To think ‘Flexitarian’ isn’t hypocritical?

[MotherOfDragons90]

My DH and I have been gradually phasing meat out of our daily lives. For environmental and financial reasons. I’m not finding it difficult to not eat meat day to day, but I refuse to cut it out completely. I will still enjoy a cheeseburger at bonfire night, roast lamb at MILs on the odd Sunday and a nice steak on our anniversary.

I said to my DSis today (who is a full vegetarian) that I think our balance works well and if everyone did the same it actually might make a difference environmentally, and for animals. She is adamant that it makes no difference and I’m just a hypocrite who may as well eat meat all the time.

It’s really got my back up because I feel like I’m genuinely doing my bit and she’s just stamped all over it! Am I being a hypocrite?!

I'm doing the same thing OP. We have vastly reduced the amount of meat that we eat. DP only eats meat outside of the home. We do have sustainable fish. If I want meat, I'll have it but it's maybe once a fortnight if that.

‘Flexitarian’ is a ridiculous, meaningless term.

If you choose to eat meat, you’re an omnivore, irrespective of how much or how little you consume.

The label's wanky but you only used it for the thread so that's good. As a 30+ year vegetarian I would prefer you to not eat meat but a vegan would take me to task and I would counter with food miles.
Every day you restrict your impact is good. I don't agree that unless you can do 100% you should do nothing.

Why does everything need a label?

The only thing wrong is applying a label. Not everything needs a label or an identity.

I try and have at least two meals per day veggie. Usually just have meat for dinner.

Also trying to eat less meat, more veg.

Meat is so dear, too.

I'm a livestock farmer and flexitarian - i only eat meat i know. It isnt the amount you eat but the source that will make a difference to the environment (dont forget you need to pay as much attention to how your crops are produced also for this) because not all meat is bad ecologically and some can outstrip any crop for eco credentials.

Not being perfect isn’t the same as being hypocritical. You’re doing your best.

I’m vegetarian and dislike the flexitarian term though - it’s pointless and vegos don’t need anymore pressure to eat meat ‘just this time’ or ‘just this little bit’. You’re an omnivore, you eat everything, you’re trying to reduce the amount of meat you eat for environmental reasons.

Definitely the way to go, OP.

I love vegan/vegetarian food. I always try to eat it when I’m cooking for myself. It’s healthy for me and it’s good to know I can do my tiny bit for the environment. I try to encourage my family, but with mixed results.

But I do like burgers, roasts and seafood. And will still consume them
Every so often. I don’t feel that I need to have a label, I’m not a label seeker, I’m just a greedy bitch who likes hummus and sometimes a big fat Burger King. I just do what I do and don’t really care what others think.

In fact perhaps I’m a Nofuxitarian????

Why do you need to tell anyone what you eat unless they’re feeding you?

It’s seems very attention-seeking.

And anyone who comes out with bullshit like “vegetarians don’t have the commitment to be vegan” can do one. Anyone who isn’t vegan doesn’t have the commitment, not just vegetarians.

Being a 'flexitarian', not unreasonable at all.
Using the word 'flexitarian' in a sentence, very unreasonable
Lecturing others about how superior your diet is, and how much more virtuous you are as a result of it, extremely unreasonable.
That goes for both you and your sister.
Eat what you bloomin' want. Don't tell others what to eat.

Please don't use the term flexitarian (new one to me) in real life. There are still plenty of people who don't understand the difference between a pescatarian and a vegetarian resulting in the assumption that fish is an acceptable meat alternative for veggies, this term isn't going to make it better.

YANBU to eat what you like, but as you're still a standard omnivore, please don't try to make it sound like something else.

Wrong to use the term, just say you only rarely eat meat.

You are completely reasonable in what you are doing - but you are completely unreasonable to call it a particular name. You are cutting down on meat- which is good for you and good for the planet. But you are not following a particular diet that has a name.

I love vegan/vegetarian food

So do I, but I just call it food.

You eat a normal, omnivore diet.

It doesn't really need a label (that no-one will understand unless you write a paragraph about ).

Quicker and easier to say and much clearer to say 'we eat less meat these days' or 'I think I'd like the vegetarian option today'

So you're just eating a pretty normal diet then with meat occasionally like most people? It needs a special name?

Yes- I do wonder why people say they “love vegetarian food” It’s very strange. As if “food” all has meat in it.

Reductarian is even more stupid than Flexitarian. Surely a joke?

“Quicker and easier to say and much clearer to say 'we eat less meat these days' or 'I think I'd like the vegetarian option today'

Why do you even need to say that?

The label's wanky

I only tend to eat meat, once a week and just call it food.

Your veggie friend is being ridiculous

"Why do you even need to say that?"

I don't think I've ever said the first, and the second only when ordering food.

But I'm not the OP, and she does seem to talk about her diet. It's nit exactly an off-limits subject

YABU to call yourself a flexitarian but YANBU for having a mixed diet that means you eat meat less regularly.

Well done OP, every little helps. We don't describe ourselves as "flexitarian" but we started doing Meat Free Monday a couple of years ago and now as a family have probably 2 meat free days a week. It's not hard at all.

But I have no desire to go the full veggie. And definitely not vegan.