Food Philosophies: Flexitarian

A flexitarian, as far as I can tell, is like a vegetarian with a get out of jail free card when it comes to meat. The word itself is a melding of “flexible vegetarian”, and the term comes from dietician Dawn Jackson Blatner. The main goal is to cut calories by eating a mainly plant-based diet, but not to cut out meat entirely. Foods Included: plant-based foods, “new meat”; tofu, lentils, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, and eggs, minimal meat, whole grains, dairy, sugar and spice. Foods Excluded: nothing is off-limits, but meatless 3-4 days a week is considered an “advanced flexitarian” Possible Benefits: -       weight loss is the main goal, and becomes more attainable -       fairly easy and straightforward with lots of options -       no indication of health risks -       keeps cholesterol and blood pressure in check -       could prevent or help control diabetes Possible Drawbacks: -       does not guarantee weight loss, calories are still calories, and donuts are meat-free, so… -       no strict guidelines for those looking for a more rigid diet   Recipe To Try: Egg-In-A-Hole, Black Bean Quinoa Enchilada Bake   Sources: http://www.webmd.com/diet/flexitarian-diet http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/flexitarian-diet http://nomeatthisweek.com/what-is-a-flexitarian.html/