What are the benefits of a flexitarian diet?
The flexitarian diet: rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains, but also with the introduction of occasional meats, fish and poultry. The best of both worlds, perhaps?
The term ‘flexitarian’ itself has risen in popularity over the last couple of years, and with the subsequent increase in vegan and vegetarian diets across the globe, more people are naturally experimenting with their meat intake and looking for new, exciting ways to pick, choose and enjoy food.
But what are the benefits of a flexitarian diet?
Flexitarian benefit #1 - less meat positively impacts your health
This first point should be a no-brainer. Recent changes in health-analysis and the way nutritionists look at diet has only helped to accelerate new research on meat consumption, and with it the notion that it has the possibility to carry multiple threats to health if over-eaten.
Too much saturated fat and salt in meat, for example, is associated with chronic illness and diseases such as heart disease. According to the BBC:
‘Replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats has been shown to reduce the risk of death by any cause by 19%.’
This is especially great news for flexitarians, as a reduction in meat is one of the key aspects of the diet.
Reduced chances of failure on a flexitarian diet
We’ve all been there, day four of a new super-strict diet and we’re left with hunger pangs from lack of nutrition, craving for our favourite treats or looking ahead to the remaining days with dread and a slight light-headedness. This is usually down to setting eating goals that are just too difficult to stick to.
These unattainable goals are often abandoned after a short attempt, and can often leave us feeling guilty, ashamed and as if we’re just not as good as everybody else at sticking to diets. The great benefit of a flexitarian diet is that, unlike the vegan diet, it doesn’t say ‘never eat meat’, instead, it says: ‘eat less meat’. And so when you inevitably get those cravings for meat or fish, you can have a small portion as a treat and not feel like you have broken your new lifestyle (because you haven’t!). This ultimately leads to more chance of sticking to a diet, because it doesn’t appear to be interfering with your lifestyle.
More freedom to eat things your way
And finally, and perhaps the best benefit of all, is that choosing a flexitarian diet gives you more freedom to eat things your way. Choose a grilled steak sandwich one day, choose a veggie stir-fry the next. Spread Flora Light on your toast one morning, and allow yourself eggs the next, it’s really that simple!
For more information on our flexitarian-friendly Flora spreads range, click here!