As our bodies age, it becomes essential that we prioritize healthy living habits over the not-so-heathy habits that influenced our younger years. Healthy living is synonymous with a healthy, well-balanced diet for many Americans.
There are many fad diets out there – many Facebook trends and success stories to help inspire our own healthy living journies, and one time-tested and popular diet option is veganism. Many readers might not be familiar with what a vegan diet actually is and how it can help people achieve a healthier lifestyle.
This post will break down and define the vegan diet and examine its health benefits and risks if not practiced correctly. It will also discuss going vegan over 50, but first, let’s look at a vegan diet and a vegetarian diet.
What makes a vegan diet different from a vegetarian diet?
A vegetarian diet is a plant-based diet that allows certain animal products to be incorporated. Products like eggs, cheese, honey, and milk are allowed in vegetarian diets. On the other hand, vegan diets do not allow any animal products – so no dairy and cheese.
Is a vegan diet healthier than a vegetarian diet?
Everybody’s personal dietary needs will differ. For some, eating eggs and dairy for their daily protein requirements, while others might have a food sensitivity to eggs or lactose intolerance. The short answer is it depends on a person’s specific dietary restrictions.
Do vegetarians and vegans live healthier lives?
Believe it or not, there are unhealthy vegans and vegetarians. Just because a person doesn’t eat meat or animal products doesn’t mean they eat a well-balanced diet that is free of excess sugars and unhealthy fats. Oreos are vegan, after all.
Though, when approached with care and a desire to eat lean and clean, vegan diets prove to be one of the healthier diets out there.
The Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
There are many ethical and environmental reasons to reduce meat consumption, and this post will touch on them later on. However, many people make the switch because of the proven health benefits.
There is tons of evidence that a plant-based diet can help boost the immune system, lower the risks of heart disease and strokes, lower bad cholesterol, and help maintain healthy body weight.
Plant-based diets can lead to a healthier lifestyle and an overall improved sense of well-being when planned correctly.
Is veganism safe for older adults? – Going Vegan Over 50
Though veganism is not without its risks. Because it is a restrictive diet, practitioners are at risk of developing vitamin and mineral deficiencies. That is why it is imperative to seek nutritional advice from a professional who can guarantee that your diet is working to keep you fit and healthy. Regardless of age, these same risks occur so it’s fair to say that going vegan over 50 has the same health-related aspects as any age. It’s dependent on the individual needs and requirements.
Deficiencies to Look Out For
Removing animal products can leave people short on key vitamins and minerals. Those who choose a vegan diet should make sure they are getting enough of the following:
– Calcium is vital for maintaining bone, nerve, and blood health.
– Protein is essential for repairing skin, muscles, and other tissues in the body.
– Vitamin B12, which is only naturally sourced from animals, is vital for cell growth, DNA repair, and nerve health.
Eating calcium-rich foods is the best way to prevent a calcium deficiency. Almonds, figs, oranges, and dark leafy greens like spinach or kale can help a vegan or vegetarian person reach their recommended intake.
Readers might think that getting enough protein is difficult while on a vegan or vegetarian diet. But, by making the right choices, practitioners can easily achieve the recommended amounts. Eat plenty of legumes, nuts, chia seeds, and spirulina ( also known as green or blue algae). There are also vegan protein powders to try which can be added to shakes and smoothies.
Though vitamin B12 doesn’t occur naturally in plants, shoppers can find plenty of vitamin B12-enriched foods in grocery stores. However, vegans may consider a vitamin supplement to obtain the appropriate amount of vitamin B12.
Why choose Veganism?
Vegan diets, when planned with the help of a nutritionist, can help anyone looking to get healthy, improve joint and muscle function, reduce cholesterol and maintain healthy body weight. In addition to the health benefits, some people choose to go vegan because it is better for the environment.
Meat production contributes handily to the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. In fact, meat production accounts for just over double the amount of CO2 than plant-based food production. This fact, along with the proven health benefits, is convincing many Americans to remove or reduce the amount of meat they incorporate into their diets.
About the Author
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey. She writes on behalf of several continuing care retirement communities in New Jersey.
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