Flexitarian

As if the world of food was not confusing enough - what really is the difference between vegan vs vegetarian? Is gluten-free eating the way forward to beat the bloat? Sugar vs fat, what is the real enemy? Just when you think you have it all figured out out there is a new food trend in town. Drumroll please...the 'flexitarian'. To put it simply flexiterian is a flexible vegetarian - a person who has a primarily vegetarian diet but occasionally eats meat and/or fish. Of course this way of eating is not new, but it is becoming increasingly popular with the amount of studies and overwhelming awareness proving the many health benefits of a plant-based diet. With Whole Foods predicting flexitarianism as the key food trend of 2017 I thought I would see what the fuss is about.

Meat-Free MondayOxford University staggering facts like this, I cannot help but feel a duty of care to keep our planet beautiful for future generations and if by adopting a primarily plant-based diet does this and equals a healthier life with my friends and family, I am in! Approximately half a billion of the world's population are vegetarian and growing in the western-world with many high profile champions supporting the balancing eating trend for health and the planet's welfare. The found 'eating meat no more than three times a week could prevent 31,000 deaths from heart disease, 9,000 deaths from cancer and 5,000 deaths from stroke, as well as save the NHS £1.2 billion in costs each year'. Although I am not a vegetarian, when hearing campaign launched by Sir Paul, Mary & Stella McCartney in 2009 has brought an abundance of awareness, with circa 100,000 tags on instagram alone. This non-profit campaign supports reducing meat intake one day a week to lower carbon footprint, slow climate change and preserve natural resources as-well as improving our health. The World Cancer Research Fund recommends eating mostly plant foods whilst limiting red meat and avoiding processed meat. In 2010, the department of public health at

Without too much in depth research, I realised I actually fit into this 'flexitarian' label pretty well. Whilst being health conscious and eating many plant-based foods in my diet, I do love eating fish and meat. Perhaps to a vegan or vegetarian it may come across I am not strong willed enough to give up animal protein but why should I deprive myself of something I love? I enjoy eating mostly fish & chicken, lots of vegetables and plant based sources of protein where I can. I have also recently adopted eating vegetarian at least one day a week, without fail on a Monday.

Sweetcorn pancake, poached eggs & avocado (Soho House)

Eating veggie is easier than ever, with many cookbooks and food bloggers promoting a vegan and vegetarian lifestyle. Deliciously Ella, Honestly Healthy and Ottonlenghi all offer delicious meat-free recipes that are easy to prepare and taste so delicious that I guarantee a carnivore will not feel like they are missing out. New to eating vegetarian? Try out my zucchini crust pizza and roasted beetroot, goats cheese salad in the recipes section, these recipes are also great; Sweet Potato & Aubergine Stew, Beet Wellington, Chickpea Burgers with Sweet Potato Wedges, Ultimate Veggie Lasagne, Halloumi Salad. Studies show reducing meat consumption has a number of health benefits including reduced risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Flexitarianism gives people a way to improve their health without giving up a flat iron steak or cheeseburger for good.

Sunday Roast (The Bull Inn, Cotswolds)

So basically, if you embrace healthy veggie living and enjoy a roast on a Sunday, your living up to flexiterianism. Eating less meat means spending more money on organic, high quality produce whilst committing to a healthier diet. Here are the rules to live by if your thinking of adopting; Add more veggies to your daily menu by replacing meats with protein-rich foods including tofu, beans, nuts, eggs. Add meat/fish to your menu occasionally. Try starting with 1 meal a day and you can gradually reduce depending on what works for you. There are no set rules, some people will have a meat-free meal once a week whilst others will only eat meat on rare occasions. The flexitarian option is a balanced eating option for health, wealth and the planet's welfare. It's not extreme and is sustainable to live by with an 80/20 split with 80% vegetables, fruits grains, healthy carbs and 20% meat or fish.

Here is some inspiration:

Ricotta hotcakes with banana & maple syrup (Granger & Co, Notting Hill)

GF Cod Fish Taco's with Mango Slaw (Gourmet by Kcal, Dubai)

Selection of Veggie dishes (Wild Food Cafe, Covent Garden)

Scrambled eggs, salmon, avocado & sourdough (Daylesford Organic, Marylebone)

Quinoa, roasted red & yellow pepper, avocado & rocket salad (Le Royal Meridian, Dubai)

Breakfast bowl salad & Poached egg, smashed avocado & corn fritters (Passion, Ibiza)

Homemade zucchini crust pizza with goats cheese, spinach & pine nuts

So if your looking to make positive changes to adapt your health and lifestyle whilst helping save the planet, give it a go. You will be surprised how easy it is and the health benefits :) Email me and let me know you get on - lisapenny.blog@gmail.com.

L.P. x

Fennel, Haloumi & Pomegranate Salad