FLEXITARIAN SCHOOL Lesson 1: Flex 101

August is back to school month so we are going back to school to learn all about the Flexitarian Diet. 

FLEX SCHOOL SYLLABUS
It’s a 5-Part Series…
Week 1: Flexitarian 101
Week 2: Flex Foods: What do you eat?
Week 3: How to Build a Flex Plate
Week 4: Flex Meals & Swaps
Week 5: Common Flex Mistakes & Fixes
Get excited! This is gonna be fun!

LESSON 1: FLEXITARIAN 101
WHAT IS THE FLEXITARIAN DIET?
A flexitarian = flexible vegetarian. 
Flexitarians (like me!) eat mostly plants, but still eat some meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, and fish.

Being a flexitarian is good for someone who wants the health benefits of eating plant-based, without having to follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet.

I wrote The Flexitarian Diet in 2009 to show the world that flexibility makes it easier (and more fun) to be a vegetarian.

U.S. News & World Report ranks The Flexitarian Diet the #2 diet plan for improving overall health. And #1 for weight loss & diabetes.

WHY SHOULD YOU FOLLOW A FLEXITARIAN DIET?
Compared to other eating styles, Flexitarian diets tend to be higher in:
gut-friendly fiber
vitamins & minerals
beneficial phytochemicals

Flexitarian BENEFITS include:
weight loss
decrease risk of diseases such as heart disease, cancer, & diabetes
longevity

You’ll learn a lot over this next month, but if you’re excited to start flexing ASAP…
Here are 3 quick starter tips:
1. Reportion your plate.
Instead of cutting out meat/poultry, just cut down the amount & add more vegetables.
2. Make protein swaps.
Swap out meat/poultry sometimes & swap in beans or lentils. Think lentil tacos instead of beef or edamame stir-fry instead of chicken.
3. Test new recipes.
Try one new vegetarian recipe each week. At the end of the year, that’s 50+ new veggie meals (and some will be so good they’ll end up in your regular rotation.)

Happy Flexing!! And stay tuned for next week’s FLEX SCHOOL for my big list of WHAT TO EAT on the Flexitarian Diet.