I get a lot of questions whether or not I follow a particular diet or lifestyle, that being Vegetarian, Vegan, etc. My family and I follow a more Flexitarian Lifestyle. The Flexitarian diet is one that encourages mostly plant-based foods while allowing meat and other animal products in moderation. It is more flexible than fully vegetarian or vegan diets.
The Flexitarian diet has no clear cut rules it is much more of a lifestyle than a diet. This lifestyle is based on five principles:
- Eat mostly fruits, vegetables, legumes, lentils and whole grains
- Focus on protein from plats instead of animals
- Be flexible 😉 Incorporate meat and animal products from time-to-time
- Eat foods in their most natural form
- Limit added sugar and sweets
If you’re looking to add more plant based foods into your diet but do not want to completely eliminate meat then the Flexitarian lifestyle may be for you! It truly is a great choice for individuals looking to eat healthier without sacrificing.
Sample Flexitarian Meal Plan for One Week
These are ideas for you to begin a Flexitarian diet
Monday
Breakfast: Sourdough Bread with avocado and poached eggs
Lunch: Fully loaded bowl: brown rice, beans and vegetables
Dinner: Grilled wild-caught salmon and sautéed rapini
Tuesday
Breakfast: Coconut based yogurt with chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and organic blueberries
Lunch: Spinach salad with wild caught salmon (leftover from last night’s dinner), avocado – dressing: olive oil, seal salt and apple cider vinegar
Dinner: Quinoa and vegetable stuffed red bell pepper with a side salad
Wednesday
Breakfast: Sautéed spinach topped with over-easy eggs (yolk runny)
Lunch: Teff flour wrap with hummus, cucumbers and avocado
Dinner: Lentil soup with vegetables
Thursday
Breakfast: Smoothie made with unsweetened almond milk, spinach, almond or cashew butter, pumpkin seeds and organic blueberries
Lunch: Quinoa salad with vegetables topped with crumbled goat or sheep feta
Dinner: Roasted chicken with roasted cauliflower and green beans
Friday
Breakfast: Steel cut oats with organic berries, banana and ground flaxseed
Lunch: Roasted chicken (leftover from last night’s dinner) in an oat flour wrap topped with avocado and spinach and a side salad
Dinner: Black bean burger with sweet potato wedges and a salad