Bodybuilding on Seitan Steaks

Ever heard of a vegan bodybuilder? Neither had we. But he exists. And his name is Patrik Baboumian. Patrik is appearing during the second edition of Veggieworld, one of Europe’s biggest trade fairs for vegan lifestyle. And it’s not just for vegetable freaks with a muscular build.

The story of the 9 to 10 billion mouths to feed in 2050, and the environmental impact of meat consumption, may be familiar to everyone who doesn’t live under a rock. Or in the White House for the past few weeks.

Protein-addicted
But then what? How can protein addicts curb their excessive meat consumption, as the Netherlands promised by signing the Covenant on Plant-Based Proteins during the food summit in The Hague? Because it’s easier said than done.

‘Pflanzen Fresser’ Patrik Baboumian is a vegan bodybuilder.

Or does it just look that way? Event organizer Viva Las Vega’s, behind the annual food festival of the same name, wants to demonstrate with the Veggieworld fair that eating more plants isn’t complicated, nor is it only for freaks, vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians or sissies.

Michelin Man look
Hence the Iranian-German vegan bodybuilder Patrik Baboumian. He owes his Michelin Man look exclusively to munching on plants. And as a self-proclaimed ‘Pflanzen Fresser’, he keeps the heaviest weights in the air.

Veggieworld: for vegan pep talks, cooking workshops and seitan steaks.

Alongside Patrik, the fair showcases a range of meat-free products, including German seitan steaks, Parisian vegan waffles, the range from De Vegetarische Slager and The Dutch Weed Burger.

At the originally German fair, you can also expect workshops, pep talks, cooking tips and even its own Vegan Food Summit. So don’t be a sissy and go to Veggieworld.

Veggieworld takes place on 11 and 12 March at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht.