Everyone wants to get fit for 2021 and while some people will go down the route of exercising more to boost metabolism, others might try dieting to lose some weight. Deciding on which diet to try next in the never ending battle to lose belly fat is not easy, especially because there are too many of them, all claiming to be the best solution for weight loss. In this article, we'll focus on one of the newer approaches, the flexitarian diet, which is touted to be great for the body and the planet, too.
• What is testosterone: MD explains all commonly asked questions about the T hormone
And to make sure we tell readers the naked truth, we asked an expert, Charlotte Bierens, Head of Nutrition at nutritionally-complete meal brand Jimmy Joy, to clarify some of the most often asked questions about the flexitarian diet. Is it actually good for long weight loss? What are the pro and cons of the flexitarian diet? What foods to avoid?
Interested in dieting?
- Keto diet guide
- Keto vs low carb diet
- Intermittent fasting guide
- Vegan diet guide
- Paleo diet guide
- Best pre- and post-workout meals
IMPORTANT: Please be extra careful when trying a special diet, especially if you have a history of eating disorders and/or struggled with obesity before. Should there be any doubt, please always consult a medical professional before starting a diet. Especially calorie-restricted diets can be detrimental to health and slow down metabolism, which might cause long-term health issues. Please be careful and sensible.
Jimmy Joy Plenny Pot v1.0, 6 meals (2,400 calories) | Buy it for £19.28 directly from Jimmy Joy
The Jimmy Joy Plenny Pot v1.0 is the perfect mid-afternoon snack or even meal when you're on a flexitarian diet. It's completely vegan, high in protein (20 grams per serving), low in saturated fat and high in omega and fibre plus it contains all 26 essential vitamins and minerals! Try them today.
What’s flexitarian diet
As Charlotte explains, "the flexitarian diet promotes a vegetarian diet while allowing animal products occasionally." It's good for the planet as people on flexitarian diet consume less meat (especially red meat) and more plant-based products, meaning the carbon-footprint is smaller.
The flexitarian diet is the best of both worlds as it offers a solution to one of the biggest concerns in veganism (e.g. vitamin deficiency), all the while not overdoing meat consumption for the sake of it. By eating meat occasionally, people on a flexitarian diet can ensure they supply their bodies with all the nutrients it needs to function properly, without supplementation.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
- Best protein powder – both whey and vegan
- Best jerky – beef and vegan varieties
What are the pros of the flexitarian diet?
Charlotte likes to emphasise the social benefits and the – err – flexibility of the flexitarian diet: "With the flexitarian diet, people can reap the benefits of a plant-based diet but also enjoy animal products occasionally or in social events. There are no rigid rules."
A 2016 meta-analysis examined the correlation between vegetarian diets and weight loss and concluded by saying that "vegetarian diets appeared to have significant benefits on weight reduction compared to non-vegetarian diets", with most significant results achieved by people on the vegan diet. The research paper notes that long term trials would be needed to asses the longevity of the weight loss progress but it's a promising result nevertheless.
Another benefit of the flexitarian diet is its flexibility, compared to other diets such as keto. By not forcing the body (and mind) to adhere to a restricted diet, people on flexitarian diet might not over-consume food and therefore manage their weight more easily.
Barebells High Protein and Low Carb Bar, Box of 12 | Buy it for £22.89 at Amazon
Barebells' Vegan Protein Bar is free from palm oil, 100% vegan, contains 15 grams of protein per bar and it is just so delicious. Vegan protein bars are not always famous for their great taste and texture but the Barebells Vegan Bar is the exception to the rule.
What are the cons of the flexitarian diet?
"Because there are no rigid rules, there might be a lack of awareness about the replacements required to obtain all nutrients", Charlotte explains, "If it is not well-planned, there might be deficiencies of B12, zinc, iron, calcium, and omega-3."
As in most cases when it comes to dieting, the best results are observed when the right balance of macros and micronutrients are achieved: not having meat with every meal is already a big step towards sustainability, there is no need to completely remove meat and dairy products from diet for the sake of it.
NOCCO Zero-carb Caffeinated Drink, Limon Del Sol Flavour, 12 pack | Buy it for £23.34 at Amazon
One can of NOCCO contains five different types of Vitamin B (folic acid, niacin, biotin, B6 and B12) as well as Vitamin D. The caffeinated range of NOCCO contain 180mg of caffeine and 3000mg of BCAA, whilst the caffeine-free range contain 5000mg of BCAA. All flavours are free from sugar and sweetened with sucralose.
Can the flexitarian diet help long term weight loss?
A flexitarian diet might support a weight loss process. This happens because there is a decrease in processed, high-calorie foods and an increase in vegetables, fruits and whole foods. "With a well-planned flexitarian diet, it is possible to get all the nutritional requirements while keeping the cholesterol and saturated fats low", Charlotte concludes.
What food should you eat MORE when on a flexitarian diet?
- Legumes such as lentils, peas, chickpeas and beans are a great source of carbohydrates, protein and fibre.
- Wholegrain foods, including barley, brown rice, buckwheat oatmeal etc.
- Starchy foods are also a good option in moderate quantities. Potatoes shouldn't be shunned from the diet completely as they have a range of health benefits, especially sweet potatoes
- Fruits and vegetables are an obvious choice for flexitarians but make sure not to include loads of non-fibrous fruits in the diet as they may spike insulin levels.
- Nuts and seeds are a great source of protein and healthy fats
What food should you eat LESS when on a flexitarian diet?
- Processed meats are to be avoided in every type of diet as they may contain additives and most usually these products are also saturated with sugars/salt too
- Refined carbs tend to be digested quickly when consumed causing a spike in blood insulin levels. For the same reason, refined carbs will make people hungry sooner than fibrous food that takes longer to digest
- Added sugar is bad. Full stop.
- Fast food might be a convenient but it is also usually over-portioned, high in bad fats, has loads of salt in it and it generally contains little to no micronutrients
This is part of T3's Fit for 2021 programme, which will be running throughout January. We aim to bring you tips on diet, lifestyle and exercise that will help you shape up for what is certain to be a difficult year. One thing we can guarantee: it WILL be better than last year. And hopefully we'll help you get the most out of it.
Matt Kollat is a journalist and content creator who works for T3.com and its magazine counterpart as an Active Editor. His areas of expertise include wearables, drones, fitness equipment, nutrition and outdoor gear. He joined T3 in 2019. His byline appears in several publications, including Techradar and Fit&Well, and more. Matt also collaborated with other content creators (e.g. Garage Gym Reviews) and judged many awards, such as the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance's ESSNawards. When he isn't working out, running or cycling, you'll find him roaming the countryside and trying out new podcasting and content creation equipment.