Vegetarianism & Vegetarian Cooking

Vegetarianism and the Elderly

The elderly population is turning to vegetarianism in greater numbers in recent years. For people who have been omnivores for most of their lives it is important for them to change their diet gradually so not to shock their body. For the elderly it is important for them to see a physician before they make any drastic dietary changes to ensure that they are healthy enough to take on something new. As people grow older, dairy products are less tolerated and meat becomes harder for the elderly to digest. This is one reason why you are never too old to switch to a vegetarian diet. Vegetables, legumes, and fruit are easier to digest for the elderly and if like some of the elderly population who have trouble chewing and swallowing these foods are easily pureed.

Health Benefits for the Elderly

The elderly can suffer from all types of maladies ranging from hypertension, cardiac disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. By making the switch to a vegetarian diet the risks of these ailments can be lessened somewhat. While it will not reverse years of damage caused by eating a diet high in fat it will help to lower their cholesterol and if they suffer from diabetes it can help bring their blood glucose levels into a more acceptable range. Like with most vegetarians, the elderly should probably take a vitamin B12 supplement to ensure they are receiving the recommended daily dosage.

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