Vegetarians or meat-eaters: who ages faster?

The debate about whether a person should eat meat, and animal products in general, will probably never subside. But everyone chooses the lifestyle that is close to him. Many vegetarians believe that their diet has a positive effect on health and prolongs youth, but is it really so? To find out, we compared famous meat-eaters and vegetarians of the same age.

Vegetarian Olivia Wilde (36).

Wilde has been following a vegetarian diet since she was 12 years old, although she admits it’s not easy. She was once able to afford seafood, and during her first pregnancy, she temporarily switched to a meat-based diet. “Being a vegetarian is not always easy, but this lifestyle helps me look and feel better,” – admits the actress.

Belief in the correctness of such a diet helped her to strengthen another famous vegetarian, Alicia Silverstone. When they starred together in the movie “Like Butter” in North Carolina, it was quite difficult to get vegetarian food. But the actresses found a way out. “Alicia cooked for me every day and I felt as good as I could,” Wilde recalls.

Meat-eater Lady Gaga (34).

There’s no way the epathetic singer, who dressed up in bikinis and a dress made of raw meat, is a vegetarian. Although vegetables and fruits still make up the bulk of Lady Gaga’s diet, she consumes enough seafood, poultry and lean red meat.

The girl adheres to the diet from the famous trainer Harley Pasternak “5 factors”. She eats five times a day in small portions. Each meal contains five types of food: egg white, lean meat or fish, vegetables, healthy fats and a low-calorie drink. The singer does not forget about regular exercise – she has five workouts a week.

Gaga is no stranger to anything human, and sometimes she wants to indulge in fast food. Then the star finds a healthy alternative. For example, instead of a Big Mac she enjoys turkey burgers, instead of the usual fries – fried yams.

Vegetarian Natalie Portman (39 years old)

Proceeding from ethical principles, the actress completely excluded animal products from her diet. As the star told in an interview, she became a vegetarian at the age of nine after watching cartoons. Animals for her – not food, but the same creatures as people, capable of feeling and emotions.

Portman not only refused meat, but also does not wear clothes made of leather and fur and is an ardent defender of animal rights. In 2009, she went even further and became a vegan after reading the book Eating Animals.

“That book opened my eyes to industrialized animal agriculture. A lot of things are being hidden from us, people are being sued just for talking about this industry. American farmers have fallen victim to corporations that cram millions of animals into small pens and keep them in appalling conditions. Plus, these farms increase pollution, which leads to health problems,” says the actress.

During her first pregnancy, she temporarily went back to vegetarianism because she felt her body needed eggs and dairy products. But now both she and her two children follow a strict vegan diet and her husband is a vegetarian.

Meat-eater Zooey Deschanel (40).

Deschanel tried being vegan when she found out she was allergic to wheat, eggs, dairy and soy. “At first I thought it would be easy, I’m not allowed to eat a bunch of foods as it is, but I only lasted six months. It’s almost impossible to be vegan with a gluten intolerance,” the actress admitted.

Zoe adheres to a healthy diet, tries not to “bite” and eat on schedule. Her diet is full of vegetables and various grains, but also has meat, poultry and fish. “We are told there are healthier foods in the world, but it’s still not easy to give up meat. Whether we want to eat less meat or not, eventually we will have to find an alternative, if only because the current animal agriculture system is untenable,” Deschanel explains her choice.

Vegetarian Pamela Anderson (53).

Anderson stopped eating meat at the age of 13 when she saw her father cut off the head of a hunted deer. She is a known animal advocate – she doesn’t wear fur or leather and doesn’t eat meat, dairy or eggs.

“First I gave up meat – to be honest, I never liked the taste of it, and last of all – from dairy products,” says the model. According to her, after the transition to vegetarianism improved digestion, skin and hair condition, well-being in general. The actress believes that animal products are simply not suitable for our body, and vegetarianism helps her to keep young.

Her favorite foods are avocados, grapefruit, cucumbers, pistachios, bread and hummus. From drinks Anderson prefers pink wine. Stay in shape helps her to stay physically active. However, training in the gym model replaces it with long walks on the beach and dancing.

Meat-eater Nicole Kidman (53)

Kidman has no forbidden foods – in one TV show she even ate bugs! “I eat everything, but in moderation. When I go on a bus tour with my husband, I eat junk food all the time. I don’t believe in food refusals, I try to follow the principle of 80% healthy food and 20% junk food. I find a balance that works for me and I feel full of energy,” she says.

Keeping fit helps the actress sports: she seriously engaged in yoga and meditation. Also an important role in Kidman’s life is running – she likes to organize jogging in the woods or on the beach. “My parents ran marathons, so running has been a part of my life since I was a little girl,” she said in an interview.

Vegetarian Michelle Pfeiffer (62)

Pfeiffer says no to plastic surgery and ages with her usual grace. However, age changes show up on the actress’ face very slowly. She says it’s all about her diet. “I am sure I look younger than my years thanks to veganism. It is the healthiest diet that doesn’t clog the body with toxins, which in turn accelerate aging. Soon after I switched to veganism, my skin improved noticeably,” the actress shared.

According to the star, it was difficult for her to give up carbohydrates, but not from animal proteins – she never liked them and used to eat meat only because she thought it was useful. According to her, it was hard for the first few weeks, and then she got involved. Now Pfeiffer even likes vegan food.

Meat-eater Sharon Stone (62).

The star of the movie “Basic Instinct” and in her seventh decade of life keeps in great shape. Partly thanks to sports, partly – some restrictions in food. Stone does not eat canned food, smoked meats, convenience foods and other harmful things, and also tries to refrain from caffeine, sugar and alcohol. “But I do eat meat and bitter chocolate, sometimes I can sweeten my tea. I have celiac disease (intestinal disorder – Editor’s note), so I don’t eat gluten. Otherwise, I eat like a normal person – I eat what I want,” says Stone.

In the end, it doesn’t seem to matter whether you eat meat or not: both vegetarians and meat-eaters in our selection are in great physical shape. The main thing is to generally follow a healthy lifestyle: eat right, don’t overindulge in sweets and flour, avoid alcohol and tobacco, and exercise.