Flexitarian=omnivore... That's what people are. Why re-label something that already has a perfectly fine label? Why not say, as we've been saying for years, "Eat more vegetables."?

VERY well said, Ericklas

It's a dumb term. I've been a vegetarian for over 30 years, and there's a certain type of person who always gushes at me that she's a vegetarian too, but eats fish/chicken/beef at Xmas whatever whatever. Yeah. Omnivore.

There is nothing wrong with being an omnivore. Please stop making up terms that confuse people and make them think it's ok to serve chicken to herbivores. The only terms that make real sense are vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore.

Yeah, it's a great IDEA to eat more vegetables and less meat, but would you really tell someone "I'm a flexitarian!" They would probably think you were joking, or making up a new word. I don't think that a new term adds anything here.

Agree, agree, agree! This is just omnivores coming up with a euphemism to make them feel better.

Agreed on the term. But on the other hand, if it takes a trendy name to get this country to wake up and eat a well balanced diet, I don't see the harm!

Flexitarian is latin for pretentious. :-) You're just a person. You wouldn't call yourself a debbietarian if you ate an occasional twinkie, would you?

I cook mostly vegetarian meals because it tends to be less expensive, and I don't care for handling meat. But there are several meat dishes made by my BF, family and restaurants that I really enjoy.

Does this make me a flexitarian or just cheap and lazy?

This doesn't make me a flexitarian. Just lazy.

...seriously? I don't see how creating a term for people who avoid eating meat "doesn't make sense".

Peter Berley wrote a cookbook called "The Flexitarian Table". I've browsed it a few times in the library, and it's a rather clever cookbook of recipes that could be vegetarian/vegan/carnivorous at the last minute- which is great for a mixed household or party.

On the other hand, calling yourself a flexitarian is absurd.

Just another fad designed to sell books, magazines, et al....

Bsmada: because someone who avoids eating meat, but still eats *some* meat, isn't a defined group. There is already a name for people who eat vegetables and dairy and meat; why try to split it up into degrees? Will people who eat meat at home want a different term than people who are vegetarian except for turkey on Thanksgiving?

Count me in as another grumpy vegetarian: I admire "flexitarians" for following a healthier diet, but their insistence on special terms for what is still an omnivorous diet is why I get served fish at dinner parties.

I'm a vegetarian but have always been hesitant to identify myself as such because I think it can be associated with certain negative personality traits. I think that everyone here should relax. Why do you care how people identify themselves? It's not about you.

I've been a flexitarian since before it had a name. I enjoy meat, but will choose vegetarian options (or just a smaller meat v. veggie ratio) about 75% of the time. I am very aware of ensuring that I get sufficient protein by other methods, and it has helped me maintain a healthy weight without issue.

I mainly make vegetarian meals at home because meat tends to be expensive for just one person and I don't have a lot of freezer space to store extra. I'll buy meat if it's on sale at a good price though. I've joked to my mom that I was now a flexitarian but honestly I'm just cheap and trying to stay on budget.

It is kind of a silly term. But I think that, with the way people eat normally in this country, the definition of "omnivore" is pretty skewed to the meaty side of the spectrum. Many people do not feel they've had a proper meal unless there is some kind of meat present. And so, it makes a kind of unfortunate sense that we need a term to differentiate those who don't eat :as much meat: as the typical omnivore.

This brings up a question I have about vegetarians - before I begin, I just want to say, I admire your choice and I don't mean this in any disrespect, but why don't you just eat meat when you're invited to a friend's house? Or eat what's served? Again, I understand your choices, but it just sort of sounds like you make the host/ess go out of their way to make sure your dietary choices are put first. It seems like a lot of hassle - and if they make fish, well, it's already been killed so I'm not sure if I understand the purpose. Again, please don't lash out, I'm honestly just curious about your reasoning. Thanks.

I think as a host it's becoming impossible to have people over - some are vegetarians, some of flexitarians, some are omnivores, prescaratarians...I can't keep up!

Megly, I'd be mortified to learn that a veg*n had put their principles aside rather than tell me they have dietary preferences. Absolutely humiliated, that they assume that I wouldn't take a teeny bit of extra trouble for my guests.
By your reasoning, the eggs have been laid that will be hatched, raised and in the supermarkets as processed nuggets in July. Those birds will have died in vain if we suddenly stop eating chicken, so nobody should ever make a change in their diet.

I always thought it was a silly-sounding term, and I don't know how long the attention will stick around, but I think it's a decent one-word description of the way I eat.

This whole thing is just silly ... where are these people who eat meat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Aren't we all flexitarians? I don't understand why we have to name everything to death. Just eat.

so basically, eat a balanced and moderate diet. hilarious that this is called a new lifestyle

@operagirlcooks I think you nailed the benefit of it. For me, I'm an omnivore who is trying to reduce meat consumption -- so I can see this term being helpful in terms of "framing" my diet.

