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Financial planner Helen Nan is finding many clients want to stay in the workforce, either working part-time or taking up a new business venture. It keeps them involved with their communities while enhancing their mental and physical heath.
Why senior citizens might seriously consider going vegetarian
The best way to make the most of retirement is to stay healthy, and diet is a critical part of this. It is increasingly possible to maximise your nutritional health by adopting a vegetarian lifestyle, and a growing number of senior citizens are doing so.
In the US, it’s estimated that the number of seniors who are vegetarian is approaching five per cent, and that figure is likely to be much the same in Australia. After all, this is a generation that grew up on ‘meat and three veg’ – and often overboiled ‘three veg’. But the number of vegetarians is growing as more seniors appreciate it’s a big opportunity to gain some immediate health and well-being wins.
Lower risk of heart disease and stroke: By reducing blood pressure, cholesterol levels and inflammation, key risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, vegetarians exhibit a 32 per cent less likelihood of dying due to heart disease compared with carnivores. These are all risks that can lower the ability to exercise, too, so vegetarians are more likely to be able to make the most of their retirement.
Better weight management: A vegetarian diet supports healthy weight management by promoting a lower body mass index, thereby helping to prevent obesity and diabetes. It’s not impossible to gain weight as a vegetarian – they need to be particularly aware of salts and sugars that get added to flavour food, particularly in restaurants – but keeping natural control over your weight is much easier.
Improved digestive health: Senior citizens often face digestive challenges, but a vegetarian diet can help address these issues. The increased intake of fibre and antioxidants in plant-based foods can prevent constipation, diverticular disease and colon cancer. Furthermore, fibre regulates blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Enhanced cognitive function: It’s not just about physical health, either. Cognitive decline and dementia are common concerns for seniors. A vegetarian diet can protect the brain from age-related decline by providing essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12 and folate. Omega-3 fatty acids also contribute to preventing depression and mood disorders prevalent in the senior population.
In short, eating vegetarian promotes better longevity. By reducing oxidative stress and DNA damage associated with ageing and chronic diseases, data from the US National Institutes of Health demonstrates that vegetarians are a 12 per cent lower risk of death over a six-year period.
Although these benefits are compelling, there are some challenges in adopting a vegetarian diet – especially if you have been a meat eater all your life. They include:
Nutritional deficiencies: While a vegetarian diet is rich in many nutrients, seniors need to be mindful of potential deficiencies in protein, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin D and vitamin B12. To address these concerns, seniors should consume a variety of plant-based foods such as beans, nuts, seeds, tofu and fortified cereals. If necessary, supplements can be considered after consulting with a healthcare professional.
Social Isolation: Adopting a vegetarian diet may lead to social challenges, as sharing meals with non-vegetarian family and friends can become difficult. Seniors can overcome social isolation by communicating their dietary preferences to loved ones and actively seeking out vegetarian-friendly restaurants and social groups with similar tastes in their community.
Medical conditions and medications: Certain medical conditions and medications can interact with a vegetarian diet. Seniors should exercise caution, particularly in cases of kidney disease, gout and blood thinners. Before you make such a big dietary change, you should consult with your doctor to examine the implications and challenges.
These days, the range of vegetarian dining options and meals has become incredible, and even if you were a meat-eater beforehand, it’s much easier to find a dietary mix that you love. And, finally, consider this. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, one of the biggest costs is meat. How much would your weekly budget benefit if you were able to cut that item out?
