Flexitarian Diet

1. Ethics

This is the main reason most people want to reduce the number of animal products and meat consumption from their diet. The meat and dairy industry are quite notorious for the mistreatment of animals. Even if some practices are considered “humane”, the animals are still being slaughtered or exploited whether they’re being pampered or not! Although you won’t be withdrawing your custom completely from these industries, eating less meat means you will be creating less demand by being on a flexitarian diet. If you only ate dairy, egg, meat, or poultry meals for only 1 day a week instead of 7, that’s an 85% decrease in the demand you create. If everyone went on a flexitarian diet, this would dramatically affect demand and the industries’ practices. 2. Environment

The meat and dairy industry are also starting to draw a lot of concern due to their impact on the environment. Infamously, the creation of grazing grounds for beef cattle has been a big concern contributing to 80% of Amazon deforestation. In recent years deforestation for soy, production has also become an issue, especially as 80% of soybeans end up as feed for beef cattle. And that’s just one area of the meat industry! 3. Health

Saturated fat has been traditionally seen as a major detriment to our health, is said to cause heart disease and high cholesterol. Meat contains a lot of saturated fat. However, as more and more evidence comes to light, a more complicated picture is starting to emerge. The negative effects of refined sugar and salt in our diet are also being placed under more scrutiny as a result. Therefore, a flexitarian diet can also help prevent or control type 2 diabetes. 4. Weight Loss

When it comes to wanting to lose weight, a flexitarian diet is actually a viable option. US News, which comprehensively ranks popular diets each year, rates a flexitarian diet as 3rd best diet in the world. Its research shows that flexitarians are 15% slimmer than meat-eaters, and their life expectancy is 3.5 years longer on average.

5. Money

Food prices are rising around the world. But vegetables are still generally cheaper than meat. So not only is switching to a more plant-based meal plan healthier, but it’s also easier on your bank balance.