After seven decades of eating meat every day, I gave it up - and I've never felt better.

Being alone on Christmas Day, l chose to eat something simple and light. The colourful salad left a lingering flavour in my mouth all afternoon, and l didn’t want to spoil it or lose it by eating a snack, as was my habit.

I decided there and then to maintain this lovely satisfying feeling as a Christmas gift to myself.

This new realisation as to how food could change my mood encouraged me to pursue even more new ‘firsts’.

I think eating a meat-free meal for the first time was so different for me because I’d always assumed from my 1950s upbringing that meat was a daily essential.

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Some of my friends today have long been vegetarian, and now l see why.

My weight has reduced from 94kg to 88kg, and I appear to be maintaining that. Dramatic weight loss has in itself been a motivation to carry on, but I am impressed by the other benefits I am reaping. I feel clean and light and much more clear-headed.

Also, l began to consider that animals going through a meat works killing procedure must be under extreme stress which would have had a hormonal effect in the blood, not necessarily making it healthy for human consumption.

I am now nearly three months into my new meat-free diet, feeling guilt-free, lighter, fitter, with better bowel habits and heavier pockets.

My blood pressure is down, cholesterol is down, weight is down. What more can l ask for?

If l can make a life-changing turnaround in my eating habits at 69, anyone can, and it will certainly help you to go into old age with a healthier body, and a more carefree life. Go on, give it a go - you've got a new life to gain.