One of the things diets excel at is setting up rules.
They tell you exactly what to eat and what’s off-limits (looking at you,keto).
The flexitarian diet, however, skirts those expectationsand that’s why it works.
First, what is it?
The eating style is pro-plants, not anti-meat" she explains.
What are the health benefits of a flexitarian diet?
Pictured recipe:Slow-Cooker Tofu Lo Mein
There’s a reason thatU.S.
(In 2019 it ranked #3 out of 41 diets in both categories.)
That may be because swapping plants for meats helps them eat about300 fewer calories a daycompared to carnivores.
What’s more, it’s good for your ticker.
What are the downsides?
This might also be a departure from how you normally eat.
It’s certainly one that can be overcome, particularly if you pace yourself.
There’s no need to overhaul your diet overnighttake small steps, Blatner urges.
For example, she says, a beginner flexitarian would aim to eat seven meatless meals a week.
That’s just one per day, but you could count breakfast in there too.
What foods can you eat on a flexitarian diet?
The good news here is that you might enjoy all food groups.
you could do this by either swapping meat for plant proteins or by eating a smaller serving of meat.
For more specifics and recipes, check out ourFlexitarian Meal Plan for Beginnersor our Flexitarian Meal Plan for Families.
