Why your 'flexitarian' identity might be shifting as the term grows
In short: Flexitarianism is exploding in popularity, but its definition is moving target. While it serves as a gateway to plant-based eating for many, research suggests that as more people adopt the label, their actual meat consumption may not be dropping as fast as you might expect.
Flexitarianism—the practice of centering a diet on plants while allowing occasional meat—has surged in public consciousness since the 2010s. It was voted 'most useful word' by the American Dialect Society in 2003 and entered mainstream dictionaries by 2012. Today, it serves as a broad umbrella for various behaviors: some define it as eating no meat one day a week, while others see it as avoiding red meat entirely or simply reducing frequency without fixed requirements.
However, the data reveals a complex trend of 'label inflation.' In the Netherlands, the number of people identifying as flexitarian rose from 14% in 2011 to 43% in 2019. Yet, during that same period, the actual number of days these self-proclaimed flexitarians ate meat increased from 2.9 to 3.7 days per week. This suggests that while the identity is becoming more common, it may be broadening to include less significant reductions in meat intake.
Socio-economic and ideological factors also play a major role in who adopts these diets. Research indicates that higher education levels are consistently associated with a greater likelihood of following a flexitarian or vegetarian diet. Interestingly, while concerns about farm animal welfare are common among those who reduce meat, the strongest predictors for dietary change are actually political orientations—specifically left-wing views—rather than concern for animals alone.
Ultimately, because there is no firm consensus on what constitutes 'flexitarian' versus a regular plant-based diet, health outcomes remain difficult to generalize. The effectiveness of the diet depends heavily on individual planning; well-structured plans can meet nutritional goals and lower risks of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, while poorly planned versions may lead to nutrient deficiencies.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Flexitarianism
- Also: Prevalence and socio-economic disparities in vegetarianism and flexitarianism over 15 years: the Dutch Lifelines Cohort.
- Also: Farm Animal Welfare on the Mind and Meat in the Diet: Who Are These Consumers?
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