The Flexitarian Diet

The Flexitarian Diet, developed by dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner, is an eating routine that emphasizes plant foods while permitting small amounts of meat, fish, dairy, and other animal products. It advises acquiring most of your protein from plant-based foods.

It depends on your preferences as there is no clear guideline for how much or how frequently you should consume animal products. You're advised to minimize or stay away from added sugars, refined grains, processed meats, and other highly processed foods while consuming the majority of the whole, less processed foods. Observational studies have linked a higher adherence to plant-based diets to a decreased risk of heart disease. A reduction in heart disease risk factors has also been linked to the diet's emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. For people who want the heart benefits of a plant-based diet without having to give up meat and other animal products, the Flexitarian Diet may be a more practical choice than a strict vegan or vegetarian diet.