Everything You Need to Know About the Flexitarian Diet + 2 New Recipes
The flexitarian diet has been gaining popularity as more and more people are looking to reduce their meat consumption. Here's the lowdown on this diet, along with new recipes to try out.
What is a Flexitarian Diet?
Noted dietician Dawn Jackson Blatner first used the term 'flexitarian' in her 2009 book, by borrowing from the words 'flexible' and 'vegetarian'. According to Blatner, there is no need to completely do away with meat and associated animal products in order to get the benefits of a vegetarian diet. A few burgers and some grilled salmon can actually help balance a diet and even improve health conditions.
While vegetarians completely stay away from any form of animal products, meat-eaters include some form of animal protein in all their meals. Flexitarians tend to lean more towards the vegetarian lifestyle with an occasional side of meat dishes. From the vegetarian staples of tofu and quinoa, to intermittent salmon and lamb, there is no food item that is forbidden to flexitarians. There are no defined rules for this diet, which helps followers get the best of both worlds. No wonder it is quickly becoming the preferred lifestyle choice for many. So much so, that U.S. News has ranked the flexitarian diet Number 2 among its list of Best Food Diets Overall for 2022 because of its balanced nature and how it aids weight loss.
So if you're looking for a more plant- and fruit-heavy diet, but without completely cutting off animal protein, a flexitarian diet may just be the right way of life for you.
