his dedication to maintaining peak fitness throughout his cricket career. He continues to inspire athletes and fitness enthusiasts around the world, showing that a well-balanced vegetarian diet can support high levels of athletic performance.
Today, Kohli is one of the fittest athletes in the world, and his vegetarian diet plays a key role in his success. Despite a tough phase in recent years, with 2024 not being the best year for him in terms of runs, Kohli’s commitment to fitness and health remains unwavering.
