Healthy Habits: The Flexitarian Diet

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The Flexitarian Diet: Eating Healthy Without Giving Up Your Favorite Foods

Looking for a way to eat healthy without completely giving up occasional indulgences? Say hello to the flexitarian diet – a lifestyle that allows you to enjoy your favorite foods while still keeping your health in check. Here is what you need to know about this increasingly popular approach to eating:

What is the Flexitarian Diet? The term “flexitarian” was coined in 2009 and refers to an eating style that places emphasis on plant-based foods, but with some room for occasionally enjoying more traditionally animal-based fare such as burgers or steak. In other words, it encourages moderation and balance rather than strict rules and restrictions – allowing you to indulge every now and then without completely derailing your diet plan.
Benefits of Going Flexible: There are many benefits associated with the flexitarian diet, including weight loss, reduced risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes; plus, it can also help increase your intake of plant-based nutrient powerhouse like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains!
What Can You Eat? The beauty of the flexitarian diet lies in its flexibility – while there are no hard and fast rules, generally speaking most followers consume mostly vegetarian dishes throughout the week (think tofu stir fry or chickpea curry) with occasional meatless meals sprinkled in (such as bean burritos or vegetable soup). And do not forget about adding healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and avocados into the mix for added flavor and nutrition!
How Much Meat Can You Eat? Studies show those who follow a more flexible dietary pattern consume less red meat than their counterparts on other diets – however it is still possible for flexitarians enjoy small amounts of meat as part of their meal plans if they choose (think grilled chicken breast once or twice per week).
Making Healthy Swaps: Going flex is not just about cutting out all unhealthy foods from your diet – it is also about making healthy swaps whenever possible. For example, using quinoa instead of white rice or swapping out full-fat dairy products in favor of non-dairy alternatives like almond milk or coconut yogurt can help you get the most out of your meals nutritionally!

With its emphasis on balance and moderation – the flexitarian diet makes it easy to stay healthy without giving up all your favorite foods! Ready to give it a try? Get started today by exploring some new recipes online or trying one of these delicious dishes at home tonight!