It's very easy for me to fall back into my meat-heavy thinking when planning meals. But if I'm thinking "flexitarian," it can help reorient my planning around food.

But was it created for that purpose? Eh. Probably not. Probably because we need a new buzzword for food every other week.

I think the label has a certain amount of value.It really is just an omnivore who is trying to tread lightly on the earth.

@megly I think many vegetarians *are* hesitant to make a big splash at a dinner party, and it's tempting to just eat around the meat, etc. Or just eat the fish if it's served to you, I guess. I eat some chicken and fish, but a mostly vegetarian diet (yes, I guess I'm a flexitarian...), and I hate putting people to the extra trouble of making a totally separate dish.

However, when faced with the choice between pasta with pork sugo and nothing, I will choose nothing. Most vegetarians will, depending on their own reasons for eating a meat-free diet. That, too, is embarrassing for dinner party hosts!

But more to the point, everyone eats vegetables. Cooking an extra vegetable dish, or going for something that has a "meat option" (like a salad or pasta dish that can have meat or not), is not actually that difficult. I agree that it's an accommodation that not everyone will be willing to make, but as a host I personally want all the people I invite to be happy and healthy. It's not any different to cooking around a guest's allergies -- and don't those abound these days?

At a recent dinner party, all my guests were meat-eaters except me, but one had a nut allergy, one a peanut allergy and was eating mostly gluten-free these days. I think every host has his or her limits in terms of accommodations and planning, but it really wasn't a big deal for me. The point of having people to dinner is for everyone to have a good time and feel relaxed about it.

re the question at hand...

As others have said, I think the "flexitarian" label is a bit redundant, but perhaps a useful descriptor. If it helps people think about the structure of their own or others' dietary choices, especially the movement away from meat and toward vegetables, great! It's not a label I'll start using for myself, despite it being a pretty good fit.

@Megly, I have been a vegetarian for seventeen years, and I would never eat meat served at someone else's house. On the flip side, though, I would never expect them to make a special vegetarian dish just for me. Certainly it's appreciated if they do, but I usually snack before dining at someone's home or at an unfamiliar restaurant, just in case, and I don't resent anyone for not providing me with special food.

Even if I wanted to, at this point I'm fairly sure I can't digest meat. I accidentally consumed a small amount a couple years ago and had the absolute worst case of stomach upset. I think it's possible that since I became a vegetarian at age six (my choice, my parents eat meat), my body just never developed the proper enzymes? I have no idea if this has scientific backing, but I do know from experience that I can't simply decide to start eating meat at the drop of a hat.

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments - I'm just trying to see from a vegetarian perspective. If I were to host a dinner party, I think I would definitely try and prepare some vegetarian dishes to accommodate people who don't eat meat. I guess here in stereotypical pork-eatin' Iowa, I seriously haven't encountered very many vegetarians. haha maybe I need to expand my social circle.

This calls for another group: grumpy vegetarians.

@Megly, I have been vegetarian for somewhere around a decade and vegan for more than a year now and I rarely have problems with dinner parties. But really, I try to make it as easy for the host as possible. When I am invited I remind them that I am vegan and offer to bring something, so they don't have to fret about me having food. And when I host, I make my normal fare but I also try to incorporate somethings that people are used to eating with whatever dish I make. When I make tacos, I make sure there is some cheese and sour cream (and possibly some meat) because I know that is what people usually have with tacos.

Where I have a problem is picky eaters. People who don't like onions, mushrooms, garlic, beans... that I have a problem with because you are expected to cook around them and with things like beans being in everything I cook makes it insanely hard.

Megly, people are vegetarians for a million different reasons. It may not have to do with animal welfare at all. It could be for health, the environment, religious, etc. Would you expect an Orthodox Jewish person to eat a bacon cheeseburger if it was the only thing at a dinner party?

Like someone here mentioned, most people don't want to make a big stink about being vegetarian at a dinner party but there are plenty of compromises and work arounds. If you're invited to begin with, it's probably because the people know you and you're good friends. Why would you ask someone to eat at your house and totally ignore their needs? I usually bring something everyone can have and an entree for myself. Or if the host is a close friend or family member, they usually know the situation and offer an alternative.

That term has always struck me as a little silly. My husband and I don't eat a lot of meat (1-2 times a week) but I have never felt the need to label us as anything besides omnivore.

Someone called me flexitarian the other day and I found it strange. I am a vegetarian who about 3 times a year will eat shellfish at a special occasion. I became vegetarian because of the obvious health benefits and because I've never really LIKED the taste of meat. I still love shellfish but try to stay away from it because of my overall commitment.
I just think it's snotty to apply all these various labels to people and make judgements about whether or not they're a good enough vegetarian or vegan or omnivore. Get a life. It's just food.

