Aaliyah Edwards isn’t just a WNBA star — she’s also a vegetarian. This might surprise you considering she is a professional athlete, but Edwards has been vegetarian since she was seven years old. At the start of this year, teamed up with Nasoya, the nation’s number one tofu brand, to help promote more plant-based diets.
With Nasoya’s Power of 9 Campaign, Edwards is aiming to educate and inspire women about the power of tofu and plant-based meals — with the emphasis on the nine essential amino acids that make up any complete protein, including tofu.
The Power of 9 Campaign launched at the beginning of this year with a goal is to serve as a resource for all things tofu, providing women with the tools they need to make informed choices about how they’re fueling their bodies.
Edwards shared that partnering with Nasoya was an easy decision since she’s been vegetarian for so long. “Over time, I’ve learned more about nutrition and how to properly fuel my body with plant-based proteins like tofu,” Edwards told Spoon University in a recent interview. “It’s something that works really well for me.”
Nasoya’s website offers recipes for: meal, breakfast, lunch, dinner and sack — and those can range anywhere from Teriyaki to Plant-Based Chick’n Kung Pao Flavor.
“Right now, I’m obsessed with Nasoya’s Crispy Soy Garlic Tofu,” Edwards shared. “It’s easy to make, packed with protein, and tastes amazing. The key to getting it extra crispy is tossing the tofu in cornstarch before cooking. I also love Sweet & Sour tofu — it’s one of my go-to meals.”
Edwards played college basketball at UConn before being selected sixth overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2024 draft. Since the WNBA runs from May until October, Edwards added that she’s in offseason training right now and typically likes to keep her meals simple but balanced.
“Breakfast is usually an egg sandwich or a smoothie packed with protein,” Edwards shared. “For lunch, I love a grain bowl with rice, roasted veggies, and crispy tofu. Dinner is usually something quick like stir-fry or pasta with a protein source like tofu or tempeh.”
When you hear of a plant-based diet, especially as an athlete, it can seem intimidating; but, Edwards said that’s not the case at all. “A lot of people assume it’s difficult, but for me, it’s just a way of life. That’s how I roll.”
Edwards shared that the biggest misconception of plant-based diets is that it’s hard to get enough protein. But she said there are plenty of great plant-based protein options available.
“Start small! You don’t have to go all-in right away,” she continued. “Try incorporating a few plant-based meals into your week and see how you feel. There are so many great plant-based protein options, so experiment and find what works for you. Also, don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen — cooking plant-based meals can actually be a lot of fun.”
Edwards’ goal is that more people, as well as professional athletes, choose plant-based eating. She hopes that if more people choose this way of eating, that less and less misinformation will be out there and plant-based diets will become mainstream.
“The Power of 9 campaign is all about showing that plant-based athletes can perform at the highest level and thrive,” she said. “But it’s not just for athletes, I hope it inspires more people, especially women, to see the benefits of plant-based protein and give it a try.”