What do you call a person that sometimes eats meat? A deep dive into flexitarianism

December 15, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a 2021 survey, approximately 13% of people in the UK identify as flexitarian, and the trend is on the rise globally. A person that sometimes eats meat is called a flexitarian, and this approach has become a popular and sustainable dietary option for many. This flexible, plant-focused diet emphasizes consuming a mostly plant-based diet while occasionally incorporating meat and other animal products.

Quick Summary

A flexitarian is an individual who primarily follows a plant-based diet but occasionally includes meat and other animal products, also known as a semi-vegetarian. This article explores the core principles of flexitarianism, its health and environmental advantages, and how it compares to other dietary patterns like vegetarianism and pescetarianism. It also offers guidance on how to transition into this balanced eating style.

Key Points

Definition: A flexitarian is a person who primarily follows a plant-based diet but occasionally eats meat, poultry, or fish.
Flexibility: Unlike strict vegetarianism or veganism, flexitarianism has no rigid rules and allows for personal choice regarding the frequency of meat consumption.
Health Benefits: This diet can lead to improved cardiovascular health, better weight management, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Environmental Impact: By reducing meat intake, flexitarians can help lower their carbon footprint and decrease their consumption of land and water resources.
Transitioning: You can start by designating a few meatless days a week, exploring new plant-based recipes, and gradually rebalancing your plate to prioritize whole, plant foods.
Comparison: Flexitarianism is a less restrictive alternative to vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian diets, offering a middle ground that is easier to maintain for many.

What Exactly Is a Flexitarian?

The term "flexitarian" is a combination of "flexible" and "vegetarian," perfectly describing its central philosophy. It is not a rigid diet but a lifestyle that prioritizes plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, while allowing for the occasional consumption of meat, poultry, or fish. This dietary pattern, also referred to as a semi-vegetarian diet, is appealing to many because it offers the health and environmental benefits of a plant-centric diet without the strict elimination rules of vegetarianism or veganism. There is no official set of rules, and the frequency of meat consumption can vary widely from person to person, based on individual preferences and goals.

The Core Principles of Flexitarianism

Emphasize Plant-Based Foods: The majority of meals focus on whole, unprocessed plant foods. The goal is to fill your plate with a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, which are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Reduce, Don't Eliminate, Meat: Animal products are not banned but are consumed in moderation and less frequently than in a typical omnivorous diet. Some flexitarians might have meat once or twice a week, while others might reserve it for special occasions.
Prioritize Quality: When choosing to eat meat, flexitarians often opt for high-quality, ethically sourced options, such as grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, or free-range poultry. This focus on quality over quantity aligns with both health and ethical considerations.
Limit Processed Foods: Like many healthy eating approaches, flexitarianism encourages minimizing highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars.

Health and Environmental Benefits of Going Flexitarian

Choosing a flexitarian lifestyle can offer numerous advantages for both personal health and the planet. By consuming less meat, especially red and processed varieties, and more plant-based foods, individuals can significantly improve their overall well-being and reduce their environmental footprint.

Potential Health Benefits

Improved Cardiovascular Health: Plant-based diets are naturally lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, helping to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Weight Management: The high fiber content and lower caloric density of plant foods promote a feeling of fullness, which can support weight loss and weight maintenance.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Studies have shown a link between flexitarian diets and a reduced risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer.
Enhanced Gut Health: A higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides essential fiber, which nourishes beneficial gut bacteria and supports a healthy digestive system.

Environmental Advantages

Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The production of meat, particularly red meat, is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing meat consumption directly lowers an individual's carbon footprint.
Reduced Resource Consumption: Animal agriculture requires vast amounts of land and water. A more plant-based diet conserves these natural resources.
Sustainable Eating: By emphasizing seasonal, local, and minimally processed plant foods, flexitarianism aligns with a more sustainable and conscious approach to food consumption.

Flexitarianism vs. Other Dietary Patterns

To better understand the flexitarian diet, it is helpful to compare it with other well-known eating patterns. The main distinguishing factor is flexibility, which is often a key motivator for those who find stricter diets too restrictive.