I'm a flexitarian and proud of it!!!

Oh wait, that's right, most everyone is or has been during their lifetime...

I think if the term brings awareness to the fact that meat is not essential at every meal (or every day) I'm all for it. Too many people hear *vegetarian* and freak out that they won't find anything to eat when it turns out lots food they love has been vegetarian and they just didn't realize it!

And if it's purely used in marketing, well, more power to the person who coined the term, I bet they are laughing all the way to the bank, or farm, or butcher shop...

I've been referring to myself as "a pescetarian who makes other occasional exceptions for meat consumption" for a few years. Flexetarian is a actually a much easier way to say it.

Think I'd have to spend more time explaining what a flexitarian is and why there's a special word for it, than just saying 'I prefer vegetables to meat most days.'

I don't call myself a flexitarian, but the first time I ran into the term a decade ago*, I thought "Aha! That sounds about right." (I also thought "Boy, people are going to loathe this word, for no defined reason.")

I don't bother with a term; on the rare occasions when people ask if I eat meat, I just say "Sure, once in a while!" But "flexitarian" sums up my own diet pretty well: I eat a vegetarian diet for almost all of my meals. Every once in a while I eat meat, mostly when a host presents it. (So, to do the math: if I eat three times a day, 365 days a year, that's 1095 annual meals. I'd estimate that 1085 to 1090 of those meals are vegetarian.)

"Omnivore" (as suggested above) isn't a very useful description of this dietary pattern, because "omnivore" suggests no particular preference for a vegetarian diet, while "flexitarian" connotes a preference for vegetarian diet coupled with a willingness to include the occasional meat meal.

*The word has been bouncing around a long time; the American Dialect Society named it one of the most useful words of 2003, and I'd heard it used long before that.

Ouy, the labels! Maybe flexitarian is a silly term, but I think we all agree on the general principle... EAT MORE VEGGIES! :)

I prefer vegan curious

I guess I'm a flexitarian. I just thought I was eating a healthy mix. We do meat maybe 1 time a week, fish 1-2 times, and the rest all veg. Go figure.

I really like the term. Yes, technically "flexitarians" are still omnivores, but I think that the distinction between someone who eats a bit of grilled chicken on their spinach salad and someone who eats a bit of wilted lettuce on their cheeseburger is pretty important.

And, as someone else pointed out, why should it bother anyone else?

I feel stupid calling myself a flexitarian, but it's pretty much what I am. I usually end up calling myself an almost vegetarian, because I eat meat once every month or two. Calling yourself an omnivore just doesn't work when you spend the vast majority of your life eating vegetarian. It also lets a little bit of the pressure off of a host or hostess by letting them know that I'd appreciate it if there are veggie options, but they don't have to go out of their way.

People should be able to call themselves whatever they want to. If you can show up to [house of worship here] only [1-4] times per year on [religious holiday(s) here] and still call yourself a [denomination here]... why can't crappy, lazy, cheaty vegetarians like myself use the term? Whatever. Am I worse than you or are you better than me? I'm pretty okay with not arguing the point, and I support neologisms 100%.

I've been one of "these" for a while now. The only time I've ever used a label is if someone asks if I'm a vegetarian. I respond with tongue firmly in cheek: "Nope. I just prefer not to eat that much meat. I'm a vegepreferian, I guess."

I really don't like the label, but have been eating this way for a while now after being a "real" vegetarian for almost 20 years. Except that I don't eat red meat or pork, only seafood or poultry on the occasion. I once made the mistake of trying to explain this by saying "I don't eat anything with more than two legs." Doh! Raised just a few eyebrows with that remark!

dancedancedj, "vegan curious" truly made me laugh out loud! Thanks for that!

personally I think it's silly and I wouldn't go around calling myself one. I tend to eat vegetarian meals a few times a week because I don't want to cook meat all the time but would I try to label myself something to make it a fad? Nope! Eating vegetables makes me happy and I know they're good for me so until something changes on either of those terms I'll stick to what I'm doing! I sure and not ready to give up a nice steak now and then!

I really don't see the difference between this and being an omnivore. I don't eat meat every day but I don't need to label myself.

Me? I'm a meatatarian!

It is just a buzzword for eating sensibly.

But "sensible" isn't really a word that sells anything, am I right?

I LOVE this term! I teach Ayurvedic lifestlyle and what you are essentially describing is a "Vata" or Wind eating plan that is nourishing and grounding to those who tend to float away! "Flexitarian" is a clever, fun and optimistic way to get people attached to healthy eating! I will be using that word when I teach my Ayurvedic Cleansing Program. Thank YOU!!

We've been cutting back our poultry/meat/fish for awhile now, eating it about once a week, instead of everyday. Has helped improve our overall health and energy.

