Currently there are many diets, but very few are healthy or can be maintained over time. There is no perfect diet, but there are variations that bring us closer to perfection. For example, the flexitarian diet is supported by many doctors and throughout this text we will understand why.
We are going to know what a flexitarian is and the differences that exist with the rest of the vegetable diets, such as vegans and vegetarianism, although we must not forget that within the vegetarian diet there are several subgroups. Well, being a flexitarian is within vegetarianism, but not within any of those subgroups, but rather apart.
What is a flexitarian?
In a few words and so that it is clear and we all understand it, a flexitarian is a person, man, woman, elderly or child, who eats a practically vegetarian diet. That is to say, a vegetable diet almost entirely, only sometimes, for the reason that he believes, by principles, by necessity, by adaptation, etc. he decides to break that vegetable diet and eat eggs, milk, meat, fish, etc.
In other words, a flexitarian is a flexible vegetarian. Let us remember that within vegetarianism there are several subgroups, since the flexitarian diet could be a subgroup halfway between being a vegetarian and not being a vegetarian.
Later we will see the exact differences with other vegetable diets, but something that we must clarify is that in the flexitarian diet there are no great restrictions beyond those that each one wants to impose. It is a very flexible diet that allows us to eat properly, as long as we do it with fresh, healthy food and with a lot of variety.
Can anyone be?
Of course yes, anyone, adult, elderly or child can follow a healthy flexitarian diet. This type of diet provides us with the necessary nutrients for the normal functioning of the body.
In case of having certain heart diseases, a vegetable diet and very low in sugars, fats, meats, salt and others, promotes good health, lowering cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure, regulating blood sugar, satiating more , losing weight, improving mobility and bone health, etc.
In the event that there is a health problem that prevents us from eating some type of fruit, vegetable, legume or cereal, we only eliminate it from the diet, period.
Differences with vegan and vegetarian
The flexitarian diet, it has already become clear that it is a vegetable diet, but flexible in which foods of animal origin can be introduced when you want, as you want, in the quantities you want, etc. A diet that allows us to acquire nutrients that, otherwise, as being vegan, for example, would be difficult.
Vegans have a very restrictive diet that does not allow food of animal origin, not even honey or eggs. A diet with certain deficiencies and deficiencies such as vitamin B12, which must be supplemented.
Vegetarians, on the other hand, are divided into several subgroups, for example, strict vegetarians are practically vegans, then there are flexitarians who make swings in their diet according to preferences, cravings, needs, etc. and then there are several small groups according to the food that is allowed.
For example, ovolactovegetarians, are those who base their diet on vegetables, but eat eggs and dairy. Another group are the pescetarians, who eat fish and shellfish. There are also ovovegetarians who consume eggs and lactovegetarians who consume milk and dairy products.
Let’s not forget those who eat meat. They are either divided into a single group that is sometimes confused with flexitarians or is also known as pollotariano or chicken vegetarianism, who eat chicken and turkey, but not red meat.
Are there prohibited foods?
Technically, being vegetarians, the only thing off limits is animal foods, including honey, but since they are flexible vegetarians, It is up to each one where to place their limits and what to accept and what not to accept to eat.
Thus, there are no prohibited foods, except those that each one wants to put on the prohibited list. As we have seen before, there are several subgroups, so depending on what food we restrict in our daily diet, so will our label as a vegetarian. If the restrictions are flexible and we can change them according to needs, then we are flexitarians.
We can ban those that do us harm, for example, red meat is more than proven to be related to some types of cancer and malignant tumors. We can also avoid the consumption of foods with saturated fats such as industrial pastries or foods with palm oil, since thousands of hectares are subtracted from the Amazon every year. Apart from foods that cause harm to our body, for example, in the case of being celiac, diabetic, having heart problems, etc.
allowed foods
In the same way that there are no forbidden foods, there are allowed foods. That is to say, everything we can and want to eat is welcome. That yes, if every day we eat meat, eggs, milk and products of animal origin, we are not really flexitarians, we only have a normal diet like any person.
To be a flexitarian, or to consider ourselves within this classification, you must have a minimum, that is, have a plant-based diet every day, and maybe eat some meat at a social event, because there is no vegan option on the closed menu.
The basis is to have a plant-based diet and then, sporadically, open ourselves up to other foods out of necessity or whim, such as a mixed sandwich, an ice cream shake, grilled chicken, prawns and seafood at Christmas, etc. As long as it is sporadically and due to specific needs or something similar.