Once you reach a certain age, you can be forgiven for being stuck in your ways. Change can feel like hard work, and you may want to avoid the hassle of starting something new. Sometimes, it’s worth making a change to rejuvenate yourself and add some excitement to your life.
Changing your diet could be just the boost you need.
A 2018 Gallup poll found that 3 percent of people over 65 eat a vegan diet, which dropped to 1 percent when the survey was repeated in 2023. Clearly, older generations are underrepresented in the vegan community, and that’s something we need to change.
A vegan diet could improve your health, reduce your reliance on medication, and help you meet like-minded people in your local community. You’ll also develop a deeper understanding of nutrition and learn to cook some delicious new recipes.
Key Takeaways
5 Benefits of a Vegan Diet in Later Life
The first best time to change was before, and the second best is right now. Your body will benefit from a plant-based diet, no matter how old you are when you take the plunge.
There are numerous benefits to adopting a vegan diet in the second half of your life, including:
1. Health Benefits
It’s never too late to make changes for your health. The health benefits of a vegan diet are plentiful, no matter how late you come to it. Health benefits include reduced risk of cancer and diabetes, better heart health, lower cholesterol, and lower blood sugar.
A 2021 study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that older vegans were on significantly fewer medications than their non-vegan peers.
2. Nutrition-dense foods
Nutritional deficiencies are a common problem in the later years of life. A healthy plant-based diet is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it the perfect way to hit your nutritional targets. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is the best way to ensure you are getting enough nutrients from your food.
3. Environmental Benefits
Perhaps in your older years, you are starting to question the future of the planet. It’s indisputable that our lifestyles are impacting the planet to catastrophic effect.
A study published in Nature found that a vegan diet reduced greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use, and loss of biodiversity. Transitioning to a vegan diet will reduce your carbon footprint and allow you to take pride in your eco-lifestyle choices.
4. No More Animal Cruelty
It’s never too late to make a compassionate change that reduces suffering in the world. If you are concerned about how animals are treated on the way to your dinner plate, take them off the menu.
You don’t need to consume animal products, so stop. Five years of veganism is better than no years of veganism.
5. Community Spirit
One thing you’ll notice about the vegan community is that we’re very welcoming to newcomers. You can never have too many guests at a vegan party—the more, the merrier.
The vegan community is a tight-knit, supportive, and friendly place, and it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Transitioning to Vegan in Later Life
It may seem daunting to go vegan after a lifetime of eating animals, but you needn’t be afraid of taking the first steps towards a vegan lifestyle. Take it one (tentatively vegan) step at a time.
Your first task is to find a milk alternative you like.
If you don’t like the first one you try, fear not; there are so many vegan dairy alternative products available you’re bound to find one you love.
While many people have the misguided idea that veganism is about cutting things out and limiting food choices, it’s actually about replacing things and diversifying your diet.
Going vegan is the perfect opportunity to seek new foods, try new recipes, and add more nutritionally-rich foods to your diet.
It may seem daunting to go vegan after a lifetime of eating animals, but you needn’t be afraid of taking the first steps towards a vegan lifestyle.
Take it one (tentatively vegan) step at a time.
Your first task is to find a milk alternative you like. If you don’t like the first one you try, fear not; there are so many vegan dairy alternative products available you’re bound to find one you love.
While many people have the misguided idea that veganism is about cutting things out and limiting food choices, it’s actually about replacing things and diversifying your diet. Going vegan is the perfect opportunity to seek new foods, try new recipes, and add more nutritionally-rich foods to your diet.
Meet Your Nutritional Needs
One of the benefits of switching to a vegan diet is that you suddenly become an expert in health and nutrition. Whereas you may have spent years eating meat and two veg, all of a sudden you need to diversify your plate and ensure a mix of plant foods.
4 Tips to Diversify Your Plate:
Make New Friends
Reach out to your local vegan community for help. There are usually in-person meet-ups and online support groups to encourage support and friendship within the vegan community.
Search online to find local vegans, and don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations for local places to grab a meal. Find a local vegan walking group to stay active, socialize with like-minded people, and (hopefully) share some food after a walk.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In the second half of your life, your health becomes more important than ever. You perhaps didn’t pay much attention to the food you ate during your younger years.
As you age, your organs, muscles, and bones rely heavily on the nutrients from your diet. Your body needs the right nutrients as you age to ensure optimum health. While you may have eaten meat all your life, that doesn’t mean you must keep eating the same diet.
Switching to a healthy vegan diet will be better for your body, and you’ll likely notice some positive changes to your health when you go vegan.
Changing your lifelong diet may seem daunting, but remember, there are plenty of vegans you can ask for support during the early days. It can take time to unpick a lifetime of eating habits, so don’t panic if you initially feel overwhelmed.
If you went vegan later in life, please comment with your experiences and advice for others considering going vegan.
