Mr Universe reveals shocking diet secret behind ripped physique

A MUSCLE champion didn’t get his physique by eating the same food as most other bodybuilders.

Barnabas du Plessis stole the title of Mr Universe at last year’s bodybuilding contest. Most people would think that he gorges on protein-rich foods like steak, chicken and eggs to get his toned 16st 8lbs figure.

But the 41-year-old muscle man is actually vegan and he eats a completely plant-based diet – but he still puts away up to 4,500 calories a day.

HENCH: Barnabas is the world's first vegan bodybuilder

Barnabas said: ”The world's strongest animals are plant-eaters: gorillas, buffaloes, elephants and me".

The stacked star used to think the only way to bulk-up was to chow down on a calorific, carnivorous diet but after he found himself suffering from health issues he decided he needed to make a change.

So Barnabas and his bodybuilding fiancé Josie Keck, 42, both switched to a vegan diet last April.

FLEX: Barnabas eats a completely vegan diet

In a new ad campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) he explained: “Since becoming a vegan my training has been amazing.

“I wake up feeling good, I’ve got more energy, my recovery is really good and I’ve got no aches and pains.

PETA added: "Going vegan is a great way to improve your health, as vegans are less prone to heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cancer and obesity than meat-eaters are.

"Best of all, I’m not contributing to the suffering of animals.”

"And each person who goes vegan prevents approximately 100 animals every year from being killed on factory farms, in slaughterhouses and on the decks of fishing boats."

What Barnabus used to eat

Breakfast: 10 egg whites, nuts and corn flakes

Mid-morning: Whey protein, cereals and a banana

Lunch: Chicken, rice, veg and seeds

Mid-afternoon: Chicken, rice and veg

Post-workout: Whey protein

Dinner: Oven chips and a 10 egg white omelette

Pudding: Quark with whey and Rice Crispies

What Barnabus eats now

Pre-workout: Coffee with coconut oil and beetroot shot

After Training: Vegan protein with super greens and raw date bar

Breakfast: Vegan protein with tapioca/ rice flakes/ quinoa and mixed seeds, cacao and stevia

Lunch: Brown basmati rice, mixed lentils and salad with nutritional yeast

Mid-afternoon: Brown basmati rice, mixed lentils and veggies with nutritional yeast

Dinner: Oats, vegan protein and Mixed seeds, cacaco and stevia