Flexitarian...really?

[FrustratedTeddyLamp]

Seen flexitarian a few times now and so off I went to Google which gave me this definition:

Flexitarianism or 'casual vegetarianism' is an increasingly popular, plant-based diet that claims to reduce your carbon footprint and improve your health with an eating regime that's mostly vegetarian yet still allows for the occasional meat dish

So a meat eater? An omnivore am I missing something? This seems stupid to me and just another unnecessary label

Omnivore covers it for me.

I agree it’s really an omnivore

It's just eating, isn't it?

Virtuous twatty omnivore I think.

That's what I am, would never give myself such a wanky label!

It's just a sub group. To me, there is a big difference between an omnivore who eats mostly a plant based diet with a small amount of good quality meat occasionally, and an omnivore who thinks it's not a proper meal without some kind of meat in every dish. Both in terms of approach and in terms of environmental impact

You're not wrong. This shit is getting boring now. Together with all the other labelling nonsense. Just be and do what you want no need to give it a name.

Hahaha! I just read "I'm a flexitarian" on another thread and did a double take until my mind wrapped itself around the concept. Omnivore covers nicely too. Do we all have to have special labels?

@BookkeeperBobby

It's just eating, isn't it?

Exactly! Just eating what you fancy that day

Flexitarian has been around for quite some time. No-one’s expecting you to adopt it as a term.

I am a flexitarian! By choice I'd be veggie but dc love meat and I'd rather cook one meal. I usually go for the veggie option when eating out. My lunches are normally veggie. But if I was going to someone's house for food and they suggested a meat dish I'd go for it because I don't hate meat, just prefer other things. If I have guests I usually offer a meat based and a veggie option. Quite often they ask for the non meat based meal.
I think flexitarian covers it nicely, will eat meat but prefers to have the ability to say no.

I think it's fine. Basically it means they are careful about what and how much meat they eat or that they are trying to reduce meat but are not meat free yet. The whole point of the label is telling people not to assume they'll eat meat. It can be helpful in some contexts when catering.

It's so people with a regular diet can a have special label.

And the guardian can publish wanky recipes that aren't vegan, under their "new flexitarian" heading and still be hip

Ha! I’m probably a classic flexitarian by definition! I eat meat about every two months and it’s gene I find myself really wanting to do so. In between wanting it it’s the last thing I’d eat, in fact I wouldn’t be able to, it just wouldn’t go down.

But I never use that label! I never use the label vegetarian either (because i am not) but people try to foist that label onto me, and then act aghast the day I eat meat! And it’s usually mince/ shepherds pie that I crave. Can’t win!

It's a bit of a wanky name, but it has a function in that lots of people will eat meat/not vegan food regularly - maybe less so at breakfast, but tuna or ham or chicken sandwiches/pasta/salad at lunch, then some form of meat or fish with an evening meal.

So it's trying to capture the idea 'someone who eats meat much less regularly for the purpose of trying to do better by the planet without giving up entirely'. It's shorter than that, at least.

I'm vegan and I don't have an issue with it. Usually whoever uses that term is trying to seriously limit the amount of animal produce they have. Eg only eating meat/dairy in particular circumstances/at particular times. Every little helps!

I agree. Everyone seems to want to make their eating habits special these days. I eat dishes containing meat about once a week and as many veg based things as possible. Why does that need a special name?

@ThinWomansBrain

Virtuous twatty omnivore I think.

Absolutely this, and Absolutely its basically announcing 'I eat food' but with a smug twist to it!

I'm careful about what meat I eat but would just be honest about it and say that I can be fussy.

Honestly I don't care. What you eat is only of interest to me if I'm feeding you. So if you're vegan or vegetarian or coeliac then I need to know.

Telling other people that you don't eat meat very often is just pointless virtue signalling.

So it's not just me! There's been a few times recently where I've heard a few terms and haven't known what they are and felt that my 20s have indeed left me behind.

I see people's distinctions but I still dont really see the need for a distinction, if you're willing to eat meat then you're not a vegetarian/vegan and feel like that covers it. I know a lot of people have meat every meal but there's also a reasonable portion that doesn't

I do this. Well. DD went veggie and unless it is really easy to do 2 versions (1 meat, 1 veggie) we all generally eat veggie. Maybe meat once a week/fortnight now.

I certainly would not call myself anything! That is just wanky.

Isn't it like trying to reduce your carbon footprint to help with climate change, rather than eliminating it entirely by having your electricity cut off, living in a hut you've made from leaves and never travelling anywhere you can't walk to?

Flexitarians eating one less animal-derived meal a month definitely helps.

People eating one less animal-derived meal works too.