Everything you ever wanted to know about the flexitarian diet

The Flexitarian Diet, founded by dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, is exactly what it sounds like: flexible and mostly vegetarian. Rather than avoiding complete food groups altogether, Blatner recommends eating more meals filled with whole grains, legumes, fruits, veggies, and nuts. The term “flexitarian” has been around since the 1990s and was named The Most Useful Word of 2003 by the American Dialect Society.

Blatner describes the Flexitarian Diet as the “mostly vegetarian way to lose weight, be healthier, prevent disease and add years to your life”—and there’s evidence to support that claim. People who eat a largely vegetarian diet tend to have a lower risk of many chronic conditions, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Whether you’re already flexing, interested in cutting back your animal protein consumption, or you want to know more about the concept, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of this diet, discover recipe ideas, and more.