The Rise Of Flexitarian Diet, What Is It And Why It’s So Popular?

What Is It

One of the most popular trends among foodies, health coaches, and those looking for new ways of eating, is definitely the flexitarian diet. The term comes from a combination of “flexible” and “vegetarian”, and it suggests that a more flexible approach to vegetarianism, or a plant-based diet, can provide a more realistic, and healthier, lifestyle where you can still enjoy the benefits of loading up on fruits, vegetables, healthy fats such as La Española Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and whole foods, without having to ditch animal products such as steaks (who doesn’t like a juicy burger?), seafood, dairy, and poultry entirely. 

Benefits

A good alternative for all-or-nothing diets
It’s fair to say we are all accustomed to diets that “prohibit” certain meals/ingredients because of their impact on the body. The usual suspects are sugar, carbohydrates, and meat among others. But more often than not, a middle-ground between the extremes can work really well for some people (or a lot a people, in this case). 
The flexitarian diet, which is regularly described as a “hybrid” diet, embraces this popular middle-ground and takes a direct hit to the more traditional all-or-nothing attitude.

Positive Impact To The Environment

It’s no secret that animal products, particularly meat, are an important source of greenhouse gas emissions, and the kind of eating habits/diet that promotes a limited amount of consumption (or no consumption at all) of these products is one of the best things one can do to reduce personal carbon footprint in the environment.
While vegetarian, or vegan, diets create a more direct impact (due to their no consumption nature), a flexitarian diet would still provide significant benefits to the environment; especially if keeping farmed animal products to a minimum (such as beef, chickens, etc.) and making sure to always buy the organic/grass-fed version of these products. 

Potential Lossing Weight Option

Trying to lose weight, especially after the holiday feasts, is as old as the traditions themselves. But it almost always feels like there’s an infinite number of diets and popular eating plans to choose from! - In this case, the flexitarian diet is considered one of the most popular and realistic ones due to its “hybrid” nature.
For one, the plant-based component of this eating plan encourages people to eat lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains, which contain fewer calories and more macronutrients such as fiber, than most people are accustomed to. This makes the shedding pound process easy to maintain for a longer period of time! -  Additionally, It’s been shown that plant-based eaters often weigh ~ 15 percent less than meat-eaters.

Practicality - It’s An Easy To Follow Option!

There’s nothing more inconvenient than missing dinner with friends because the restaurant chosen does not offer “vegetarian” or “keto-friendly” options! - It’s a real party-pooping situation. One of the major benefits of going flexitarian is the diet's straightforwardness and flexibility lets you enjoy any social environment without having to think too much about what to eat! It also increases the chances of the diet becoming a long-term deal.

It’s no secret that the success of a diet, or eating plan, is directly related to how it blends into a person’s daily lifestyle - because, in the end, we want this new healthier habit to become that: a lifestyle. The flexitarian diet has risen to popularity entirely because of this - We all want to improve our way of living without having to make too many sacrifices. And if there’s an option that allows us to do just that, we are sure to take it! What are your thoughts on this newly popular eating style? Is this something you would try yourself? Head over to our Facebook and/or Instagram and let us know!