Erling Haaland, one of the breakout soccer stars of the 2026 World Cup, is serious about his health. “You can look really, really, really healthy on the outside, but clearly you can’t see underneath all of that muscle definition how those arteries are looking,” added Barnard, who also expressed concern about Haaland’s penchant for raw milk. Soccer player Chris Smalling is a vocal advocate for a plant-based diet, and Atlanta Braves baseball pitcher Spencer Strider claims eating this way has improved his health and recovery time. It makes sense: Plant-based foods are rich in essential nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. As a physician, Barnard has helped transform the health of hundreds of patients by focusing on a nutrient-dense, whole-food, plant-based diet.