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Newark Town FC footballers are seven days into a 21 day vegan challenge, which was inspired by Game Changers




Players trying out a 21 day vegan challenge say they are already tasting the benefits of a new plant-based diet.

Five Newark Town footballers and joint-manager Luke Parsons are seven days into their vegan challenge.

Luke’s managerial partner, Damo Parkinson, became vegan in July, and suggested the challenge to his players after watching the documentary Game Changers.

PLAYERS and staff at Newark Town FC are taking part in a 21-day Vegan Challenge. From left to right, Nathan Burrows, Matt Stevens, Luke Parsons, Damo Parkinson and Lewis Chambers.
PLAYERS and staff at Newark Town FC are taking part in a 21-day Vegan Challenge. From left to right, Nathan Burrows, Matt Stevens, Luke Parsons, Damo Parkinson and Lewis Chambers.

Once family-run vegan food business, Veg Out Lincoln, heard news of the challenge, they got on board and offered to provide the evening meals for the players.

“The first meal was on Thursday night,” said Luke.

“We watched Game Changers and had a cottage pie and, to be fair, I am actually enjoyed it.

“I didn’t realise how many things I was still allowed to have.

“Things like Bisto Gravy and Oreo biscuits are fine, and other foods that you thought might have been completely ruled out, there are alternatives for them.”

Luke said his diet was very repetitive before the challenge and that it had made him consider taking the variety of his foods more seriously.

“My diet was much the same and I ate the same things every week” he said.

“I don’t like mushroom, but I had a mushroom, lentil and sweet potato curry on Saturday night.

“Now, if you said to me two weeks ago that or a chicken tikka masala, I would have had that (chicken tikka) every time, but I’m trying new things and, you know what, the food actually tastes really good.

“At the end of the 21 days, If I don’t continue as a vegan it will have changed the way I eat.”

On Saturday, Newark Town played its first football match since starting the challenge and convincingly won 7-0.

“Before the game I felt quite tired, but during the game I actually felt a lot fitter, as clichéd as that might be,” Luke said.

“I did feel more alert and switched on.”



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