Flexitarianism, i.e. a flexitarian diet is a diet centred around plant-based foods, while also including, in moderate amounts, food items that come from an animal source such as eggs, dairy products, fish, or meat. This diet allows you to enjoy a broad spectrum of foodstuffs, with a notable preference for plant-based options for most of our meals, with the goal of achieving a more sustainable and balanced diet. In the long term, this flexibility will allow you to stick to your planned diet because it helps avoid the feeling of deprivation that can sometimes accompany restrictive dietary choices.
When it comes to this lifestyle, focusing on variety and striking a balance plays a key role. There are numerous advantages to flexitarianism, since this type of diet reduces intestinal inflammatory processes, which positively affects the cardiovascular system, weight control, blood glucose levels, supports skin and digestive system health, and reduces seasonal allergy symptoms. One of the issues is that a growing number of people have problems with “heavy” food, which is predominant in the traditional diet of our region. We should return to the Mediterranean foods of our climate, considering that the Mediterranean diet remains the healthiest form of nutrition. Recently, it has evolved in a new direction, with an emphasis on plant-based protein.
The plant-based diet, which puts an emphasis on eating whole, minimally processed plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds, can also be effective for weight loss because it is naturally low in calories and rich in fibre. Dietary fibre adds bulk to our meals and provides a long-lasting sensation of fullness, which will prevent overeating and unnecessary snacking.
Despite the fact that the first association when we hear the words ‘plant-based diet’ may be vegetarianism or veganism, it is important to note that flexitarians do not actually want to give up their favourite foods completely. They only strive to reduce, but not completely eliminate, animal-source foods, and their main motivators are the numerous benefits for health and the immune system, as well as environmental benefits.
