What is the flexitarian diet for weight loss? All you need to know about the trending diet plan
Flexitarian diet for weight loss. Image credit: Pexels
So, if you've been browsing the internet for the latest news about weight loss, here's one for you. Whether or not you've actually heard of flexitarianism, it's actually gaining quite a bit of momentum due to its very nature, being flexible.
what is Flexible Vegetarian Weight Loss ?
Flexitarian is a combination of the words flexible and vegetarian. Flexitarianism is designed to be a more flexible approach to vegetarianism that allows you to enjoy the health benefits of eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains without giving up meat entirely.
According to an article published in Everyday Health, the flexitarian diet ranked second in various categories, including last year's Best Diets Overall category, Best Diets for Diabetes, Best Plant-Based Diets, and Easiest Diets to Follow category. U.S. News & World Report's 2022 Best Eats Rankings.
How does a flexitarian diet work?
According to the publication, this diet is known to focus more on plant-based foods while allowing a bit of flexibility when consuming meat products, as Dawn Jackson Blatner writes in her Freedom As written in the book The Flexitarian Diet.
While the diet is flexible, there are rules about how much meat you should eat. The book recommends starting with a Beginners Flexitarian diet that includes eating no meat two days a week and eating no more than 26 ounces of meat in total on the remaining days.
Those starting an advanced flexitarian diet must limit their meat intake even more, with the recommendation to be vegetarian three to four days a week, with no more than 18 ounces of meat on the other five days. The last level, Professional Flexitarian, requires five days without meat, but allows 9 oz. I ate meat two days ago. On any level of this diet, your meat-eating days don't have to be consecutive.
What can you eat and what can't you eat on a flexitarian diet?
According to Very Well Fit, foods such as vegetables, fruits, plant-based protein, whole grains, eggs, dairy products, oils, herbs and spices can be eaten in moderation along with meat products. However, it limits intake of excess added sugar and refined carbohydrates.
Benefits of a Flexitarian Vegan
Following this diet can provide you with several health benefits, including:
- better skin health
- proper dose of nutrients
- easy to follow
- improve heart health
- Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
- help with weight loss
Disadvantages of Following a Flexitarian Vegan
- Might be hard to follow for someone who eats meat every day
- Nutrient deficiencies may occur due to reduced intake of meat and other animal products
What are your thoughts on a flexitarian diet for weight loss? Let us know @ZoomTv!
