Plant-Based Diets: Can They Help Us Stay Healthier As We Age?

Plant-based diets are often in the news today, but what really are they? These diets emphasize consuming foods that are primarily from plants. The diet is plentiful not only in fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, and vegetable oils. Plant-based does not mean that the diet is strictly vegetarian or vegan, but it may include smaller amounts of meat and dairy foods. The crux of the diet is that it is proportionately higher in foods from plants versus animal sources (also see K McManus, “What Is a Plant-Based Diet and Why Should You Try It?” Harvard Health, May 28, 2024, https://bit.ly/4mCAteu).