One of the best things you can do for your health (and the health of the planet) is to adopt a plant-focused diet. If you’re worried about this being too restrictive (or missing meat), a flexitarian eating pattern may be for you.
According to the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Diet Rankings, this semi-vegetarian eating pattern, specifically the one outlined in the book “The Flexitarian Diet” by registered dietitian nutritionist, Dawn Jackson Blatner, came in second healthiest overall (tied with the DASH diet) and was considered among the easiest to follow and most family-friendly.
If you’re actively looking for ways to eat more plants and limit your meat consumption, adopting a flexitarian way of eating is a great way to go. Here’s what you need to know before you get started.
What is the flexitarian diet plan?
A flexitarian eating pattern emphasizes plant foods, such as veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, pulses (beans and legumes) and whole grains, but leaves some room for meat, dairy and other animal foods.
Flexitarian diet health benefits
When you boost your intake of plant foods and reduce your intake of red and processed meats and other less healthful foods, such as heavily processed snack foods, refined grains and sweets, you’ll experience some major perks. Studies have linked a dietary pattern rich in wholesome, minimally processed plant foods with:
You’ll get these benefits because plant foods provide the vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and polyphenols that protect your body and brain from a number of triggers that accelerate disease, aging and mood disorders. More and more, research shows that markers of health improve when you eat more plants and less meat.
These same foods offer environmental advantages as well. Production of meat and dairy foods can drain our natural resources and these foods have a higher carbon footprint compared to plant foods. This means they contribute to climate change, which is hurting our planet and putting…
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