It’s never too late to turn vegan – and here’s definitive proof.

Anne Fraser became one just before her 96th birthday and she’s our ultimate plant-based icon.

In fact, it’s safe to say that she looks more vital than most people a quarter of her age.

She still practises yoga – in fact, she teaches ‘chair yoga’ and meditation at her community centre every Monday.


‘I do think that they go hand in hand,’ she tells Metro.co.uk.

‘I’ve always ended all my classes with the meta prayer, “May all beings be happy and free” and after becoming vegan, and learning how inhumane and cruel our animal agriculture system is, I realised that I wasn’t doing my part.



‘I was praying for all animals to be happy and free but not practicing it by still consuming animal products. Now when I say that prayer it has a deeper meaning to me.’

She says she was initially inspired to go vegan after seeing how happy her granddaughter was on a plant-based diet.

‘Then I saw the documentary What The Health and found it convincing on many levels. I was particularly inspired by the stories of sick individuals going plant-based and being able to get off their medications. I had recently been diagnosed with Afib (irregular heartbeat) and put on a medication that made me feel tired and my legs like lead.

‘I was desperate to get off it and a plant-based diet offered me hope.’

A New Yorker who now lives in Ohio, she says that she grew up eating a ‘typical American diet’ which involved loads of meat and dairy.

In 2013, at the grand old age of 91, she became a vegetarian – again thanks to her granddaughter who came to live with her while she was recovering from a hip operation.

‘She introduced me to delicious vegetarian dishes when she lived with me for a month and cooked all my meals,’ says Anne.

Anne’s granddaughter has managed to convert quite a lot of the family to ditch their meat-eating ways.

‘My granddaughter influenced me, her mother and her aunt to go vegan. My best friend Jules is also vegan. He decided to transition with me after watching “What The Health.” I’m fortunate to have so many supportive people around me and we are having so much fun discovering new recipes and new products. We are obsessed with Miyoko’s butter right now.’

So, what’s Anne’s go-to vegan dish?

‘My favourite vegan dish is “mac and cheese” by Detoxinista. I was hooked the first time my granddaughter made it for me and that was before I was even a vegan!

‘My favourite vegan treat is dates. I have a few after dinner to satisfy my sweet tooth!’

But Anne admits that it’s been a difficult transition, moving from vegetarianism to veganism.

She doesn’t have her own kitchen and all her meals are provided by the catering staff where she lives – so the vegan options are limited.



‘But I make it work. I have a vitamix to make smoothies and I use it to make my favourite cashew cheese sauce from the book “This Cheese is Nuts.” I bring that sauce with me to my meals here and flavour my veggies and baked potato. I also have a toaster oven which I use to make all kinds of vegan toast. Almond butter, banana and maple syrup is my favourite.’

And the one thing that Anne wants people to know about going vegan?

‘Id like them to realize that although it is a challenge it’s a lot of fun and you feel better! You have more energy and a new interest in life!

‘People should approach it carefully, slowly and let their bodies adjust to the different way of eating. You don’t have to be perfect. Be aware of the changes in your body and how your energy is enhanced and how you want to get out in the world and be active.

‘Explore the unusual and new vegan food. Share recipes with your friends and family and have fun!’

Anne = absolute legend.

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