As the human body ages, we need to make several changes in our diet, training, and other aspects of our lifestyle to adapt to the changes. While this can be overwhelming at first, listening to the body should be the first priority. Even seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is known as the beacon of fitness and bodybuilding, had to give up in front of time. Despite being 76, Schwarzenegger maintains an active lifestyle and trains daily. However, with time, he had to make a crucial change in his diet.

 A bodybuilder’s diet typically consists of a lot of meat and eggs. However, this can lead to high cholesterol and blood pressure-related problems. In a recent podcast, The Rich Roll Podcast, Schwarzenegger revealed that he has cut down his meat consumption by up to 70 percent. However, there is still a special occasion on which he does not hesitate to consume some steak.

Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals the changes in his diet over the years 

To ensure proper recovery and muscle hypertrophy, athletes and bodybuilders often rely on meat and eggs as the primary source of protein. However, they are also responsible for increasing the chances of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. While Schwarzenegger has already faced his share of heart troubles, doctors suggested he cut down on his meat consumption to ensure a healthy lifestyle. Arnold Schwarzenegger once wrote in his newsletter Arnold’s Pump Club, “I’m not fully vegan. I just eat about 80 percent less meat than I used to. For protein, my staples are eggs, salmon, and chicken”. His diet consists more of Vegan food now, while he also consumes a lot more veggies than before.

However, ‘The Austrian Oak’ admits that on some occasions, he does consume a few pieces of steak. He admitted, “My diet is pretty much… I would say around 70 percent, I cut down my meat intake. And the other 30 percent is on it because of, every so often, I, once a month maybe, I make a steak at home when we watch the UFC fight. It somehow fits together, with all the mid-up to the screen.” But what is the reason behind this? Let’s take a look.

The Austrian Oak opens up about the reason behind the diet change

Schwarzenegger confessed that it was the need of his aging body that reduced his consumption of meat. He revealed, “I’m at an age where I should just cut back because my cholesterol level should come down a little bit, and blood pressure and all of that.”

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Adding to this, he also stated that multiple UFC fighters are vegetable-based. Talking further, Arnold disclosed that it was Jim (James Cameron) who motivated him to reduce his meat consumption. ‘Arnie’ stated that Jim made him realize that 25–28 percent of pollution comes from livestock.

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All these factors combined finally led Schwarzenegger to decide to switch to a vegetable-based diet. What are your views on this? Let us know in the comments.