Flexitarian Diet

Flexitarian Diet

The Promise

Go meatless most of the time, and you'll lose weight and get healthy with ease. That’s the mission of the Flexitarian Diet.

Author and dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner says that eating mainly plant-based foods is a smart way to cut calories. Flexitarians (“flexible vegetarians”) eat a lot less meat than they used to but don't give it up completely.

Nothing is off-limits, but the goal is to add more plant-based foods to your diet while cutting back on meat.

The book has a short assessment of eating habits that will determine how you begin. Blatner considers you a beginner flexitarian if you have two meatless days per week (26 ounces of meat or poultry per week).

Advanced flexitarians skip meat 3 to 4 days a week (18 ounces of meat or poultry a week).

Experts go meatless 5 or more days a week (9 ounces of meat or poultry).

The Flexitarian Diet does urge you to make more meatless changes, but baby steps are OK. Blatner suggests making at least one shift per day, so you won't feel overwhelmed. The recipes also focus on simplicity; each one includes just five main ingredients.

Meal prep is kept relatively easy, but you will need to stock up on fresh produce regularly and get comfortable in the kitchen.

You will need to be active for 30 minutes most days just for good health. Shift to 90 minutes most days if you want to slim down.

The "flex" in flexitarian means that it's all about options.

Cost: Just your food. Though fresh produce can be expensive, you may actually save money because vegetarian proteins (tofu, beans, etc.) are generally less expensive than meat and poultry.

Does It Work?

It can help you lose weight, but how much you eat still counts.

Research shows that vegetarians tend to weigh less than people who eat meat. Plus, plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables are generally high in nutrition and low in calories, and are important parts of a heart-healthy diet.

Becoming a vegetarian doesn’t guarantee weight loss, but adding more plant-based foods to your diet can help your health in many ways.

The diet’s strengths are that it can help anyone eat a more healthful, plant-based diet. This, in turn, may help you manage your weight and improve your health.

If you’re looking to add more plant-based foods to your diet gradually without the commitment of becoming a full-fledged vegetarian, this is the ideal plan for you. The recipes are simple and geared toward beginner cooks.