There are no restrictions, just enjoyment and portion control. The flexitarian diet comes from the word flexible and vegetarian. Imagine being free to enjoy animal products while increasing the amount of plant-based food you eat.
The flexitarian diet has been around for quite a while; however, only a few people know about it. You do not have to give up meat entirely in this diet, but you can limit the amount of animal products and processed food eaten. In this blog, we will explain the flexitarian diet, its benefits, and how you can start following it.
The flexitarian diet is primarily plant-based, meaning you eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. However, you can still have meat and other animal products sometimes. The main idea is to eat less meat and more plants, but you don’t have to give up meat entirely.
Flexitarian diet benefit
The flexitarian diet has many benefits for your health and the environment.
It improves heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. It is also suitable for weight control and reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer.
A flexitarian diet is good for the environment because it lowers the carbon footprint, reduces the production of meat products, leads to less pollution, and limits the use of resources like land and water required for animal farming.
Why do people go flexitarian?
There are many reasons why people can choose to go flexitarian. One of the most important features of this diet is its flexibility. It is also easier to follow compared to strict vegetarian and vegan diets.
Many people confuse a flexitarian diet with a pescatarian diet. A pescatarian is a vegetarian who consumes only fish products; however, a flexitarian is a vegetarian who consumes all animal products in a limited quantity.
Another reason why people follow the flexitarian diet is because it is easy to merge it into a lifestyle. You can adjust it based on your preferences and cultural demands.
How to be a flexitarian
It is straightforward to follow the flexitarian diet. Follow these steps for an easy transition:
- Choose one or two days each week to go meatless. You can slowly reduce the number of days to go meatless.
- Introduce new plant-based recipes into your meal plan. You can start by adding salads, beans, and smoothies to your diet.
- Stock your kitchen with nuts, beans, fruits and veggies.
Flexitarian food list
Frequently asked questions:
If you are interested in following the flexitarian diet, here are some answers to questions you might have.
What does a flexitarian eat?
Flexitarians can eat whatever they want; however, they limit the number of times they eat meat in a week and focus on eating more veggies and beans.
How many times a week does a vegetarian eat meat?
Most flexitarians eat meat twice a week, but no strict restrictions exist.
Can flexitarians eat pasta?
Yes, they usually opt for whole-grain foods.
The best Moi-moi recipe
I love the flexitarian diet. One of my favorite things to eat is beans. I love beans in every form and there are so many ways to cook it. You can fry, make pudding with it, make soup, and cook it.
One of my favorite ways to prepare beans is moimoi. It is a delicious and fluffy bean pudding. I am grateful you read this blog so I want to share my recipe for making moimoi. My grandma taught me this recipe; I remember our conversations in the kitchen while we were making moimoi back in the day. I didn’t change anything in the recipe because it is so perfect.
So here we go:
Ingredient:
- 2 cups Black-eyed Beans
- Blender
- 3 Red peppers
- Two onions
- Spices for taste
- Fish
- Eggs
- Prawns
- Plastic bags, cups, or ramekins
Directions:
- Remove the back from the beans
- Blend the beans with onions, red pepper, and prawns
- Boil the fish and eggs with salt and some spices
- Debone the fish and remove the shell from the eggs
- Cut the eggs into quarters and shed the fish
- Add the blended beans into a bowl, add the shredded fish and some spices, add a little oil, and stir
- Boil some water in a big pot
- Add blended beans in ramekin or small plastic bags and then put them in the hot water
- Leave it to steam for about 40 minutes
- Keep checking to see if there is enough water in the pot
Summary
The flexitarian diet offers a flexible and balanced approach to healthier eating. By focusing on plant-based foods while still allowing for occasional meat and animal products, you can enjoy various delicious meals that benefit your health and the environment. Starting with minor changes, like incorporating meatless days and trying new recipes, can make the transition more accessible and enjoyable. Embrace the flexitarian diet and discover how small changes in your eating habits can improve your overall well-being.
Thank you for reading this blog. Would you be trying my moimoi recipe to boost your progress toward following the flexitarian diet?
MABS 
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