What Do You Call Someone Who Only Eats Meat Occasionally? Meet the Flexitarian

December 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2021 survey, 13% of the UK identifies as flexitarian, a modern term for someone who only eats meat occasionally, prioritizing a plant-based diet while retaining the flexibility to include animal products in moderation. This adaptable eating style has become a popular and sustainable choice for those seeking a balance between vegetarianism and an omnivorous diet.

Quick Summary

A person who eats meat occasionally is a flexitarian or semi-vegetarian, following a flexible, plant-focused diet. This eating pattern emphasizes whole plant foods while allowing moderate consumption of meat and other animal products for a balanced approach to nutrition.

Key Points

Flexitarian Defined: A person who eats meat occasionally is known as a flexitarian, combining flexible eating with a mostly vegetarian diet.
Semi-Vegetarian Synonymous: The term 'semi-vegetarian' is also commonly used to describe the same flexible, plant-focused eating pattern.
Health and Environment: The primary motivations for a flexitarian diet often include improving personal health and reducing environmental impact.
No Hard Rules: Flexitarianism is characterized by its adaptability, with no strict rules on how much or how often meat can be consumed.
Focus on Plants: The central principle is increasing the consumption of plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and legumes, while treating animal products as an accent.
Nutrient Awareness: People adopting this diet should pay attention to nutrients like iron, B12, and Omega-3s, which are often abundant in meat.
Gradual Transition: Starting with a few meatless days per week is an effective strategy for transitioning to a flexitarian lifestyle.

Understanding the Flexitarian Diet

In recent years, the word "flexitarian" has entered the mainstream to describe a semi-vegetarian eating pattern. The term was popularized by dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner in her 2008 book, The Flexitarian Diet. It is a mashup of the words "flexible" and "vegetarian," perfectly capturing the essence of the diet: mostly plant-based, but with the occasional inclusion of meat, poultry, or fish. Unlike strict veganism or vegetarianism, there are no rigid rules, and the frequency of meat consumption is up to the individual. This makes it an accessible and less restrictive option for people who want to reduce their meat intake without eliminating it entirely.

The Core Principles of Flexitarianism

The philosophy behind this diet is to focus on adding more healthy, plant-based foods to your diet rather than obsessively restricting animal products. A flexitarian plate typically consists of the following foundational food groups:

Fruits and Vegetables: Emphasis on a wide variety to provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Whole Grains: Such as quinoa, brown rice, oats, and whole-wheat bread, for fiber and complex carbohydrates.
Legumes and Pulses: Beans, lentils, chickpeas, and tofu are primary protein sources.
Nuts and Seeds: For healthy fats and additional protein.
Healthy Fats: Including olive oil and avocados.
Animal Products in Moderation: Lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy are consumed occasionally, not as the main focus of a meal.

Motivations for Adopting a Flexitarian Diet

People become flexitarians for a variety of reasons, blending personal health goals with ethical and environmental concerns.

Health: Many studies show that plant-based diets offer significant health benefits. They are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Eating more fiber and less saturated fat supports better overall health.
Environment: Reducing meat consumption, particularly red meat, has a substantial positive impact on the environment by lowering your carbon footprint and conserving resources.
Ethics and Animal Welfare: For some, it's a way to reduce their support for intensive animal agriculture without the pressure of total abstinence. They can prioritize high-quality, ethically sourced animal products on the rare occasions they choose to eat meat.
Budget: Plant-based foods like legumes and grains are often more affordable than meat, which can lead to significant cost savings on grocery bills.

Flexitarian vs. Other Dietary Lifestyles

Understanding how flexitarianism compares to other diets helps clarify what it is and is not. It’s important to remember that all flexitarians are technically omnivores, but not all omnivores are flexitarians, as the latter has a conscious focus on plant-based eating.


