Paleo, pescatarian, vegan, vegetarian, ketogenic… If you’ve been exploring healthy eating for any amount of time, you’ve probably come across these different dietary lifestyles at one point or another. And let’s be honest, it can be a little overwhelming deciding on the best place to start with so many choices. Maybe you’re ready to go entirely plant-based or just want to reduce the amount of meat you and your family eat. Either way, a flexitarian meal plan might be just the ticket. We’ll fill you in on what flexitarianism is and explore some of the benefits.
What does it mean to follow a flexitarian meal plan?
First, let`s start with the flexitarian diet, and what do people who follow it eat? The key to the flexitarian meal plan is simplicity. It is a semi-vegetarian diet that includes meat but also plant-based alternatives. It also doesn`t have a lot of rules, which means it is a flexible diet to follow. A Flexitarian meal plan includes whole grains (like quinoa, oats, and brown rice), legumes (black beans, chickpeas, and lentils), and veggies. Fortunately, it includes meat in small portions or plan-based alternatives.
How to start a flexitarian meal plan?
- Start eating more fruits, vegetables and legumes.
- Choose one or more days of the week when you don’t eat meat or animal products.
- Choose which plant-based products best suit your taste preferences by trying different options.
- Make your partner or family and friends part of your new diet.
- Drink lots of water. This is never superfluous.
- Enjoy your food and don’t skip a meal.
Health Benefits of a Flexitarian Diet
Since a flexitarian diet has a plant-based focus, it’s high in antioxidants and vital nutrients with a variety of potential health benefits. Even more, it can help with different health concerns, including:
- Weight loss or maintaining body weight
- Reducing the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases
- Lowering blood pressure
- Managing cholesterol
- Decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes
- Lowering the risk of cancer
- Rather than emphasizing restriction, a flexitarian meal plan embraces what you can add to your plate, which means less stress around what you’re eating. It’s not like keeping track of carbohydrates on a ketogenic plan or worrying about missing nutrients on a vegan diet.
If you’re looking after your health or that of your loved ones, a flexitarian meal plan is a diet plan that could be a good fit. It’s an easy-going approach that promotes eating more fruits and vegetables, plant-based meat or other alternatives while including healthy carbs and fats to meet your nutritional needs. We’re sharing easy plant-based recipes, but don’t feel shy to talk with a registered dietitian or nutritionist who can help you craft an eating plan that works for your specific needs.
