**Definitions and Varieties of Flexitarianism:**
– Flexitarianism defined by various sources, including Natuur & Milieu, I&O Research, and Voedingscentrum.
– Definitions range from abstaining from meat one or more days a week to not eating meat but consuming fish regularly.
– Other related dietary patterns include demitarianism, pescetarianism, pollotarianism, macrobiotic diet, and the planetary health diet.
– Semi-vegetarians and flexitarians primarily consume plant-based foods but may include meat or fish occasionally.
– Flexitarianism gained popularity in the 2010s and is listed in dictionaries like Merriam-Webster.
**Statistics and Trends in Flexitarianism:**
– In the Netherlands, the proportion of self-proclaimed flexitarians increased from 14% in 2011 to 43% in 2019.
– In 2015, 55% of Dutch people were identified as flexitarians by Voedingscentrum, and 67% were flexitarian in 2016 according to Natuur & Milieu.
– The proportion of Dutch individuals consuming meat daily decreased from 26.7% to 18.4% between 2010 and 2012.
– Globally, about 14% of the population is estimated to follow a flexitarian diet.
– In the UK, there was an increased demand for vegan products in 2018, with 12% of consumers following a meat-free diet.
**Motivations for Choosing Flexitarianism:**
– Reasons for adopting a flexitarian diet include religious restrictions, health concerns, animal welfare, and environmental considerations.
– Flexitarians are motivated by health benefits, humanitarianism, and animal welfare concerns.
– Choosing flexitarianism can be a conscious decision driven by ethical, health, and environmental factors.
– Motivations for flexitarianism include concerns about animal welfare, environmental sustainability, weight management goals, and health consciousness.
– Social trends and media influence have also played a role in the growing popularity of flexitarianism.
**Health Benefits and Environmental Impact of Flexitarianism:**
– Health benefits of flexitarianism include reduced risk of chronic diseases, lower body weight and BMI, improved heart health, better blood sugar control, and enhanced overall well-being.
– Environmental impact of flexitarianism includes decreased greenhouse gas emissions, reduced water and land usage, mitigation of deforestation, preservation of biodiversity, and contribution to sustainable food systems.
– Flexitarianism offers health and environmental benefits, making it an attractive dietary choice for many individuals.
**Society and Cultural Aspects of Flexitarianism:**
– In the UK, there was a significant following for flexitarianism, with an increased demand for vegan products in 2018.
– In Canada, 10% of adults identified as vegetarians or vegans in 2018.
– Flexitarianism has been criticized by some vegetarians and vegans for consuming animal flesh.
– The flexitarian diet has the potential to save lives and feed 10 billion people sustainably, addressing global food challenges.
– Flexitarianism advocates argue for its ability to support sustainable and healthy eating habits on a global scale.
The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (May 2022) |
A flexitarian diet, also called a semi-vegetarian diet, is one that is centered on plant foods with limited or occasional inclusion of meat. For example, a flexitarian might eat meat only some days each week. Flexitarian is a portmanteau of the words flexible and vegetarian, signifying its followers' less strict diet pattern when compared to vegetarian pattern diets.