Any Flexitarians Out There? Raise Your Hands!
November 16, 2008 by Susan Watiker
Filed under Fitness
Well, it’s not earth-shattering news, but apparently, there is a new category for folks who are vegetarians MOST of the time :-) You’re called flexitarians, and around Thanksgiving, I have to admit, I become one of you, too.
In fact, the food industry is targeting these folks, providing vegetarian fare with just a wee bit of protein on the side. Flexitarians could and would be considered vegetarians most of the time. But when a slice of meat or fish passes under their noses, they don’t say no. And restaurants and grocery stores are beginning to package food and menu items just for you!
In truth, a true vegetarian diet can be deficient in protein, iron and essential amino acids. You do have to be vigilant about what you eat to be a successful vegetarian or vegan. So from a nutritional perspective, there is an argument in favor of the “flexitarian” diet.
As someone who practices yoga and meditates regularly, I really do buy into the belief that it is healthier for me spiritually to abstain from meat–although I do like my holiday turkey and fish at times.
Either way, it is kind of an interesting way to categorize the almost-vegetarian person. And here I thought I was just cheating a little. Didn’t know a whole new category was emerging just for me and my comrades :-)
Peace.
I haven’t had meat in over 15 years… dabbled in fish for a while but decided it wasn’t for me. I guess I don’t really miss meat, or even consider it food anymore, so turkey is just not a tempting option. That said, I do have a Tofurkey in the freezer ready to go.
That said, I do think there’s a danger in being too absolutist about things (generally how I feel about being vegan). I think people should just “eat food” and avoid these labels altogether. Why narrow yourself into a corner? Even for me, I think I would eat fish again… but I think I’d want to catch it myself!
“Flexitarian” sounds like an extremely flexible, limber individual, haha ;-)
I guess I am a flexitarian, but I’ve been saying “quasitarian.” I don’t want to call myself anything, really, because placing such a label on myself is just not good for me. I would never want to feel like I am breaking a rule or being bad by eating something I want to eat.
Hand raised! I eat tofu a few times a week and commonly use beans and a whole grain as a protein source (complementary amino acids=a full protein — woohoo!), but on Thanksgiving, you betcha I’m eating turkey. :)
I guess I would be…I eat the occasional fish/chicken/turkey..but no red meat for me!
there’s a great new book out on this called The Flexitarian Diet by Dawn Jackson Blatner – i just read it!
Raises hand.
When I hit a plateau at my final 10# weight loss, my trainer suggested I go flexitarian. I’ve been doing so ever since.
On the days that I do a weight training workout I eat animal protein. On the days I do not (my rest and recovery days), I do not. I get my protein those days from soy and other vegetable sources.
I think clearer, feel better, lost those final few pounds, and have kept them off for nearly a year so far.
Works for me.
*raised two hands*
i love tofu and soy products and rarely eat meat (except for holidays!!)
I haven’t eaten meat since 1985 or fish since 1986 and when I bought my house I instigated the rule that “nothing that used to have a face” could enter.
I guess I became partially flexi when I got married to a wonderful girl who just happens to suffer from being a carnivore. The union just wasn’t going to happen unless I bent my admittance rule. Still don’t eat the stuff myself though.