You are what you eat? Well, not exactly, but good nutrition is essential for a healthy lifestyle. There are hundreds of diets out there that come and go in popularity, so it's difficult to know what might work. A ketogenic diet, a Paleo diet, low carb, no carb, gluten-free, vegan, Whole 30 and on and on. It can be overwhelming deciding which way to go, but one option that seems like it could satisfy most is the flexitarian diet. While it's heavily plant-based, with lots of vegetables and fruits, there is an option to have some meat or fish. The emphasis is on what you can have, versus what is not allowed.
A flexitarian diet allows you to choose when to have meat but advises that it should be seen as a treat or a once in a while indulgence. You can designate one or two nights a week as meat days and then try to go all vegetarian for the rest of the week. Protein is required in any diet, so flexitarian dieters look to alternate sources like beans, eggs, dairy or even the exotic jack fruit. While some say it smells like rotting flesh, others find it's a perfect meat substitute for texture and flavor. Finally, to eat like a flexitarian, you need to limit carbs and processed foods. Sure, have some bread now and then, but skip the packaged junk food. Stressing over food isn't part of a healthy way of living, so being a flexitarian could work for those who just need to have a burger once in awhile.
