Vegatarian-ish? This Study Finally Defines the Flexitarian Diet

A new study has defined the flexitarian diet as one that involves eating meat, dairy, eggs, or seafood at least once a month, but less than once every week. The study, published in the Nutrients journal, found that flexitarianism emerged in the early 2000s and gained mainstream popularity with the release of Dawn Jackson Blatner’s book, The Flexitarian Diet. The researchers noted that while there are various terms used to define flexitarianism, the key criteria involve reducing meat intake without completely eliminating it.

The study also reviewed national dietary guidelines from 42 countries and found that while none explicitly mention a flexitarian diet, many do support the idea of reducing red meat consumption. Some countries, such as Sri Lanka, Germany, and Spain, have dietary recommendations that align with flexitarian principles. Overall, the study suggests that more countries are recommending limiting meat and dairy intake in favor of plant-based foods, reflecting a growing trend towards flexitarian diets worldwide.