Nowadays, people are aware of the importance of having a more sustainable lifestyle to safeguard the environment. For this reason, they are embracing more a plant-based diet, changing their eating habits, and becoming flexitarian. So, who is a flexitarian? Flexitarian is a person who eats a mostly vegetarian diet, occasionally including meat.
In recent years the strong shift towards an animal-free diet has been driven by the increasing concern over the environmental impact of the agricultural industry. The flexitarian trend has been encouraged by movements like Veganuary and meatless Mondays.
In the UK, one in three (34%) deemed themselves as flexitarian in 2018.* In 2019, the global vegan meat market reached a record USD19.5 billion in sales and is predicted to grow to USD24.3 billion by 2026*.
5 reasons driving the flexitarian trend
A more balanced and flexible diet
Having a number of meat-free days a week will encourage a more balanced lifestyle. When deciding to choose a healthier diet it is easier to commit to being a flexitarian than to being a vegetarian. It allows more flexibility, and the gradual change can be easier to maintain. In this way, it is quicker to improve health and wellbeing.
Eat something new
Trying new foods could be an interesting, and positive experience. We need to eat every day, and there are many new options, so the menu should not be monotonous. Experimenting with cooking new recipes as well as trying new dishes in restaurants is a good starting point.
More plant-based products are now accessible
Many brands are launching delicious plant-based alternatives to compete with their famous meat options. Food engineers are working more than ever to create incredible plant-based alternatives with the same amount of proteins, an amazing taste and delicious texture, and an affordable price.
Innovation at the forefront
This new era is about changes. Tofu, salad, and seitan are no longer bland words. Food innovation has reinvented the plant-based world, improving nutritional value, and creating new indulgent flavours. Combining the best ethically resourced ingredients with less carbon print is a new way forward.
A better world
Food is a key factor to reduce climate change. Plant farming has less impact on the environment as livestock farming uses a lot more food, water, energy. Therefore becoming vegan or vegetarian helps to sustain this cause.
It is well known how much the cattle contaminates compared to other edibles. Reducing meat consumption will not only improve people's diets but also would contribute to animal welfare.
Giving up meat is not very easy, but if we start to reduce it and replace it with plant-based alternatives is not impossible. Becoming flexitarian is a more sustainable option, and it will lead to the introduction of healthier lifestyle.