Former President Bill Clinton Goes Vegetarian

By Ivana Kvesic , Christian Post Reporter

August 19, 2011|1:42 pm

In a surprising lifestyle transformation, the former 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, is making news for his journey into vegetarianism.

The former President suffers from heart disease and decided to change his eating habits in order to change his life.

Clinton has undergone two heart procedures since completing his post in the oval office in 2000.

The former leader and Yale graduate, who was known throughout his presidency for his love of food, particularly unhealthy food, comes from a family with a history of heart disease and underwent a quadruple bypass surgery in 2004.

He reworked his diet, but just last year following a trip to Haiti, the former President was forced to undergo another heart procedure and realized that major changes needed to be made if he was going to overcome his heart disease and save his life.

Since last year he has dropped 20 pounds and is making headline news for his lifestyle change following a CNN interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

The interview will take part in a segment airing on CNN on Sunday evening in which Gupta explores how to made cardiac problems a “thing of the past.”

A tidbit from a preview of the report shows Gupta asking Clinton, “Do you call yourself vegan now then?” Clinton responds, “Well I suppose I am if I don’t eat dairy, or meat, or fish.”

Clinton's new diet excludes eating things such as eggs, dairy, all meat, and most oils.

So what does the former President eat?

Foods like fruit, vegetables, and beans now give the former President the energy to work on changing the world as we know it through the major projects he has dedicated his life to; including The Clinton Foundation, The Clinton Global Initiative, and The Clinton Climate Initiative.

One such program within his several initiatives is close to Clinton’s heart, literally. The former president is working with the American Heart Association to promote healthy eating and exercise habits among school children across the country so that they may avoid in the future the same fate that almost claimed Clinton’s life.