The Flexitarian Diet

Skylar Fox

It can be daunting when faced with the terrifying effects of climate change. Seemingly, every single thing we do as humans results in some form of damage to our planet, which leaves many of us jaded and unsure of what we could really do to make much of a difference.

Science has presented us with the idea that a meatless diet is a great place to start. Greenhouse gas emissions, massive amounts of water waste, and deforestation are just the tip of the iceberg for agriculture based pollution. But with only around 5% of Americans identifying as vegetarian as reported by Gallup, it’s unrealistic to expect an entire generation to drop meat altogether. 

For some, income levels and food deserts (areas with extremely limited access to affordable fresh foods) can make it nearly impossible. For others, restricting their diet and eliminating foods can be uncomfortable and obsessive to those struggling with eating disorders.

However, a ‘flexitarian’ diet may change the game. The term refers to following a lifestyle of primarily plant-based foods - fruits, veggies, nuts - and reducing the quantity of animal products consumed. It’s customizable and ultimately just encourages you to slow down on the amount of meat you eat every day, whether that’s starting with one veggie meal a day, or perhaps only one meal with meat a week.

Everyone can be a little more flexitarian in their daily lives, in comparison to the perhaps daunting and sometimes inaccessible vegan diet. 

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Some ideas you could try out:

1. Replacing your 2% milk with oat, almond, or soy milk

2. Throwing plant protein in your salads instead of chicken, like nuts, chickpeas, mushrooms, or edamame

3. Trying meat substitutes - Beyond Meat, tempeh, tofu, veggie burgers

4. Exploring cultures that are heavily plant-based, like Indian and Ethiopian dishes

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It’s always easier to make changes in your life surrounded by support. Inviting your friends over to cook a veggie based meal together or hosting a potluck could be loads of fun and an opportunity to try something new. On top of its environmental impact, it’s just healthy as hell to eat more plants. So, try saving steak for that special occasion!