<h1><b>For Vincent Tan, going vegetarian ‘the best decision ever’</b></h1> The 70-year-old, who has been vegetarian for 7 years, credits this lifestyle for lowering his risk of developing chronic diseases.<div><br></div><div>Adopting a vegetarian diet for the last seven years was “the best decision ever made” by tycoon Vincent Tan, who said it had changed his life for the better.<br><br>The founder and executive chairman of Berjaya Corporation Bhd, who turned 70 this year, said vegetarianism – coupled with the healthy habit of keeping away from alcohol and smoking – has helped lower his risk of developing chronic diseases.</div><div><br></div><div>“Initially it was not easy to replace meat and seafood with vegetarian options, but now, after years of being vegetarian, I can’t take the smell of meat and even sea creatures like prawns,” he said at the second Malaysian Lifestyle Medicine (LM) conference, organised by the Malaysian Society of Lifestyle Medicine at Berjaya Times Square Hotel yesterday.<br><br>LM is an emerging discipline in healthcare that has the potential to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with non-communicable diseases.</div><div><br></div><div>Tan shared that he turned vegetarian following a visit to Taiwan seven years ago to meet Tzu Chi Foundation founder Master Cheng Yen, who suggested he adopt the diet exclusively.<br><br>As a result, “I feel physically healthier, mentally more alert, and spiritually richer”, he said.<br><br>Tan believes vegetarianism is an effective method of disease prevention as it has helped keep his blood sugar and pressure levels under control for years, despite the stress of running his businesses.<br><br>The philanthropist added that he now serves vegetarian dishes when hosting business functions, and also runs a café in Berjaya Times Square Hotel that serves 100% vegetarian food.<br><br>According to Tan, only 4-5% of the population in Malaysia adheres to the lifestyle because “there is the perception that vegetarians only eat salad and nothing else. But I eat [vegetarian] nasi lemak, nasi briyani, and curry laksa”, he said.<br><br>He also urged environmentalists to turn to vegetarianism to boost their credibility, and advised parents to include more fruits and vegetables in their children’s diets as this would be beneficial for them in the future.</div>