Flexitarianism. It’s about saying, “where’s the beef?” but also about having beef with meat.
Also known as semi-vegetarianism, flexitarianism is like being a chameleon food-wise: you’re not a full vegetarian, but you’re still conscientious about the origins of the foods you eat. You might eat only chicken and fish, or you might only eat a meat-based meal twice a week. Basically, your meat intake varies and is often absent altogether.
And if you’re someone like me, flexitarianism is the perfect lifestyle.
I’ve grappled for years with meat eating vs. vegetarianism. Growing up, I knew that I didn’t want to contribute to the harmful environmental impact and animal suffering associated with major industrial farming. I wanted to do something about it, and as a teenager with a vocal distaste for pork chops, I thought becoming a vegetarian was my only possible way.
I didn’t think it would be difficult to skip meat, since I already referred to roast beef as “the feast I can’t stand in the least,” to quote the Grinch. At the same time, I enjoyed and still enjoy sushi, fish, hamburgers, and ham. And when I went to restaurants, I didn’t mind if my pasta had some meat in it or that anchovy paste is covertly hidden in my Caesar salad dressing. I just didn’t want a big honking slab of meat on my plate.
Flexitarianism is an excellent diet precisely because it’s not a diet. It took me years before I realized my finicky tastes for meat are a valid healthy diet, provided I consume all the right nutrients. The first – and only – rule of flexitarianism is to be actively conscious of moderating your meat/animal byproduct intake. Basically, if you occasionally branch away from the standard meat options, then you just might be a flexitarian. (I hope you read that in your best Jeff Foxworthy voice.)
While it is noble to forgo all animal byproducts, it’s highly unlikely that every single person on Earth will drop their meat and cheese for good. That’s why I’m a big fan of flexitarianism. You don’t have to completely rid yourself of animal byproducts to make a difference. The focus is on making more conscientious decisions of what you eat, rather than dictating to yourself what is and isn’t acceptable to eat.
Unless you’re the T. Rex from Jurassic Park that eats lawyers in outhouses, adopting a flexitarian diet is super easy. You might even be doing it right now and not know it! How much or how little animal byproducts you consume depends entirely on you.
With flexitarianism, you can have your steak and eat it too.
