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Another Vegetarian Champion
Dorina Vaccaroni many times fencing champion, and today a cyclist, has been a vegetarian since she was 6 or 7 years old. She will participate in the Granfondo Italia 2005.
Dorina was born in September 1963. She won her first medal for fencing in the Mosco Olympics 1980. There followed another, bronze in 1984, Silver in 1988, and gold in team in 1992. She won 3 World Cups 1981, 1983,1984. 4 world titles in team, individual world title 1983, and European title 1982.
Here is an interview with her explaining how she reconciles her choices of diet with the requirements of an effective sports preparation.
How did you become a vegetarian and what type of vegetarian , only fish, only milk, cheese or vegan?
"I was born in an environment that was very close to the world of animals; When I was young I enjoyed playing with the chickens and to listen to the sound of the cows. In this way, the realization that eating an animal was like eating a cadaver, was born within me.
I eat mainly vegetables of all types, bread, very little amount of cheese, no eggs nor fish".
Do you think that a diet high in protein, serves to increase the muscle mass and therefore to reach greater sport objectives? What is your experience in this regard?
"I believe that protein based food would not do much good, on the other hand I believe that it is not necessary for an athlete to eat meat in order to develop muscles. I have participated in 4 Olympics and won quite a few world championships in this way. Surely I am not super muscled but I have a lot of strength, and above all I never get tired. My day starts with 3 or 4 hours of cycling every morning, then I go to the gym where I teach for 3 hours, aerobics, fencing and spinning. In the evening I always eat my way and with only a camomile before sleeping- I never feel tired.
What do your coaches think of your diet?
"My coaches have never agreed with my diet, but then on seeing my results, they become silent and respect my choices".
How has your diet changed now that you have switched from fencing to long distance cycling ? Do you feel the need for more energy?
"My diet has not changed, I always eat the same way, the only difference is that while I go on my bike I eat some panini with marmalade and drink mineral salts"
Being vegetarian is also a question of available time, cooking a steak is certainly a quicker way, while cooking legumes and other veggies requires more time.
"Cooking meat is terrible for me, its smell alone annoys me, its like cooking a part of my arm. I prefer to spend a little more time but then eat the things that make me feel good. I do not smoke and the time I save in smoking I dedicate it to my salads"
Putting together, the travelling, the restaurants, the dinners, the ready-made and standardized food, has this created any problems for you?
"When I travel I have not had any problems, after all some salad and some bread I have always found all over the world"
How is your blood test? Do you suffer from any particular deficiency? Do you take supplements?
"My blood tests analysis are perfect, they are those similar to a young child because there are very few toxins in my blood….supplements I consider them powders for amateurs".
Translated and adapted from Italian as published in the website of the Societá Vegetariana Italiana and originally published in the on http://www.emailianet.it on 10/10/05
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