Going green after gray - older vegetarians - includes a bibliography and a related article on dinner substitutions

Vegetarian Times, Feb, 1997 by Lisa Bertagnoli

Others find the feeling of well-being so energizing they turn vegetarianism into a second career of sorts. Heidrich, for instance, helped start the Vegetarian Society of Honolulu in 1990 and has written several cookbooks. Another older vegetarian who has devoted his life to meatless living is Howard Lyman, 59, a former cattle rancher who now works with the Humane Society of the United States. Lyman says he turned vegetarian in 1990 after deliberating for 11 years. "I'm slow to catch on," he jokes, adding that vegetarianism cured him of obesity and stabilized his sky-high blood pressure.

ANOTHER ADVENTURE

WITH COUSCOUS

When a teenager comes home and announces she is giving up meat, friends and family can easily pass off the switch as a fad. However, what happens when the convert qualifies for social security? "For 16-year-olds, being vegetarian is a badge of honor," Lyman says. "But for older people to admit they've changed after a lifetime of a certain behavior, it's embarrassing, especially when you're a guest at someone's house." The problem is compounded for vegans, who have to explain why they don't eat eggs or dairy products.

Lots of reactions, however, depend on the individual's philosophy. For her part, Roberts credits a gentle, non-confrontational approach to vegetarianism that occasionally amuses her family. The humor really surfaces when Roberts tries new recipes. Once, she made a chocolate couscous cake that turned out less than edible. Now, when she springs a new dish on the family, her daughter asks, "Is this another adventure with couscous?" Entertaining at home isn't difficult because she continues to cook meat, she admits.

In contrast, Heidrich became very vocal about her new diet and thinks her feistiness might have something to do with the jarring effect it had on her family and friends. To start, her 20-year marriage broke up. "I really believe our marriage would have lasted, but I made a 180-degree change in my lifestyle," she says. "Where my husband and I once had a lot in common, we were soon completely polarized." Though her story is atypical of older vegetarian's, Heidrich doesn't regret preaching the gospel of vegetarianism to anyone who would listen. Now, she says, her circle of friends is composed of runners and other health enthusiasts who respect her diet.

Because vegetarianism threatened their livelihood, Lyman's cattle rancher friends were initially hostile to his new diet and him. But as the years have gone by and illness has taken its toll on Lyman's friends, they've gradually come around; of 10 card-playing buddies Lyman had in his ranching days, four are dead of diet-related illnesses. "People see me now and say, `My God, you look good,'" he says. "They have to admit it's working."

MAKING IT WORK

Except for Lyman and Heidrich, who are vegans, the older people interviewed for this story admit to an occasional piece of fish or chicken. They cite the difficulty of finding vegetarian items on restaurant menus, the burden of cooking meat for family and friends and the challenge of giving up old habits as reasons. However, these obstacles aren't insurmountable, say nutritionists Melina and Havala. "It's not that complicated to show somebody how to be vegetarian and in good health," Melina says. For would-be veggies who find themselves with meat cravings, a diet analysis can help show what's missing that's causing the cravings and suggest foods that will fill the gap, she adds. The people interviewed for this story all say the local library and bookstore are great resources. "Read, read, read," suggests Lyman. "Get some education so you don't become a junk-food vegetarian." Local vegetarian societies are springing up all over the country and can be a source of tremendous support and camaraderie. The best piece of advice, though, may be the simplest. "Be gentle with yourself," counsels Roberts. And get over the notion that a vegetarian diet is too radical a change for someone of advanced years, adds Adams: "Try to see it this way: It's not like getting your nose pierced."