Benefits Of Flexitarian Diet

The flexitarian diet is fantastic because you can reap the rewards of eating fewer animal products with minimal effort. If you’re a lover of convenience, then you’ll love this diet. As you may have already guessed, the word flexitarian combines ‘flexible’ and ‘vegetarian’. And the diet is exactly what it says on the tin–flexible.

Despite the rise of plant-based diets and vegan lifestyles, many people still find it daunting to give up animal products forever. If you are one of those people, then flexitarianism is for you. There are no strict rules for being a flexitarian. You can reduce your consumption of animal products whenever it suits you, and you can do it as little and as much as you’d like. 

According to data collected by YouGov, 13% of adults in the UK are flexitarians. Interested in joining them? Great! Here’s the low down on the benefits of reducing your consumption of animal products.  

What can you eat on a flexitarian diet?

A flexitarian diet is all about variety, so there’s lots of choice for what you can eat. The key to staying flexitarian for a long time is to switch up your menu and keep things fresh and interesting. Don’t stick to the same boiled veggies with every meal; branch out and try different things. 

Each diet is different depending on the individual. For example, one flexitarian might eat a diet rich in whole foods, whereas another might prefer processed foods. As long as you reduce the amount of meat, dairy and eggs that you eat, you are a flexitarian (however, if you adopt a flexitarian diet to experience the health benefits, a plant-rich diet is recommended). 

Affordable

Research published in Lancet Planetary Health found that “eating a healthier and more sustainable diet (vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian or flexitarian) could slash up to a third off your food bill.” On average, flexitarian diets could save 14% off their food shopping. 

In February 2022, grocery prices rose at their fastest rate in more than eight years. Meat has become particularly expensive, with the cost rising a whopping 3% since January 2021. 

If you follow a diet that largely comprises plant-based whole foods, you will definitely see a reduction in your food bill. Research suggests that vegan meals could be 40% cheaper than meals that include meat and fish!  

Flexibility

What’s not to love about a diet with plenty of freedom and doesn’t require you to eliminate anything from your current diet? This way of eating is ideal for individuals that can’t necessarily commit to changing what they eat.

Rich in nutrition

There is no better diet than one rich in an assortment of plant foods. When you begin to cut down on meat, dairy and eggs, you make more room for fruits and vegetables. Researchers now recommend eating ten portions of fruit and vegetables per day instead of just five to live a long and healthy life!

Lower environmental footprint

Meat-eaters have a much higher environmental footprint than those that reduce their consumption of animal products. Beef and lamb have the highest environmental footprint. So these are the foods that are best to cut out completely, if possible. Although, cutting out the worst culprits only to increase your consumption of chicken and fish isn’t helpful either. 

Going vegan or vegetarian is one of the best things you can do to lower your impact on the planet. Therefore, flexitarianism is undoubtedly a good step in the right direction.

Weight management

Research suggests that vegans and vegetarians tend to be slimmer than meat-eaters. And though it doesn’t work like magic, reducing your consumption of animal products will make weight loss a much more manageable task. Plant-based foods are generally high in nutrition and low in calories, making them the ultimate ‘diet’ foods.