Veganism a growing trend in football – but Hector Bellerin, Sergio Aguero and Jermain Defoe could be missing out on vital nutrition

"Some of the perceived health benefits of being vegan have been a bit misinterpreted or are maybe a bit overrated because it's so on trend."

Dr Schenker worked as a dietitian for Norwich City and has also consulted for Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur - she has authored a number of books on dieting and nutrition.

True veganism is a way of life rather than just a diet, where the individual takes into account the ethical and cultural impact of the animal industry on the planet.

Documentaries such as What The Health, Cowspiracy and Carnage have sparked other people into following the lifestyle, while it has become very popular among the Hollywood A-list.

Defoe admitted documentaries, as well as a desire to prolong his career, sparked his decision to turn vegan - he's even created his own short film with meat-free food brand Quorn.

Defoe said: "I started [cutting out meat] and I realised I felt different in terms of energy.

"I wasn't getting any muscle injuries, and I was noticing a difference in my skin.

"This is me sending a message out to the younger players to say, if you can do what I am doing, and think about what you are eating, then they could play into their late 30s and early 40s."

Defoe has admitted he is a 'cheagan', eating fish a couple of times a week.

Speaking strictly from a scientific - rather than ethical or moral - standpoint, Dr Schenker believes that following a vegan or plant-based diet could leave athletes missing out on certain key nutrients.

"I'm not anti-vegan at all," she implores, "I'd never judge anybody's ethics or personal choice.

"A lot of the negative things [about eating meat] are related to the farming methods rather than the actual nutrition of the food itself.

"But if you can disassociate the two and look dispassionately, you'd see there are health benefits [to eating meat]."

Dr Schenker adds: "There are limited sources of protein in a vegan diet.

"We talk about high and low quality protein. Most vegetable sources are low quality protein.

"The body needs essential amino acids, you have to get them from your diet.

"What you find is that animal sources of protein contain large amounts. Vegan sources contain some of these sources, but not all of them.

"The only vegan source that is comparable to getting animal protein is soy. That's fine, but soy isn't for everyone and you can be limited with what you do with it - and there's only so much tofu you can eat.

"With professional advice you can make it work but it takes a lot of thought and effort.

"Good nutrition is always best from a balanced diet."

Dr Schenker says that Iron and Vitamin B12 are two crucial nutrients that are most difficult to get in a vegan diet.

However, Heather Russell, a dietitian at The Vegan Society, told SunSport that it's possible for vegan athletes to get every nutrient they would need.

She said: "The Vegan Society works with the British Dietetic Association to share the message that well-planned vegan diets can support healthy living in people of all ages.

"Athletic individuals need high quality fuel, and it’s possible for them to thrive without eating animal products.

"It’s also particularly important for athletic people to ensure that their daily diet contains plenty of iron-rich foods and really rich sources of calcium.

"Good sources of plant protein tend to be iron-rich, but kale, raisins and fortified breakfast cereal also provide iron."

Russell adds: "You can boost iron absorption by adding a source of vitamin C, such as pepper, broccoli, cabbage, kiwifruit, citrus fruits or pineapple.

"You can easily hit your daily calcium target by consuming great plant-based sources. "

The Vegan Society also sells their own supplements designed to boost the nutrients and vitamins that are typically lacking in the vegan diet.

Vegan athletes have also stated that their mood and attitude is much improved, leading to better performance on the pitch.

Dr Schenker believes the feel-good factor of following the vegan diet could be having a placebo-like effect on the players.

"I think that often stems from them feeling better about themselves," she adds.

"They are thinking about their diet, they've cut a lot of things out, it's taking willpower and there's a feel-good factor that has a knock-on effect in terms of mood and attitude to training and motivation.

"There's nothing magic in the diet that can aid injury or recovery.

"It's coming more from mindful eating.

"Mindful eating probably leads to a better intake of nutrients, that can help, but there's nothing about veganism in particular.

"It's just that you're taking care of yourself."

• Dr Sarah Schenker has a book out: , available on Amazon
• For more information and vegan recipes, visit website