More and more people want to take care of their health. With this trend, there are more types of diets that are being created or adapted according to people’s needs. Today we want to talk about one of them: the flexitarian diet.
In this article we will explain what it is about and what you can and cannot eat if you want to follow this diet.
What does it mean to be a flexitarian?
A flexitarian diet is a variation of the vegetarian diet. The people who follow it, the flexitarians, eat mainly fruits and vegetables, but sometimes they can also eat meat and fish or derivatives of these. Such as eggs, cheese or yogurt. In fact, it is considered one of the most balanced diets, since in most of them too much meat is consumed. Or as happens in vegetarians, it is not ingested at all and supplements are needed to provide us with the missing nutrients and vitamins.
Characteristics of this diet:
The name was born in the 90s in the United States. It was chef Helga Morath who used it to define the menu for her restaurant. Although it has not been until a few years ago that it has become better known.
The Flexitarian bases his diet on fruit, vegetables, legumes and cereals, but as we have mentioned before, he is allowed the occasional consumption of meat and fish. Of course, it must be sporadic, not something usual.
It is a diet that adapts to the person who follows it. Normally people eat small amounts of meat or fish a week, the rest is from the vegetarian diet, not vegan. Eggs and dairy products are allowed for regular consumption. This is how you get the proteins of animal origin that the body needs.
Another advantage is that, by eating 5 meals a day, the satiating effect of the meals is prolonged and late bingeing is avoided. It also improves digestion.
On the subject of meat, the exceptions we refer to are the type of meat that is consumed more frequently than it should be. Normally, white meat is prioritized over red meat, since the latter is associated with several cardiovascular diseases. Flexitarians also tend to prefer organic meat.
One of the latest trends is adding seeds to this diet. This is because they are satiating, provide fiber, minerals, Omega 3 fatty acids, help control cholesterol… We highlight flaxseed, chia and sesame seeds.
You don’t need to starve, and that’s something people like when they decide to become a flexitarian. It is because we are misinformed, a diet should not make us starve. It should provide us with the essential nutrients that our body needs throughout the day and should satisfy us, neither more nor less. Thanks to the flexitarian diet we will succeed.
Its benefits are proven. It is a diet that can be followed by anyone at any age, because it adapts and provides the best of each type of food. In addition, it respects the environment, what more could you ask for? Decide to step up and become a Flexitarian.
If you want a diet that gives you the energy you need, helps you stay healthy inside, improves the appearance of your skin and respects the environment without starving you, this is the diet you were looking for. If it is so fashionable, it is for a reason, and it is also a way of life that helps us to be more respectful of animals and nature, while taking care of our body.