What is the flexitarian diet and would it suit you

A flexitarian diet allows you to make choices which are in line with a plant-based diet. But it also offers flexibility in your diet by making space for you to indulge in the occasional piece of meat or animal protein while being primarily vegetarian in your daily food choices.

Insider states that the name 'flexitarian' seems to have popped up around 2004. It gained momentum due to the 2008 book by dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner named, The Flexitarian Diet: A Detailed Beginner’s Guide. A Flexitarian diet is not vegan or vegetarian in itself because you still consume food sourced from animals, even if it forms a very small part of your overall diet.

Basic principles of a flexitarian diet

BBC Good Foodscalled a flexitarian diet, ‘casual vegetarianism.’ According to their report, this diet is becoming very popular because it allows people to eat in an environmentally sustainable way by actively reducing the amount of meat they consume while at the same time, allowing the flexibility to indulge in it sometimes.

This diet does not have any calorie-specific parameters or any clear-cut rules and regulations but there are certain underlying principles to be followed. Healthlinestates them as:

• Eating mostly plant-based including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Plant-based proteins are preferred over proteins from animals.
• Freedom to incorporate animal-based products in your meals every now and then.
• Reducing the consumption of processed foods.
• Consuming less sugar with a focus on lessening added sugar intake.

Health Benefits of a flexitarian diet

US News & World Report has ranked the flexitarian diet as the 2nd best overall diet in their 2022 Best Diet Rankings. It comes second only to the Mediterranean diet. According to them, this diet is great for health, easy to follow and great for long-term weight loss. They state that this diet can improve the overall health of people by reducing the likelihood of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

The flexitarian diet essentially allows you to enjoy all the benefits of being a vegetarian while leaving room to indulge in your favourite meat-based meals when the urge strikes.

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