Dietary Pattern	Description	Meat Consumption	Dairy/Eggs	Seafood
Flexitarian	Primarily plant-based with occasional animal products.	Consumed occasionally and in moderation.	Yes, in moderation.	Yes, occasionally.
Omnivore	Consumes both plant and animal products regularly.	Consumed regularly, often as a meal's focus.	Yes, regularly.	Yes, regularly.
Vegetarian	Excludes meat, poultry, and fish.	Never.	Yes (Lacto-Ovo). No (Vegan).	Never.
Vegan	Excludes all animal products and by-products.	Never.	Never.	Never.
Pescatarian	Excludes all meat and poultry but includes fish.	Never (except fish).	Yes (Lacto-Ovo).	Yes, regularly.

Tips for Transitioning to a Flexitarian Diet

Making the switch can be simple and enjoyable. Starting gradually is often the most sustainable approach.

Embrace Meatless Mondays: Designating one day a week for plant-based meals is a simple way to start. As you get more comfortable, you can increase the number of meatless days.
Focus on Plant-Based Proteins: Experiment with beans, lentils, tofu, and chickpeas to find new favorite meals. These can be excellent and filling replacements for meat.
Use Meat as a Condiment: Instead of making meat the centerpiece of your plate, use small amounts for flavor. For example, add a small amount of lean, high-quality chicken to a veggie-heavy stir-fry.
Explore New Recipes: The internet and cookbooks offer a vast array of delicious plant-based and flexitarian recipes to keep your meals exciting and prevent boredom. Here's a guide from the American Heart Association on eating more plant-based foods.

Potential Nutritional Considerations

While the flexitarian diet is generally very healthy, it requires mindful planning to avoid potential nutritional deficiencies, especially if you were previously a heavy meat-eater. Key nutrients to monitor include:

Iron: Plant-based sources of iron (non-heme iron) are less easily absorbed than heme iron from meat. Pairing iron-rich plant foods like lentils and spinach with vitamin C-rich foods can enhance absorption.
Vitamin B12: This vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal products. If you significantly reduce your intake of meat and dairy, you may need to rely on fortified foods or supplements to ensure you meet your needs.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Flexitarians can obtain omega-3s from plant sources like flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts, but those who previously relied on fatty fish should be aware of this nutritional change.

Conclusion

For those wondering, "What do you call someone who only eats meat occasionally?" the answer is a flexitarian or semi-vegetarian. This eating style offers a practical, balanced, and sustainable alternative for people who want to reduce their meat intake without the rigid restrictions of a full vegetarian or vegan diet. By focusing on plant-based foods while allowing for the occasional inclusion of animal products, individuals can reap numerous health benefits, minimize their environmental impact, and find a dietary pattern that fits their personal lifestyle. The rise in popularity of flexitarianism shows that for many, flexibility is key to long-term, healthier eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a flexitarian is not a vegetarian. While they primarily follow a plant-based diet, a flexitarian occasionally consumes meat, poultry, or fish, which is a distinction from a true vegetarian who abstains from all forms of meat.

Yes, a flexitarian diet can be very healthy. By emphasizing whole plant foods and limiting processed foods and red meat, it is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and can aid in weight management.

A pescatarian excludes all meat and poultry but eats fish and seafood, while a flexitarian eats meat, poultry, and fish on occasion. The key difference is that a flexitarian's diet is more flexible and can include meat that isn't fish.

There is no fixed amount of meat a flexitarian can eat, as it is up to the individual. However, the guiding principle is to consume it in moderation and focus on plant-based meals most of the time.

Yes, dairy and eggs are typically part of a flexitarian's diet, though they are usually consumed in moderation. This provides additional protein and nutrients that can complement the plant-based meals.

People are drawn to the flexitarian diet for a range of reasons, including health benefits associated with a plant-rich diet, reducing their environmental impact, ethical concerns about animal welfare, and potential cost savings on groceries.

You can start by gradually reducing meat consumption, perhaps by adopting a "Meatless Monday" and experimenting with plant-based protein sources like beans and lentils. Focusing on adding more plant foods rather than removing meat can make the transition easier.

For many, yes. The emphasis on high-fiber, low-calorie plant foods and a reduction in processed meats and sugary foods can lead to weight loss. However, overall calorie intake is still the main factor.