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

I also found that these exist:-
Meatitarian
Carnitarian
(Not sure if I’ve spelt them right)

And - my favourite - cheagan - a vegetarian who sometimes cheats! 🤣

Overall, I’ve decided there’s far too many labels for everything (yes, LBGTQ+ community, I’m looking at you…) and the world has gone a bit mad…

Isn't it someone without the will power to be properly vegetarian?

@Cbes

It’s a term that’s been used since at least the 70s, so all of the “these days” comments are a bit amusing.

All two of them?

"it distinguishes from a person who would be put out if the meal didn't have meat"

No it doesn't.

@carefullycourageous

I think it is fine, it distinguishes from a person who would be put out if the meal didn't have meat, so it is quite useful when catering.

People who perceive it as 'virtue signalling' are being twats IMO, it is just a fucking word.

So unless you only eat meat once a week, or once a month, or whatever someone has decided is the 'acceptable' consumption, you're the type to be put out if a meal doesn't have meat??

It's in-group signalling.
It tells you nothing about any other omnivore's frequency of eating meat or whether they'd be put out by there being no meat.

@timeforteaforyouandme

Isn't it someone without the will power to be properly vegetarian?

No. I don't want to be vegetarian. I enjoy eating meat sometimes. But I make a conscious effort to eat mainly plant based.

Think of it as similar to social smoker or social drinker. It's just a useful description, that someone is almost entirely veggie or vegan but they're not religious about it and if someone bakes them a gorgeous cake they'll probably find it hard to resist. I call myself mostly vegan because 99% of the time I am, but if I've walked 5 miles to a cafe that says online it has vegan options, then doesn't, I will have a bloody scone.

So it basically means "I eat meat sometimes", like omnivore does.

Oh no, I need to tell my 82 year old mum that she's actually a flexitarian after years of thinking she's a normal eater. I hope she doesn't have an identity crisis. That could be very tricky at her age.

@sessell

Think of it as similar to social smoker or social drinker. It's just a useful description, that someone is almost entirely veggie or vegan but they're not religious about it and if someone bakes them a gorgeous cake they'll probably find it hard to resist. I call myself mostly vegan because 99% of the time I am, but if I've walked 5 miles to a cafe that says online it has vegan options, then doesn't, I will have a bloody scone.

Having a "bloody scone" is taking your acceptance of no vegan option to a whole other level.

Omnivore with added virtue signalling.
I prefer to define myself as a Human Dustbin.

Flexitarian can’t be a thing surely?! Absolutely ridiculous. You’re either veggie, vegan or neither. Heard it all now.

I’m a vegetarian: for me this indicates someone who is happy to have a majority of meals as vegetarian/vegan, maybe some fish

Won’t have a heart attack at being served lentils: all good in my view

@kittensinthekitchen

So it basically means "I eat meat sometimes", like omnivore does.

No no no you've got it wrong. Omnivores eat meat for every meal. They are most put out if they don't get a big hunk of meat with their dinner.

Flexitarians are not like those cavemen. They won't get cross if you serve a veggie lasagne

Just remembered another one 🤣
Pollotarian - eats chicken but no red meat or pork

Ridiculous amount of labels… glad most of them aren’t commonly used!

Also I’m vegan. I don’t eat non vegan food- if none is available I won’t have ‘a scone’ because I don’t eat dairy. Even if you eat 99% plant based and have the odd non vegan snack, you are vegetarian if anything

@DespairingHomeowner

I’m a vegetarian: for me this indicates someone who is happy to have a majority of meals as vegetarian/vegan, maybe some fish

Won’t have a heart attack at being served lentils: all good in my view

Nope you're a flexitarian honey

All two of them?

@kittensinthekitchen I don’t really understand your point. About half the replies on the thread (so more than two) are people complaining that this is a newly made up term. It isn’t.

@DespairingHomeowner

I’m a vegetarian: for me this indicates someone who is happy to have a majority of meals as vegetarian/vegan, maybe some fish

Won’t have a heart attack at being served lentils: all good in my view

You're not a vegetarian if you eat fish

I disagree.

This is basically a vegetarian who will have the odd meal with meat in it. Vastly different to an omnivore who eats mostly meat day to day.

I don’t label myself but if I did, I’d be a flexi I guess. I eat vegan most of the time but like once every 3 months I might have a burger or a hotdog or something.

I’ve taken it to mean’ Mostly I don’t eat meat but if you’ve cooked for me I won’t embarrass you by making an “ I’m a vegetarian” fuss’ .

@AlternativelyWired

Oh no, I need to tell my 82 year old mum that she's actually a flexitarian after years of thinking she's a normal eater. I hope she doesn't have an identity crisis. That could be very tricky at her age.

🤣

Just curious (and making a big assumption here) but I bet she thinks she is a woman too? - statistics suggest she is probably a cis-woman too - break it to her gently 🤣 @AlternativelyWired

@VoodooBadger

I guess vegans will come in handy when we run out of meat and all the omnivores start going insane, we can eat them.

So just a person who eats everything and forgoes that sausage one day a week.

Time to stop using stupid labels on everything.