I understand that some people may find the term a little silly, even my flatmates laugh at me. However, as an individual I may choose to identify myself how I wish and I feel that it describes me very well. I am not a vegetarian, because I don't have a commitment to not eating meet. I am also not like the other omnivores in this country that eat meat 350 days a year and veggies the other 16, I'm quite the oposite. Indeed, I prefer meat with my veggies, not veggies with my meat. I consider my diet a healthy balance between both worlds, in which veggies are and always will be incredibly prevalent. (not to mention veggies rock my world)

My 2 cents

Wow! So many comments! I'm so glad to see so many people comment on this topic! I write a vegetarian blog but my audience is the "Flexitarian" or the "meatless mondayer"...I want to show people how vegetarian diets are just as flavorful (if not more!) without the effort, cost, or health risks of an omnivore/carnivore diet. The word "vegetarian" can be so daunting and intimidating for people who grew up in "meat-eating" homes. Most people were raised to believe that meat is the only way to get your protein. While the word "flexitarian" is a softer word for the same meaning, it's less intimidating. It's the perfect word for those to strive to transition themselves and their families into a more plant-based diet.

I eat veggies and fruits everyday, tofu and eggs almost every day, chicken or turkey every few days, and red meat and seafood once in awhile. I don't care what you call me...just make sure to call me for dinner!

BAM!

I tend to cringe at labels, and the word itself seems a little silly, but this basically describes my family's eating habits: meat maybe once or twice a month. I think that alot of folks are looking to cut down their meat consumption for health/environmental reasons, but don't want to commit to being a 100% vegetarian. So yeah, I'm glad the term is out there to at least encourage folks to gradually do more veggies without feeling like they have to adopt a completely different lifestyle.

Is this not just: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

?

??

Megly,

I have decided to go completely Vegan. We are not such a fringe group as former president Bill Clinton has gone on a completely plant based diet- no dairy etc. He is doing it for health reasons after researching the work of Drs. Esselstyne (http://www.heartattackproof.com/

and Campbell

http://www.thechinastudy.com/

Here is the interview with Clinton

http://www.vegsource.com/news/2010/09/president-clinton-credits-caldwell-esselstyn-md-for-decision-to-go-plant-based.html

Do you think someone would ask Clinton to bring his own potluck or expect him to eat whatever is being served?

I am choosing Veganism both for health and moral reasons.

The term my mom uses for me is a 'functioning vegetarian'. I live with a vegan and a vegetarian, so don't cook with meat very often, focusing instead on healthy, easy, meat-alternatives. But when I go out to eat, I usually get meat.

Funnily enough, my natural eating style is on the "flexitarian" side, but a perhaps a bit too heavy on the french fries :) However for medical reasons I am currently experimenting with the "primal" diet. I am giving it another week before I make a decision one way or the other. Right now, I am leaning heavily towards returning to my "omnivore who doesn't eat lots of meat" ways.

Janis on the Farmette - try "beady eye vegetarian." In other words, you eat things with beady eyes (poultry and seafood), but not things with cute, lashy eyes (cows, etc). :-)

Megly,

I am a Vegetarian and anyone that would invite me to a dinner party (or anything with food) would already know I am a Vegetarian (I don't go to stranger's houses). Therefore, they'd never prepare meat dishes. However, if they did, I'd just eat the side dishes. It's not about "It's there so I'll eat it..".. Whether people don't eat meat for dietary purposes or morals, you don't just give that up because someone presented meat on your plate.
It would be like inviting a friend over that has a peanut allergy and serving peanut butter sandwiches. Would you expect them to still eat it because you made the sandwich?

Great post! I don't eat much meat at home, so I suppose I'm a flexitarian. I also started a cooking blog, http://www.lauranav.com that has a lot of meatless options.

All these diet fads have me laughing. I think they are all based on one thing only - being overly neurotic about food. Eating a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit and going easy on the meat, REALLY chilling out on the salt (and forgetting about those faddish and pricy sea salts! The NEW 2011 RDA is 1500 mg., so tread lightly with the salt shaker!), preparing food with a light hand and not overcooking it, and cooking at home sensibly is all you need to know or do. Vegan this and voodoo that leaves me cold. No one needs a vegan diet unless they have Celiac Disease or a TRUE allergy (real, documented symptoms proven with medical tests). The rest is hypochondria, IMHO.

I think there's slightly more to this supposed "fad" than is being said in that article.
I don't think it's a fad- when I first saw things about flexitarianism 4 years ago, I thought it was a perfect way to describe my way of eating.
Both my parents were raised in predominantly vegetarian households. As a result, we eat meat maybe once a week or twice at the most. However, now, when we eat meat or fish, it tends to be either free range or sustainable.
I suppose it is a subset of omnivores, but more than that it is the intersection of omnivores and fussy eaters.