With the world reeling from frightening climate crisis predictions, animal welfare violations and medical warnings, dietary choices are being given more and more weight. In the last few years, both in Lithuania and in other countries, the flexitarian diet has rapidly become popular. What makes her so attractive?
"It can be said that the essence of flexitarian nutrition is encoded in the name itself - it is flexible vegetarianism (flexible + vegetarian = Flexitarian). It is characterized by an abundance of plant products and only occasional dishes of animal origin. In other words, flexitarians do not give up meat, cheese and other animal products, but they consume them quite rarely," explains Meda Šermukšnė, head of the animal welfare organization "Gyvi gali".
Flexitarianism has no strict guidelines - it's more of a lifestyle than a diet. When choosing this diet, it is customary to eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Since meat, dairy products or eggs are not consumed, the main sources of protein are plant-based foods: beans, chickpeas, lentils, tofu, various seeds and nuts. Also, flexitarians try to avoid highly processed products, added sugar and prefer natural, healthy products.
Food choices that change the world
The negative impact of the food industry on the climate has been talked about for a long time. Here, for example, in Europe, 10 % of greenhouse gases are produced in agriculture. Almost 70 % of this amount is accounted for by the livestock sector, the majority of which is allocated to industrial cow farms. In response to the impact of food on the climate, the European Commission has developed a strategy "Farm to Table" (English From Farm to Fork), which will aim to create conditions for transition to a more sustainable EU food system in the next decade. One important part of this strategy is encouraging people to eat more fruit and vegetables and less meat. And this is the basis of flexitarian nutrition.
Flexitarianism focuses on the consumption of vegetables, fruits, vegetable proteins and fats - the principles of a healthy diet that it recommends World Health Organization. Along with regular exercise, this way of eating helps prevent obesity, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
The most significant change, of course, would be the reduction of animal products for the animals themselves. By Animal Charity Evaluators investigation according to their 2018 an estimated 772 billion were killed. Meanwhile, one plant-based dieter did not contribute to the killing of 105 animals in the same year.
"The transition to a completely plant-based diet would significantly contribute to solving the pressing problems of today. However, change does not happen overnight and is best achieved gradually. "Flexitarianism could be a good intermediate stop on the way to changing nutrition," M. Šermukšnė shares her thoughts.
Summer is a great time to try a flexitarian diet
When practicing a flexitarian diet, a variety of plant products will ensure good well-being. The summer season in Lithuania is really pampering. It is the season of radishes, peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, various berries, fruits and many other goodies. You can easily find some of these products in stores all year round, but they should be eaten in the summer. The reason is simple - the seasonal harvest is richer in its nutritional value. Naturally ripened fruits and vegetables retain more vitamins, minerals and other substances necessary for the body. In addition, it has a richer smell and taste.
