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Flexitarianism: isn't it just vegetarianism with cheating? Flexitarianism: isn't it just vegetarianism with cheating?
(about 1 hour later)
Age: Late teens – it was first coined in the mid-90s.Age: Late teens – it was first coined in the mid-90s.
Appearance: A solitary pack of bacon in a fridge full of beans and tofu.Appearance: A solitary pack of bacon in a fridge full of beans and tofu.
What's flexitarianism, then? It's flexible vegetarianism.What's flexitarianism, then? It's flexible vegetarianism.
As in only eating bendy vegetables? Yes, you've cracked it.As in only eating bendy vegetables? Yes, you've cracked it.
Really? No, of course not. Flexitarians – also known as veggie-vores – eat mostly vegetarian meals but make time for a big, juicy steak or a smoked salmon bagel when they feel the urge.Really? No, of course not. Flexitarians – also known as veggie-vores – eat mostly vegetarian meals but make time for a big, juicy steak or a smoked salmon bagel when they feel the urge.
So basically they're vegetarians with benefits? If you like, sure, or veggies on flexi-time. Think of it as clock-in, clock-out system: a six-day working week of healthy, morally upstanding veggie living, and then a Sunday roast.So basically they're vegetarians with benefits? If you like, sure, or veggies on flexi-time. Think of it as clock-in, clock-out system: a six-day working week of healthy, morally upstanding veggie living, and then a Sunday roast.
And what are they up to, these flexitarians? They're expanding. Food trends analysts are predicting a "50% increase" in vegetarianism in 2013, and a similarly startling rise in the number of flexitarians.And what are they up to, these flexitarians? They're expanding. Food trends analysts are predicting a "50% increase" in vegetarianism in 2013, and a similarly startling rise in the number of flexitarians.
Why? Because of the McCartneys, of course. Well, them, rising meat prices and an increasingly compelling moral and environmental argument.Why? Because of the McCartneys, of course. Well, them, rising meat prices and an increasingly compelling moral and environmental argument.
What are the McCartneys doing? Popularising mild flexitarianism as an alternative to the stringent demands of full-on veggie-ness with their "Meat-Free Mondays" campaign, a shelf-load of books and a forthcoming television ad.What are the McCartneys doing? Popularising mild flexitarianism as an alternative to the stringent demands of full-on veggie-ness with their "Meat-Free Mondays" campaign, a shelf-load of books and a forthcoming television ad.
Aren't flexitarians just trying to have their beef cake and eat it too? Well, yes. But good flexitarians do try to make sure their occasional pound of flesh is ethically sourced and environmentally friendly, and, statistically, from the perspective of, say, a chicken, a flexitarian still poses far less of a threat than a full-time carnivore.Aren't flexitarians just trying to have their beef cake and eat it too? Well, yes. But good flexitarians do try to make sure their occasional pound of flesh is ethically sourced and environmentally friendly, and, statistically, from the perspective of, say, a chicken, a flexitarian still poses far less of a threat than a full-time carnivore.
I'm not sure many chickens really appreciate the statistical argument. True that. But that doesn't it make it a bad one. Plus there's also the argument that flexitarianism serves as a valuable gateway diet, ushering the half-hearted towards not only vegetarianism but its many and varied cousins, such as pescetarianism (fish and veg) and veganism (no meat, milk, eggs or vegetables picked by animals). I'm not sure many chickens really appreciate the statistical argument. True that. But that doesn't it make it a bad one. Plus there's also the argument that flexitarianism serves as a valuable gateway diet, ushering the half-hearted towards not only vegetarianism but its many and varied cousins, such as pescetarianism (fish and veg) and veganism (no meat, milk, eggs or anything that uses animals in its production).
So what's freeganism then? That's eating discarded food. Often from bins.So what's freeganism then? That's eating discarded food. Often from bins.
Ah. I think I'll stop at flexitarian. Probably wise.Ah. I think I'll stop at flexitarian. Probably wise.
Do say: "I'll start with Meat Free Monday."Do say: "I'll start with Meat Free Monday."
Don't say: "I wish it was Free Meat Monday."Don't say: "I wish it was Free Meat Monday."