Dietary Pattern	Key Feature	Allows Meat?	Other Animal Products?	Primary Motivation	Adherence Flexibility
Flexitarian	Primarily plant-based with occasional, moderate meat consumption.	Yes, occasionally.	Yes (dairy, eggs).	Health, environment, ethical considerations, flexibility.	High.
Vegetarian	Excludes all meat, poultry, and fish.	No.	Yes, varies (e.g., lacto-ovo vegetarians eat dairy and eggs).	Ethical, health, religious reasons.	Moderate to High, depending on subtype.
Vegan	Excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and honey.	No.	No.	Ethical, environmental, health reasons.	Very low (highly restrictive).
Pescatarian	Excludes meat and poultry but includes fish and other seafood.	Fish only.	Yes (dairy, eggs).	Health (omega-3s), preference.	Low, stricter than flexitarian.
Pollotarian	Excludes red meat and pork but includes poultry, fish, and dairy.	Yes (poultry, fish).	Yes (dairy, eggs).	Health, preference.	Low, stricter than flexitarian.

Practical Tips for Transitioning to a Flexitarian Diet

Making the switch to a flexitarian diet is about gradual, sustainable changes rather than a drastic overhaul. The flexibility means you can tailor the pace to your own lifestyle and preferences.

Actionable Steps for Adopting a Flexitarian Lifestyle

Start with Meatless Days: Dedicate one or two days a week to being completely meat-free. This helps you get used to plant-based meals without feeling overwhelmed.
Explore Plant-Based Protein: Experiment with different plant protein sources like lentils, beans, chickpeas, tofu, and tempeh. These can be used to replace meat in your favorite recipes.
Embrace New Recipes: Try diverse cuisines that are rich in plant-based dishes, such as Indian dals, Mexican quinoa bowls, or Thai vegetable curries. This keeps meals exciting and prevents boredom.
Rebalance Your Plate: Instead of meat being the main event, make it a side dish or garnish. Build your meals around a core of vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, and add smaller portions of high-quality animal protein.
Focus on Whole Foods: Prioritize minimally processed whole foods over plant-based meat substitutes, which can sometimes be high in sodium and additives.
Stock Your Pantry: Keep a well-stocked pantry with staples like canned beans, whole grains, nuts, and spices to make meal prep easier.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Balance

In conclusion, the term for a person that sometimes eats meat is a flexitarian. This balanced and flexible approach allows individuals to reap the significant health and environmental benefits of a plant-forward diet without the strict limitations of a purely vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. By focusing on whole, plant-based foods while leaving room for occasional, high-quality animal products, flexitarianism provides a sustainable and adaptable pathway to healthier eating. Whether motivated by health, environmental concerns, or simple dietary preference, the flexitarian diet offers a practical and accessible option for those seeking a mindful and varied approach to their nutrition. Its emphasis on gradual change and personal choice makes it a realistic and enjoyable journey for many. For additional mealtime inspiration, resources like Allrecipes and EatingWell offer a wealth of plant-based and flexitarian recipe ideas to help you on your way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The terms are often used interchangeably to describe the same dietary pattern: a mostly plant-based diet that includes occasional meat, poultry, or fish. 'Flexitarian' emphasizes the flexibility of the diet, while 'semi-vegetarian' highlights that it is not fully vegetarian.

Yes, but it's typically in moderation. While the diet doesn't prohibit any specific type of meat, flexitarians often choose high-quality, ethically sourced animal products and consume them in smaller, less frequent portions than a typical omnivore would.

A great way to start is to designate specific days as meatless, such as 'Meatless Monday,' to gradually adjust your eating habits. You can also begin by exploring new plant-based recipes and stocking your pantry with staples like legumes, whole grains, and spices.

Studies suggest that a well-planned flexitarian diet, rich in whole plant foods and lower in red and processed meats, can offer significant health benefits, including weight management and a lower risk of certain chronic diseases. The overall healthiness depends on the specific food choices made.

When reducing animal product intake, it's important to ensure adequate nutrient levels, particularly for nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are more readily available in animal foods. However, these can be managed through careful meal planning, fortified foods, and supplements if necessary.

Yes, a well-planned flexitarian diet provides sufficient protein from a combination of plant-based sources (like beans, lentils, and nuts) and the occasional inclusion of animal proteins. Combining different plant sources throughout the day ensures a complete amino acid profile.

A flexitarian diet can be effective for weight management due to its emphasis on high-fiber, lower-calorie plant foods, which promote satiety. It encourages a shift away from high-calorie processed foods and fatty meats towards more nutrient-dense options.