The flexitarian diet is a plant-forward diet that incorporates dairy and eggs and a small amount of meat from time to time.
With an emphasis of consuming mostly plant based foods and limiting intake of animal products and animal-based foots, the diet has many health benefits without requiring a strict compliance to only eating plant based foods.
It's similar to a semi-vegetarian diet because you're eating less meat and focusing on vegetables. It's better for your overall health and lowers your risk for certain diseases. You also aren't eating processed foods and saturated fats, but rather focusing on healthy fats which decreases risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and heart disease.
What is a flexitarian diet meal plan and some dietary guidelines?
A flexitarian diet meal plan is a flexible diet that is vegetable forward while limiting the amount of meat. Because there is a wide range in the types of flexitarians and is a flexible plan in general, it's a bit difficult to define.
It also depends on the individual and how they want to structure it. However, generally speaking a flexitarian diet elicits tons of health benefits because it's based on eating more plant-based foods.
Broad categories of foods to eat on a flexitarian diet meal plan
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Nuts and Seeds, Chia Seeds
- Eggs
- Whole Grains (Quinoa, Oats, Wheat Bread)
- Limited amount of meat, seafood and poultry
- Tofu, Tempeh, and Seitan
- Soy Milk
- Olive oils
1 Week Meal-Prep Plan for a Flexitarian Diet:
Below is a 7 day flexitarian meal diet plan that is made with simple ingredients and whole foods. Focused predominantly of plants, these meatless meals will make you feel healthy and energized.
Day 1
Breakfast
- Sliced apple with almond butter
Lunch
- Veggie and hummus sandwich on whole wheat bread
Snack
- Frozen grapes
Dinner
- Greek salad with 2 oz piece of baked salmon, baked sweet potato
Day 2
Breakfast
- Veggie omelet
Lunch
- Garden salad, side of beans
Snack
- Dry roasted almonds and 1 orange
Dinner
- Veggie lettuce wraps, brussel sprouts
Day 3
Breakfast
- Greek yogurt with nut butter
Lunch
- Greek salad with edamame and brown rice
Snack
- Carrots and hummus
Dinner
- Vegetable soup with winter squash
Day 4
Breakfast
- Hard boiled egg and banana
Lunch
- Roasted chickpeas and vegetables
Snack
- Raspberries
Dinner
- Gazpacho and lentil soup with roasted cauliflower
Day 5
Breakfast
- Scrambled eggs with fruit
Lunch
- Lentil Soup
Snack
- Popcorn
Dinner
- Vegetable flatbread
Day 6
Breakfast
- Muffin tin omelets
Lunch
- Stuffed vegetable bell peppers
Snack
- Lettuce cups with veggies
Dinner
- Tomato soup with whole grain bread
Day 7
Breakfast
- Avocado toast
Lunch
- Stuffed mushrooms
Snack
Dinner
- Vegetarian chile
Bottom Line
If you're looking to eat healthier and a more plant-based forward diet with minimal meat, then the flexitarian meal plan is for you. If you're going to indulge in a tiny amount of meat, our Old Fashioned Original is ideal because it contains clean ingredients.