Apr 8, 2024
Wondering what this new term is for the latest in food trends? Here we tackle fifteen of the most common questions from google searches regarding Flexitarianism the new, or should we say, old, dieting trend that is surprisingly straightforward. Chances are you may be following it without realizing!
Yes – absolutely. But you would be mistaken for thinking it is a new trend. The word Flexitarian was actually added to dictionaries in 1998, referring to a person who keeps a primarily, but not strictly, vegetarian diet.
Flexitarianism is a more practical solution to modern living and is more likely to stick around since it is less restrictive and more ‘flexible’. Many food trend followers found the move to becoming 100% Keto, plant-based or vegan too difficult to maintain. While they enjoyed the short-term benefits of some of
these diets, they found they couldn’t keep it up long term.
A good definition comes from Wikipedia:
”A semi-vegetarian diet (SVD), also called a flexitarian diet, is one that is centred on plant foods with the occasional inclusion of meat.”
The combination of the words “flexible and vegetarian” meaning the focus is still very much on vegetables and nutritious plant-based foods but allows some room for meat.
A flexitarian can eat anything but follows a predominantly vegetarian diet. Bring on the healthy flexitarian foods and the leafy greens.
This diet is not about avoiding any particular foods, but more about improving your diet overall. So on a flexitarian diet plan, you can eat anything – there is no food that you can’t have – however, moderation remains key and the focus should be on vegetables and plant-based food.
A Flexitarian is a semi-vegetarian following a mostly vegetarian diet but allowing small amounts of meat.
There are no specific rules to how much meat a Flexitarian can consume and it is very much up to the individual. A good guide comes from Flexitarian nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner, R.D
“A beginner, seven meatless meals a week, advanced, 14 meatless meals a week and an expert eats meat six times or less per week.”
Yes, but like meat, dairy is in moderation with the main diet focused on vegetables and plant-based products.
Tricky one! If we are talking about the environment then Vegan is potentially the better option. If we are talking about diet, benefits for the body and mind and ease of implementation then Flexitarianism often wins. As always with diets, not one diet works for all, it is very much up to the individual and you
should always seek medical advice before making drastic changes to your diet.
The same as most people with an emphasis on natural snacks; fruit, seeds and nuts, fresh veggies and whole grain crackers and bread.
Fresh and Lean highlighted seven key benefits to following a Flexitarian diet:
1 – Reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes.
2 – Better for the environment.
3 – More affordable.
4 – Benefits for weight loss.
5 – Potentially reduces risk of heart disease.
6 – It's nutrient dense.
7 – It's easier to follow than Vegetarian or Vegan diets.
A better question may be what don’t they eat! So many breakfast options offer you the best
of both worlds. Here are a few ideas from our breakfast menu at Bawah Reserve:
Poached egg and avocado purée on fresh whole meal toast
Scrambled tofu with multiseed English muffin
Balinese coconut and chia seed pudding
Homemade Granola cereal with fresh fruits and yoghurt
All of these fresh and delicious options would be considered part of a Flexitarian diet. Yum!
Yes, eggs are ok to be consumed on a Flexitarian diet but there is a focus on better quality eggs like free range or organic options.
Yes, with a well-planned diet it can be very healthy. Like most diets it very much depends on the quantities and the way in which the food is cooked. If you are eating predominantly vegetables cooked without too much fat and eating sensible portions then this is a healthy option.
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Check out our sweetcorn fritters – great for breakfast, lunch or supper – filling and tasty. If you are choosing to add some meat into your day then these are great alongside a small lean steak.
Are you convinced? Let us know if you are trying out a Flexitarian diet and any tips or recipes you may have discovered!
If you like the concept of Flexitarianism then you may also be interested to learn more about the reducetarian diet or the concept of veggivores and sustainitarianism.
If you are a guest coming to Bawah Reserve, rest assured our menus are designed to make a Flexitarian diet easy to maintain whilst on holiday!
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