Plant-based diets have grown in popularity lately, and you might’ve seen the word “flexitarian” on your social media feed more than usual. So, what are flexitarians, and why do so many people decide to join that style of life?
What Is a Flexitarian?
A flexitarian diet is very similar to a vegan and vegetarian diet, but as the name suggests, it grants consumers more flexibility with their choices. Although it depends on the individual, most flexitarians still consume meat and fish in moderation within a diet that largely focuses on plant-based foods and substitutes.
A flexitarian diet does, however, have a few rules and principles, even though it’s not as strict as vegetarianism or veganism. First of all, newbies should focus their attention on fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains. When transitioning from an animal-based diet, try to get most proteins from plants, but feel free to include meat and animal products at times to help ease the transition. One of the most important rules though, is that flexitarians should choose less processed foods with minimal sugar and salt.
One of the most popular ways to transition to flexitarian eating is to only consume meat and animal-based products in the morning. There are even a number of celebrities that try their best to go plant-based after noon! NBA star Steph Curry and celebrity trainer Dalton Wong — as well as Wong’s clients Jennifer Lawrence, Zoe Kravitz, and Amanda Seyfried — all follow this type of diet.
Wong says that eating meat in the morning improves digestion and sleep. And registered dietitians Kris Sollid and Alix Turoff agree with him. Wong says that eating protein early in the morning can keep one full and energetic during the day, while eating protein-filled meals later in the day will cause the body to digest it during the evening or night, which can cause sleep disruption. According to Sollid, eating meat in the morning can also help to promote weight loss and prevent muscle building.
Benefits of a Flexitarian Diet
That said, the flexitarian diet is about more than counting calories or losing weight — it’s a lifestyle! “Most people have a very hard time putting together a healthy, fully plant-based diet,” Turoff stated. “But incorporating more plants into our diet and working towards choosing more sustainable, lean animal protein sources is always a good goal.”
“The emphasis on plant foods in a flexitarian eating pattern is thought to contribute to the health benefits associated with a vegetarian diet without requiring compliance to a 100% vegetarian or vegan diet,” Sollid explained. “A flexitarian diet, as its name implies, allows for flexibility while striving to slowly increase fruit and vegetable intake over time without eliminating animal foods to ensure people get enough protein, iron, and calcium.”
In addition to weight loss, flexitarian or semi-vegetarian diets can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of diabetes, according to a 2017 Frontiers in Nutrition review. Research also shows that people with pro-vegetarian or flexitarian diets decrease their risk of dying from heart disease by 20%.
While keeping your health in check, a flexitarian diet can allow you to help the planet, too. Reducing meat consumption directly affects decreased greenhouse gas emissions and land and water use.
Sources: EatingWell, Healthline, Insider