Any flexitarians? How do you explain your diet to others?

cavewoman15

For about 6 months, I've been eating primarily vegetarian, but haven't entirely given up meat, and don't intend to. I eat meat maybe 2-3 meals a week or so, usually on the weekends, usually at restaurants or take-out. I don't cook with meat at home. I hear folks like me are called 'flexitarians'. I'm not super concerned about labels, but I find that my eating preferences are confusing to other people. Let me explain.

When I order a veggie option, almost always someone immediately asks me if I'm vegetarian, to which I can't really respond yes because I often order meat-containing dishes at restaurants. Plus, vegetarians work really hard and I don't want to be inauthentic in calling myself a vegetarian. I don't want to say 'no' either, especially if the meal we are sharing is a catered event (which often happens at work) and I've requested a special vegetarian option. So I usually go into detail about how I eat vegetarian most of the time, but eat meat sometimes, they usually have a lot of questions, and I end up getting annoyed, and then some people can get rude or are just dumbfounded. People seem to be comfortable with people fitting into the categories of vegetarians or meat-eaters, but have trouble with the ambiguity of someone who orders vegetarian meals but who is not technically a vegetarian. It's like they don't know what to do with me..

Clearly, the solution is that people should be able to eat whatever they want and not have to defend it, but that's not the reality. So my question for other flexitarians out there.. how do you identify yourself to others? How do you answer that question "are you a vegetarian?"

OnTheGround

I generally just said "Vegetarian dishes fit into my diet better" and leave it at that.

Ronij59

I agree with ontheground. I am Gluten free and get really tired of people asking if I do it as a "fad". It really is no ones business why or how you choose your foods.

kjm3579

I followed a "Flexitarian" plan for a bit before I settled on what works best for me. People have never heard of the term and I actually showed my coworkers a web site with info. on it in order for them to believe I wasn't just making up a word. You could simply say that you restrict meats on your diet or something to that effect.

JenAndSome

If someone asks if you are vegetarian why not just say "no" and leave it at that? I don't think there is a strong need to explain what you put into your body and why. Even if it is a catered meal and you requested the vegetarian option, it can just be because you like that particular food. You are not a vegetarian because you still eat meat. How often is not important.

Amberlynnek

I take a lot of flak for being vegetarian but I always tell people, " I don't question your food choices, don't question mine" YOu don't need to explain anything.

Lottiotta

I vastly prefer vegan food, but sometimes I eat meat or cheese or eggs or something because it's what's available. If people ask, I'll just say, "I prefer vegan food, but sometimes I've just got to not be vegan for whatever reason. Most of my meals are vegan."

rides4sanity

How about "I prefer to limit my intake of meat to just a few meals a week."? This isn't all that unusual, you seem to be making more out of it than you need to.

jharlowlives

Nope. No to this. You answer "No, I'm not a vegetarian" because you still eat meat. It doesn't matter how little meat you consume, you consume it. To call yourself a vegetarian would be an insult. You aren't a "flexitarian" either, you eat meat. You're a normal person that isn't that into meat. You don't call yourself anything.

cavewoman15

Interesting responses so far. Thanks for your input all! Ultimately it's my choice how I label myself, but you can see from the varied responses why I want to be careful about how I answer this question.. I want to try to offend as few people as possible on all sides!

PRMinx

How about, "The vegetarian dish sounded good to me, today" and leave it at that?

BarbieAS

How about "I prefer to limit my intake of meat to just a few meals a week."? This isn't all that unusual, you seem to be making more out of it than you need to.

I was going to go with something like that. Or just "I generally prefer not to eat meat." While I typically think it's incredibly rude to comment on someone's food preferences, I can sort of understand someone mentioning it out of curiosity if you're at a table with them and a waiter sets your food down and says "and here's your vegetarian option." Either way, you don't owe anyone an in-depth explanation, unless you truly feel compelled to educate them about your choices. A simple little answer that doesn't demand a lot of follow up is more than sufficient.

MamaRiss

Nope. No to this. You answer "No, I'm not a vegetarian" because you still eat meat. It doesn't matter how little meat you consume, you consume it. To call yourself a vegetarian would be an insult. You aren't a "flexitarian" either, you eat meat. You're a normal person that isn't that into meat. You don't call yourself anything.

What she said

Why do you even feel the need to label yourself based on the food you do or do not eat? If you want to be technical, you are on omnivore, you just don't eat meat often. If someone feels the need to question why you ordered a vegitarian dish, as them why the ordered what they did. Seriously, people making up labels for themselves and their eating habits is getting ridiculous. Eat what you like and get on with life

PwrLftr82

Nope. No to this. You answer "No, I'm not a vegetarian" because you still eat meat. It doesn't matter how little meat you consume, you consume it. To call yourself a vegetarian would be an insult. You aren't a "flexitarian" either, you eat meat. You're a normal person that isn't that into meat. You don't call yourself anything.

I thought that was the definition of a flexitarian?

contingencyplan

There's a scientific term for someone who eats both meats and plant based foods: Omnivore. You could choose to label yourself as some other funky term someone made up off the top of their head a few weeks/months ago if you want, sure, but the only thing you're proving to the world is that you're a sucker for trends and generally not worth taking seriously. Not saying that really DOES describe you, but that's the impression I'd get from the term "flexitarian."

_Terrapin_

Nope. No to this. You answer "No, I'm not a vegetarian" because you still eat meat. It doesn't matter how little meat you consume, you consume it. To call yourself a vegetarian would be an insult. You aren't a "flexitarian" either, you eat meat. You're a normal person that isn't that into meat. You don't call yourself anything.

Did someone wake up in Grumpysville?!?

