How Dietary Choices (Vegan, Keto etc.) Affect Life Insurance

We’ve all heard the saying balance is key when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, and this couldn’t be more true for your diet. The choices you make about what you eat can have a lasting impact on your overall health. This in turn, plays a significant role when it comes to your life insurance premiums. Just like in life, where balance is essential for maintaining good health, the life insurance world also values a well-rounded approach. 

Insurance companies look at how your diet influences key health markers (like your weight, cholesterol levels, and heart health) when assessing your risk. While your exact eating habits aren’t typically part of the life insurance questionnaire, the results of those habits certainly are. In this blog, we’ll explore how different diets, from plant-based to high-fat, can impact your life insurance rates and what you can do to maintain that all-important balance.

In this article:

• Does My Diet Directly Affect My Life Insurance Premiums?
  • How Do Life Insurance Companies Assess Risk?
• Health Benefits of Plant-Based Diets (Vegan, Vegetarian)
• Will a High-Fat Diet Like Keto Negatively Affect My Premiums?
• Are There Diets That Raise Red Flags for Life Insurance Companies?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How Dietary Choices Affect Life Insurance

Does My Diet Directly Affect My Life Insurance Premiums?

While your specific diet may not be a direct factor that life insurance companies ask about, its influence on your overall health can affect the premiums you pay. Life insurers don’t typically base their underwriting decisions on whether you follow a plant-based, ketogenic, or any other type of diet. Instead, they focus on the measurable outcomes of your lifestyle choices, such as your weight, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other key health indicators.

For example, a well-balanced diet that helps you maintain a healthy weight, keeps your cholesterol in check, and supports good heart health will likely result in more favorable life insurance rates. Conversely, if your dietary habits contribute to elevated cholesterol, obesity, or chronic conditions like diabetes, it can lead to higher premiums. In essence, while your food choices aren’t directly evaluated, their impact on your physical health becomes a critical factor in how you are assessed by insurers.

It’s important to remember that life insurance underwriting is based on risk assessment. The healthier you are, the lower your perceived risk of a premature claim. This translates to more affordable premiums. A diet that promotes long-term health (whether it’s plant-based, high-protein, or otherwise) will ultimately contribute to a more favorable health profile. This can make a significant difference in the cost of your life insurance policy.

How Do Life Insurance Companies Assess Risk?

When applying for life insurance, insurance companies go through a process called underwriting. This means they evaluate various aspects of your health and lifestyle to determine the level of risk you present. This process is important for calculating the premiums you’ll pay, as insurers need to assess how likely it is that they’ll have to pay out a claim based on your health status. Typically, insurers look at a wide range of factors, including your age, medical history, smoking habits, and overall physical condition. The goal is to form a complete picture of your long-term health prospects, which ultimately determines your risk profile.

As mentioned, diet itself is not a direct question on life insurance applications but it plays a role in influencing the health metrics that underwriters consider. Key factors like Body Mass Index (BMI), cholesterol levels, and blood pressure are all influenced by your dietary choices. A well-balanced diet that promotes heart health, for instance, can lead to lower cholesterol and healthy blood pressure levels, which are seen favorably by insurers. On the other hand, diets that contribute to weight gain, high cholesterol, or chronic conditions like diabetes may lead to higher premiums, as they increase your risk of serious health issues.

During the underwriting process, you may be asked to undergo a medical exam or fill out a detailed health questionnaire. This exam will indirectly assess your dietary habits by measuring important health indicators. For example, if you follow a diet high in unhealthy fats, this might reflect in elevated cholesterol levels or a high BMI. Similarly, high blood sugar levels might suggest poor dietary management or the presence of diabetes. Through these health measurements, insurers are able to assess how your lifestyle, including your diet, affects your overall health. On this basis they adjust premiums based on the risks they identify.

Health Benefits of Plant-Based Diets (Vegan, Vegetarian)

Adopting a plant-based diet, whether vegan or vegetarian, can have an impact on overall health, which in turn can influence life insurance premiums. Many research suggests that plant-based diets can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Studies indicate that those who primarily consume plant-based foods tend to have lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer. These diets are typically rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential nutrients, all of which contribute to better cardiovascular health and reduced inflammation (two key factors insurers assess when evaluating risk).

