"Eat Your Veggies!" Isn't that what your Mom used to say? But there was more. Milk for calcium, meat for protein, fruit to keep you -- well, you know -- lubed. :-)
Researchers tell us that the healthiest diets are primarily plant-based. But yet we might not want to go 100%. It's a bit of an effort to get all your essential nutrients on a full plant-based diet. There are also considerations like what's good for weight loss, availability, and simple preference.
So what's a person to do?
Think flexitarian. Yep, you heard me. Flexitarian.
A flexitarian (turns out this term has been around for a few years, but I just heard it) is someone who eats a primarily plant-based diet, but throws in about 20% meat. I knew there were lots of people doing this (including me), but I didn't know there was a name for it. Go figure!
"I really want to eat healthier," people often tell me. "But I don't know where to start. Plus, I grew up in a meat and potatoes family. I like putting meat on the table."
As I said, think flexitarian.
Now I'm not a nutritionist, so I can't explain all the nitty-gritty of how it works. But since the flexitarian concept is so darned health-promoting, not to mention tasty, I wanted to get you the facts so you can consider its benefits for yourself and your family.
Here is the link to an article on flexitarianism written by a nutritionist: Meatless Meals for Better Health: The Flexitarian Way.
After you've checked out the health benefits, you might just be inspired to consider preparing a few flexitarian dishes yourself. The question is how. After all, even your favorite quirky vegetarian wouldn't be too excited about a steady diet of steamed broccoli.
No problem! Meatless meals aren't your only option - not by a longshot. Another option is to follow the Mediterranian and Asian tradition of using meat more as a garnish than as the main course.
Here is the link to a website filled with ideas for flexitarian cooking: Mediterrasian.com. It'll take you a couple of clicks to find your favorites, but check it out.
The Mediterranian and Asian cooking styles are inspiring, flavorful, and healthy. Plus, when you prepare a dish at home, you have control over exactly what goes in the pan! (Which means that the dish you serve up will never be spicier than you choose, and that you can switch out your favorite veggies for anything you're not sure about.)
Feeling more flexible yet? Great!
Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!
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