Michifan

I used to be a vegetarian when I was first diagnosed with Crohn's in college. I was told that avoiding meat MAY help with some of the symptoms. I learned that (for me) too much meat was a problem - but fish, chicken and other animal proteins were not making my symptoms worse. I went strict vegetarian for some time - and then started to add and subtract foods along the way.

My step-sister was (and still is) a reactionary liberal. She's the mirror image of the most reactionary conservative. I'm not trying to be political - just giving you an idea of her personality. She thought that I had come over to her side of the political spectrum, and when she'd wax poetic about avoiding meat - I would respond that I missed steak and cheeseburgers. I also couldn't get enough protein with that diet (tofu tastes like tofu - not chicken, meat or anything else). Ultimately I started to feel better when I upped my fish (mercury poisoning be damned) and chicken. I brought beef back into the mix, but I was careful and certainly knew eating a Brontosaurus Steak would create certain GI issues.

I loved being a rebel among rebels. I kinda missed being the uninvited member of a sect that rejected all the politics, but "chose vegetarianism" for health reasons. Over time, I learned that my body needs, craves and operates most efficiently with animal (especially fish) protein. When I walked away from it, I had my vegetarian bona-fides but rejected it as an option for me after strict adherence.

It's cool to be different. It's even cooler to take control and eat what makes you healthy.

PRMinx

Nope. No to this. You answer "No, I'm not a vegetarian" because you still eat meat. It doesn't matter how little meat you consume, you consume it. To call yourself a vegetarian would be an insult. You aren't a "flexitarian" either, you eat meat. You're a normal person that isn't that into meat. You don't call yourself anything.

Did someone wake up in Grumpysville?!?

:laugh:

RedfootDaddy

My wife and I are much the same, I've never heard the term 'flexitarian' though. She says we're lazy vegans, I just call us opportunistic omnivores (like tortoises!). If it's cheaper, easier, and healthier to do it vegan or vegetarian, then we do. And then we go out for burgers because burgers are delicious. But really, we stopped eating meat because we couldn't afford it. Now I have a better job and we can, but we've gotten used to - and even prefer - not making meat at home. We've found other substitutes that work just as well.

Pspetal

I've eaten like you my whole life. I've never heard the term "flexitarian" before, but because I do eat meat, I call myself a non-vegetarian or an omnivore. If I get something vegetarian while eating out and someone asks me if I'm vegetarian, all I say is, "No, but I just don't feel like meat today." No one ever asks more than that... I don't see why you have to launch into an explanation for your choices. Just deflect the question away with a "non-controversial" answer.

Adc7225

I am not a flexitarian but when a comment is made about my diet or food choice I just respond that 'I am very picky' that usually shuts people up and makes way for a change of the subject!

LB2812

How about "I prefer to limit my intake of meat to just a few meals a week."? This isn't all that unusual, you seem to be making more out of it than you need to.

^^ This.

If you need a label, you are an "omnivore." How often you eat meat is irrelevant. You are not at all a vegetarian if you are still eating meat a few days a week. You are just a regular omnivore who doesn't eat a lot of meat. You don't have to explain why you are choosing a meat-less option anymore than you have to explain why you are choosing a meat-full option. A simple "this one looks good" or "I"m trying to eat less meat" or "wanted something light" would suffice. You are making it much more complicated by trying to explain or defend it.

pobalita

You are an omnivore who sometimes orders vegetarian meals. If you eat meat, you aren't vegetarian. No need to create a special category here.

ponycyndi

I love vegan food, and I love beef. I'm an omnivore.

Also, anyone who asks if I'm a vegitarian because I ordered vegetarian food is an *kitten*.

_Terrapin_

You are an omnivore who sometimes orders vegetarian meals. If you eat meat, you aren't vegetarian. No need to create a special category here.

Of course it is needed; liberal, conservative, evo pescatarian, vegan, omnivore, and on and on. Every week I'm asked if I'm vegetarian and every week I say "No". It is the way of the world.

cavewoman15

Loving this discussion! It's informative and heated but not angry. Let's hope it can stay this way!

melimomTARDIS

I think the term flexitarian is a little silly. The way I eat has been called "semi-vegetarian" by others, also, "Californian".

I just explain it like this, I think meat is expensive, and isnt very good for ya. So I avoid it most of the time. I am not a vegetarian, as I have meat (tilapia fillets,boneless chicken breasts, and ground venison) in my freezer.

As time goes on Id like to consume less and less meat. Then when I eat none, I'll call myself a vegetarian.

Zerodette

"I'm not a vegetarian, I ordered the dish that sounded the most appealing."

Why make it more difficult than that??

lporter229

This is the first time I have heard the term "flexitarian" and I have to say that I think it's pretty silly. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and even pescatarian are terms that define your dietary restrictions. You don't go to a restaurant and ask if they have "flexitarian" options, do you?

AliceDark

I will admit that I get a little irritated when people who do eat meat call themselves vegetarians, only because it seems like I have to field a lot of questions about why I don't eat fish, or chicken, or whatever ("...but my vegetarian friend eats fish!"). It also makes me a little nervous when I'm eating food prepared by other people, because then I'm never sure if they understand that vegetarian really does mean NO meat.

Having said that, though, I'm always happy when my omnivorous friends try to incorporate more veg meals into their diets. Meatless Monday is trendy right now; have you thought about saying something like "you know how Meatless Monday is a thing? I'm doing Meatless Thursdays."

You could also just spin it as a positive: "no, I still eat meat, but I love spinach and the vegetarian lasagna sounds amazing."

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Why tell them anything? I'd just say "no, it just sounded good."

I also think the term flexitarian is silly.