Elite athletes reveal the vegan diet secret behind their success UFC fighter Mac Danzig became vegan in 2004. IMAGINE giving up egg and bacon rolls, steak, ice cream and a host of other dairy-filled goodies, just for a while. Now imagine never being able to eat those animal products ever again - that means no milky cappuccinos, no rich buttery French food and even certain wines and beer are off limits. Well some of the world's strongest and fittest men have given up these and a host of other animal products, and swear they've never been healthier for it. The world's fittest vegans reckon they're onto a good thing too and are asking meat eaters to spare a thought for our furry friends and swear off animal products during November as part of world Vegan Month. While the benefits of a diet low in animal fats are widely known, one which doesn't allow any animal products at all isn't for the faint-hearted. Anyone following a vegan diet will need to ensure they have a well balanced intake of vitamins and minerals, especially if you're an elite athlete. But strongman Patrick Baboumian, marathon champion Brendan Brazier and fighter Mac Danzig are just three elite athletes who enjoy a plant-based diet and swear it is the secret behind their success. But they must miss good food right? And surely they don't get enough protein in their diet? For Baboumian, giving up animal products forever was the best thing he did. On his personal website the Armenian-German strongman, who has 50cm biceps and became vegan in 2011, reckons he hasn't looked back since taking up a plant-based only diet. Known as the herbivore strongman, Baboumian said he initially gave up eating meat as that meant an animal had to lose its life, so went vegetarian in 2005 before going fully vegan. He expected a drop in performance, but was surprised by how good he felt. Baboumian says giving up animal products forever was the best thing he did. "I was amazed by the great gains in lean body-mass and strength I got with the meat-free diet," he writes on his official website. Former professional Ironman triathlete, and two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion Brendan Brazier, swears by a wholefood vegan diet, saying recovery from training is down to 80 per cent nutrition. On his YouTube channel, he talks about how his whole foods diet includes eating plenty of fruit and greens and no refined carbs but also involves getting plenty of exercise, and sleep. "Through good nutrition we can thrive in life without the need for stimulants, sugars and pharmaceuticals, and the Vegetarian, Vegan and Raw Plant Based Whole Food choices are the best," he says. The 38-year-old who invented a supplement called Vega says his mix isn't designed to replace vitamins and minerals but merely to compliment his already healthy diet. Brendan Brazier lives and breathes a plant-based diet. And even the best fighters swear by a plant-based diet. American MMA (mixed martial arts) and UFC fighter Mac Danzig became vegan in 2004 and has a high carb, low fat raw vegan diet. The 33-year-old who has 21 wins under his belt from 33 bouts has a diet rich in nuts, seeds, avocados, and coconuts and "feels amazing." The animal rights activist even says his diet has helped him improve with his professional fights. "I'm not saying it's for everyone, but it works for me," he said in an interview this year. Nutrition Australia Senior Nutritionist Aloysa Hourigan agreed there were certainly benefits in having a rich plant-based diet. But she said it was vital vegans had a well balanced diet which was full of protein and vitamin B12, which is often found in animal products such as meat and dairy. Ms Hourigan added vegans should eat plenty of seeds, nuts and wholegrains for calcium and plant-based foods rich in iron. "Not everyone who is vegan will become anaemic," she said. However plant based iron is harder to absorb so taking vitamin C can help with that. She also said it was important vegans made healthy cooking choices as well as some oils such as coconut and palm, could actually be higher in saturated fats. "Whether something is nutritious or not does depend on how it's cooked too," she said. She suggested anyone thinking of becoming vegan should consult a dietitian or nutritionist to ensure they had a healthy, balanced diet. Sydney-based nutritionist Susie Burrell agreed there were certainly advantages in having a vegan or vegetarian diet, but that it required planning to ensure people got all the benefits they needed. She said a plant-based diet could help with endurance-based sport and athletes with lower weight requirements but that footballers or heavier athletes may struggle. Ms Burrell said it was also vital anyone who had a meat-free diet didn't rely on poor food options such as hot chips or veggie stir-fry when they were always on the run. Brazier credits his healthy lifestyle for his athletic performance.