What is a Flexitarian Diet?
Article Sources
- 1. 'It's Time to Try Meatless Meals.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 20 Aug. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/meatless-meals/art-20048193
- 2. Derbyshire, Emma J. 'Flexitarian Diets and Health: A Review of the Evidence-Based Literature.' Frontiers in Nutrition, Frontiers Media S.A., 6 Jan. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5216044/
- 3. 'Flexitarian Diet and Weight Control: Healthy or Risky Eating Behavior?' Frontiers, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2018.00059/full
- 4. 'Flexitarian Diet: Flexible Approach to Focusing on Plant Foods.' American Institute for Cancer Research, 30 Apr. 2021, www.aicr.org/cancer-prevention/food-facts/flexitarian-diet/
- 5. Ritchie, Hannah, et al. 'Potential of Meat Substitutes for Climate Change Mitigation and Improved Human Health in High-Income Markets.' Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, vol. 2, 2018, doi:10.3389/fsufs.2018.00016
Environmental Concerns
People choose plant-based diets for a number of reasons, including health and environmental concerns. Agriculture produces approximately 25 to 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, and livestock accounts for almost half.5Ritchie, Hannah, et al. ‘Potential of Meat Substitutes for Climate Change Mitigation and Improved Human Health in High-Income Markets.’ Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, vol. 2, 2018, doi:10.3389/fsufs.2018.00016
Some researchers estimate that global meat consumption will increase by 70 to 80 percent by 2050. This will make it hard to meet goals in the UN Paris Agreement. A flexitarian diet may help reduce an individual's carbon footprint. Even small per capita reductions add up quickly if many people become flexitarians.5Ritchie, Hannah, et al. ‘Potential of Meat Substitutes for Climate Change Mitigation and Improved Human Health in High-Income Markets.’ Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, vol. 2, 2018, doi:10.3389/fsufs.2018.00016
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