One of the other major advantages of vegan and vegetarian diets is their positive effect on weight management. Plant-based diets, which are often lower in calories and saturated fats, can help individuals maintain a healthy BMI. A stable, healthy weight is a crucial factor that life insurance companies consider during the underwriting process, as obesity is linked to a number of health risks, including diabetes and heart conditions. Maintaining a healthy BMI through diet can therefore improve an applicant’s health profile, potentially leading to more favorable premium rates.

However, while a plant-based diet can offer numerous health benefits, there are some considerations to keep in mind when it comes to life insurance. Nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, are common concerns for individuals following a strictly vegan or vegetarian diet. A lack of these essential nutrients could affect overall health if not properly managed, and insurers may view deficiencies that lead to anemia, fatigue, or other health complications as risk factors. For those on plant-based diets, ensuring balanced nutrition is key, as insurers will ultimately base premiums on the total picture of your health, not just the benefits of your dietary choices.

Will a High-Fat Diet Like Keto Negatively Affect My Premiums?

Whether a high-fat diet like keto will affect your life insurance premiums largely depends on how it influences your overall health, particularly in areas like cholesterol, weight, and cardiovascular function. The ketogenic diet is designed to shift your body into a state of ketosis, where fat becomes the primary energy source instead of carbohydrates. This can lead to significant weight loss and improved blood sugar control for some individuals, both of which are favorable factors during life insurance underwriting.

However, the impact of keto on your cholesterol levels is more complex. While many people experience an increase in “good” HDL cholesterol on this diet, there are others who may see a rise in “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which can raise red flags for insurers. Elevated LDL levels are closely tied to heart disease, and if your cholesterol profile worsens, this could negatively affect your premiums. Insurers typically look at these markers during medical exams, and if they detect high cholesterol or other cardiovascular risks, you could face higher rates.

Additionally, while the keto diet can be effective for short-term weight loss, insurers are also interested in long-term health outcomes. Sustaining a healthy weight is a positive indicator, but rapid fluctuations or excessive focus on fats could lead to other concerns, such as increased risk of heart disease or nutrient imbalances. Maintaining regular check-ups and monitoring your cholesterol levels while on a high-fat diet is essential if you want to ensure it doesn’t adversely impact your life insurance costs.

Are There Diets That Raise Red Flags for Life Insurance Companies?

Yes, some diets can raise red flags for life insurance companies, especially if they have a negative impact on your long-term health. For example, extreme high-fat diets that encourage a lot of saturated fat without balance might lead to higher levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. This can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke, which are key factors insurers look at when determining your life insurance premiums. If your diet is contributing to higher cholesterol or cardiovascular issues, you could end up paying more for coverage.

Overly restrictive diets can also be a red flag for insurers. When a diet cuts out important food groups or severely limits essential nutrients, it can lead to deficiencies in things like iron, calcium, or vitamin B12. These deficiencies might result in anemia, fatigue, or weakened bone health, which could make you appear riskier in the eyes of an insurance company.

While insurance companies typically won’t ask directly about your diet, they’ll see the results of your lifestyle through health metrics like cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and BMI during the underwriting process. If your diet negatively impacts these areas, it can lead to higher premiums. That’s why it’s important to follow a balanced diet that supports your overall health, rather than one that might cause more harm in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How Dietary Choices Affect Life Insurance

Find a solution for what you’re looking for 

Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet not only supports your long-term health but can also positively impact your life insurance premiums, ensuring you get the best coverage at the best rates. At Protect Your Wealth, we work with and compare policies and quotes from the best life insurance companies in Canada to ensure the best solution for you and your needs. We provide expert life insurance solutions, including no medical life insurance, critical illness insurance, term life insurance, and permanent life insurance to build the best package to give you the protection you need. 

Contact Protect Your Wealth or call us at 1-877-654-6119 to talk to an advisor today! We’re proudly based out of Hamilton, and service clients anywhere in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba including areas such as Guelph, Victoria, Red Deer, and Portage la Prairie.