ScienceAugust 13, 2026

flexitarian

flek-si-TAIR-ee-un

Definition

A diet that is primarily plant-based but occasionally includes meat or other animal products.

Etymology

A portmanteau of 'flexible' and 'vegetarian' that emerged in the early 2000s to describe individuals who reduce their meat intake without fully committing to a vegetarian lifestyle.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe a flexible, sustainable approach to eating that prioritizes gut health through plant consumption without strictly excluding animal proteins. It represents a pragmatic dietary middle ground between pure veganism and standard meat-heavy diets.

Show 1483: Plant Power: Feed Your Gut and Fight Inflammation

Read the full article ↗

The People's Pharmacy

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