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Many studies have shown the healing benefits of a vegan diet for cancer patients and those who want to protect themselves from developing the disease. In The British Journal of Cancer (July 7, 2009), the incidences of several forms of cancer were less prevalent in vegans and vegetarians than in meat eaters.

Be aware of the dangers of grilled meats and pass them on to your meat-eating friends and loved ones. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine tested Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Kentucky Grilled Chicken products and found “substantial amounts of carcinogenic chemical[s] in all samples tested.” Time to start making vegan tempeh “chicken” salad, Grandma!

One of the main reasons plant-based diets work to heal and rid the body of cancer is the high amount of phytochemicals found in edible plant foods. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring biochemicals found in plants that are used as protection from disease, oxidation, and insects. These same protective biochemicals are cancer-suppressing in the human body. Thousands of phytochemicals are found in fruits, vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, legumes, and grains. These nutritional gems must be eaten in fresh, whole foods, not just extracted into supplements. Working in concert, the myriad combinations of phytochemicals found in natural vegan foods are truly healing and protect the human body from diseases that affect so many seniors.

Planning for Success with Easy Food Choices

Making major dietary changes may seem overwhelming to older citizens who are set in their ways. However eating well as you age can be easy if you keep in mind the following parameters:

Choose a variety of nutrient-dense foods every day. These foods are high in nutrition but low in calories — foods such as whole grains, beans, and organic fruits and vegetables.

Avoid all processed sugars, including white granulated cane and beet sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners. Instead use agave syrup, brown rice syrup, or blackstrap molasses.

Choose whole-grain products. Whole-grain products, like whole-wheat bread, are made with all the edible parts of the seed. The bran, germ, and endosperm are present to contribute fiber, complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and healthy fats.

Include a variety of proteins every day. Various kinds of beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and soy foods combine over the course of the day to give you all the amino acids you need for complete protein.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Seniors often find that their appetites decrease with age. Eating smaller meals more often throughout the day can help ensure proper nutrient consumption without causing discomfort.

If chewing or swallowing has become difficult or uncomfortable, make nutrient-dense smoothies with fresh, organic ingredients. Hemp protein, rice milk, nuts, avocado, organic berries, and even chopped raw greens can all be blended into tasty, easy-to-digest meals.

Eating healthily on a fixed income

Buying healthy food can seem more expensive if you walk down the organic produce section of a health food store. Don’t be discouraged. There are many ways to save money and still eat better-quality ingredients.

Buying grains, herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, and beans in bulk greatly reduces the cost of organic ingredients. Many health food stores have bulk bins where you can scoop the desired amount of ingredients into plastic or paper bags. You also can bring your own reusable plastic or glass containers if you want to stop wasting plastic or paper bags. Just be sure to weigh the empty container with the check-out person to find the tare, or weight of the empty container, before you fill it with new product.

You also can join a local co-op or food buying club. Most co-ops are run by the workers who spend a few hours a month performing predetermined duties for the store. Other co-ops offer yearly membership fees, and may offer a senior discount. The prices for groceries are much less expensive because the