The expression ‘we are what we eat’ is not just an expression but a reality. There is a relationship between diet and disease.
Some people believe it’s healthier to be vegetarian. But being vegetarian doesn’t mean you have to eat only vegetables. There is also the choice of flexitarian and pescatarian. The Pescatarian is the self-proclaimed vegetarian who abstains completely from meat but eats fish. While the Flexitarian is the term coined to describe those who eat mostly vegetarian but occasionally eat meat.
The word Flexitarian was originally coined in a magazine review of a new restaurant who described their offerings as ‘flexitarian’; a menu that was leaning towards vegetarianism but with a hint of animal protein. Although this term is recognized in the dictionary, it isn’t recognized by most vegetarian groups. The idea that a person can be called a vegetarian who eats meat sometimes appears to be paradoxical.
There is a substantial percentage of the current population that would like to lean towards vegetarianism but is willing to eat small amounts of meat, fish or poultry. Using this definition everyone SHOULD be a flexitarian since the recommended serving of meat is 2-5 ounces 2-4 times per week. The recommended daily allowance of protein is 40-60 grams per day depending upon gender and body size. This protein comes from dairy, fish, eggs, meat and nuts.
When Flexitarians make the decision to eat meat it is often for social or nutritional reasons. For example a Flexitarian may eat only a vegetarian diet at home but eat meat at friends and families homes.
Possible Problems with Meat
If you are a Flexitarian for health reasons and you eat meat, you may want to consider eating organic meat. Factory farms treat animals poorly, crowding them very close together which can cause illness. The animals are given antibiotics to treat and prevent their diseases and are injected with growth hormones to fatten them up quickly. These antibiotics and hormones remain in the animal and eventually they end up in your body.
There is no definite evidence that the chemicals in meat are harmful to humans, but if you don’t want to give up meat entirely, you might consider more natural meats. That way you won’t have to worry if evidence comes out later that the meat your consuming is harmful. By then it may be too late for people that consumed it for years!
The same problem holds true for animal products, such as eggs, milk, butter or cheese. Since it is better to be safe than sorry, you might want to give organic meat and natural animal products a try.
Part-time vegetarians have definately had a huge effect on the food industry. An increase in offering soy milk and veggie burgers are up in grocery stores, Wild Oats or Whole Foods are also springing up to meet the needs of consumers. The impact of this movement has also affected the print media as publishers of previously pure vegetarian foods are starting to include recipes with some meat products.
Choosing to turn to a healthier vegan diet isn’t always possible for people to achieve, so the occasional serving of meat can give you a healthier diet during the remainder of the week. It would seem that Flexitarians are gaining a foothold in the dietary landscape.
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