You may be familiar with German-American actor Zazie Beetz from her role as Van (Vanessa Keefer) in FX’s critically acclaimed and award-winning show Atlanta — but you can now see Beetz on the big screen as she takes on the role of the lucky, mutant mercenary Domino in Deadpool 2 (in theaters May 18).
Being that the first Deadpool movie was no stranger to action-packed scenes, the cast of Deadpool 2 (which also stars Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, and Terry Crews) made sure to get in tip-top, superhero shape for the sequel. Although Zazie Beetz certainly spent her fair share of quality time in the gym preparing for her upcoming role, she may have had a leg up on her cast mates as her vegan diet actually helped her to transform into the role of “ass-kicking” mutant Domino.
Spending quality time in the gym…
In order to prepare for her physically intense action role in Deadpool 2, Zazie Beetz began working one-on-one with celebrity trainer Don Saladino. In an interview with PopSugar, Saladino discussed her workout regimen and diet saying that although she didn’t exercise much prior to beginning training, she was already in great physical shape. (Bravo to good genes and a meat- and dairy-free diet!) Since Beetz was already fairly athletic and with a lean build, Saladino says he stayed away from high-cardio workouts and focused her workout routines around strength-training and explosive exercises like jumping, carrying weights, and medicine ball throws.
Eating her fruits and veggies…
Thankfully, you don’t need meat in order to gain muscle. Celebrity trainer Don Saladino understood her diet didn’t need a major overhaul due to her adherence to a vegan lifestyle and, since there wasn’t anything he had to change about the foods Beetz ate, he encouraged her to “continue making good food choices and eating quality foods” that were high in protein. Such foods include edamame, beans, lentils, tempeh…the options are endless! For those looking for protein-packed meal options to help you get in superhero shape like Zazie Beetz, here’s a quick list of some high-protein veggies *plus* a few tasty recipe ideas to help you incorporate them into your diet:
- Lentils: 18 grams of protein per 1 cup
Try these Easy Vegan Lentil Meatballs!
- Edamame: 18 grams of protein per 1 cup
- Black beans: 15.2 grams of protein per 1 cup
For a healthy, high-protein dinner, try a Black Bean and Edamame Rice Bowl! It also includes kale, cashews (5 grams of protein per 1 ounce), and brown rice (5 grams of protein per 1 cup)!
- Corn: 5 grams of protein per 1 cup
- Kale: 2.5 grams of protein per 1 cup
For a protein-packed meal, try this Quinoa and Kale Salad with Pomegranate! It’s loaded with corn, kale, quinoa (2 grams of protein per 1/4 cup), flax seeds (7.75 grams of protein per 1/4 cup), and almonds (5 grams of protein per 1/4 cup)!
- Chickpeas: 39 grams of protein per 1 cup
These hearty Vegan BBQ Balsamic Chickpeas and Potatoes are delicious and chock-full of protein! Along with chickpeas, the recipe includes potatoes (7 grams of protein per 1 large potato) and zucchini (1.4 grams of protein per 1 cup).
What are your favorite high-protein vegan meals?
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Photos: Zazie Beetz via Instagram, Don Saladino via Instagram, Molly Landsdowne, Mary Hood Luttrell, Jessie Brown
