The Flexitarian Diet for Weight Management

Many people are turning to the flexitarian diet for weight management and optimal health. Flexitarians typically weigh about 15 percent less than people who eat meat, as well as having a lower risk for health conditions such as heart disease. Flexitarians also lived about four years longer or more and have minimal risk for cancer. The word flexitarian is a combination of flexible and vegetarian. The flexitarian diet is mostly a vegetarian diet, but flexitarian still enjoy a burger every now and again.

Becoming a flexitarian is basically about changing the major protein sources in one's diet. Replacing animal meat for "new meat". "New meat" includes:

• tofu
• beans
• lentils
• peas
• nuts
• seeds
• eggs
• dairy that is high in protein such as yogurt or cottage cheese

The flexitarian diet should also include other food groups such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy. Flexitarians also set a target to eat five meals a day, and do not skip meals. The five meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks. The flexitarian diet typically follows a 3-4-5 outline, meaning a breakfast of 300 calories, a lunch of 400 calories, and a dinner of 500 calories. Two snacks should be incorporated into the day, each snack about 150 calories. Your total calories on the flexitarian diet should be about 1500. Although, 1500 depending on your statistics can be subject to change.

What is the likelihood that you will lose weight? People choose the flexitarian diet because vegetarians who tend to eat as few as 1500 calories tend to experience weight loss. So yes if you follow the flexitarian regimen you should lose weight and have a lower BMI (body mass index). Flexitarians who eat a majority of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains tend to be full on fewer calories and don't even necessarily need 1500.

Many people who have health conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are all great candidates for the flexitarian diet. Research shows that plant-based diets such as the flexitarian, keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check and are a good treatment for heart disease. The reason for this is because plant protein has less fat and lower cholesterol than animal protein, and plant protein is higher in fiber.

Many people who try the flexitarian diet, find it so easy to adopt and adapt to. People with health conditions who've tried the flexitarian diet have been able to stop medications and live a healthy normal lifestyle. Flexitarians also tend to be more happy and more motivated people because their food tends to be free of hormones. There are no serious risks or side effects associated with the flexitarian diet, but if you have a major health condition you should talk to your doctor.