(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Usher reportedly thinks that living a vegan lifestyle is "the healthiest way to live."

The R&B crooner has adopted a vegetarian diet for years and has now apparently decided to take his eating habits a step further.

Usher's father died of a heart attack in 2008 and the singer doesn't want to suffer the same fate by eating unhealthy foods.

Usher is so excited about veganism, eating that excludes animal products of any kind, that he wants his good friend Justin Bieber to join the vegetable bandwagon.

"Usher frequents a few vegan restaurants in New York City and not only loves the food, but feels like it's the healthiest way to live," a source told Radar Online.

"He's desperate to get Bieber on the same health kick he is and thinks with all the touring and busy schedule he has, it would keep him energised.

"Usher is really close to Bieber so he's pushing the importance of eating healthy on him and it's something he takes really serious.

"So far Bieber's not feeling it, but he looks up to Usher as his mentor, so it won't be ruled out!" (C) Cover Media