Are you a flexitarian? If you're eating more plants and less meat, fish and fowl each week, you're probably a flexi. The term 'flexitarian' became hot a few years ago and as a part-time veggie, I immediately fell in love with the word. I relish vegetarian food, even tried being a veggie for five months once, but couldn't stay away from folding leaner cuts of meat and seafood into my regular diet.

Spinach lasagna, giant garbage salads, broccoli quiche -- I make these kinds of meals regularly for our family. But I also flip turkey burgers, too. According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, health is the leading driver for vegetarian food consumption.

If you want to learn more, don't miss registered dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner's new book -- The Flexitarian Diet: The Mostly Vegetarian Way to Lose Weight, Be Healthier, Prevent Disease and Add Year to Your Life. Packed with flexi recipes and simple shopping lists, Blatner will get you flexing to manage your weight, increase your energy and reduce your health risks.

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Newer studies show when Americans get out of the car and walk a little instead, they're simultaneously fighting obesity and global warming.

If all Americans between the ages of 10 and 74 walked or biked a half hour daily versus hitting the gas pedal, one scientist estimated we'd:

• cut 64 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
• save 6.5 billion gallons of gas.
• shed more than 3 billion pounds.

Shifting away from heavy meat consumption toward a flexitarian diet would also positively impact the planet. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported in 2006 that 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions derive from the meat industry. Fruits, veggies and grains take significantly less energy to produce.

Perhaps the dual benefits of walking will motivate even more of us to step out of the car and onto the sidewalk.

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Of course there will always be a market for convenient packaging and processed foods, but thankfully it seems that food trends are moving more towards natural foods that people prepare themselves in more natural ways. Cooking Light has put together a list of 5 of the healthier food trends we're seeing:

• Flexitarianism
• Locally grown foods
• Functional foods
• Organic foods
  
• Slow foods

If you want more information on any of those (I, for one, had to read what they meant by "functional foods") then see the complete article on CNN.com. Which ones are you already on board with? Are you bucking the trends or happy to be part of them?


Via Slashfood

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If you often eat like a vegetarian, but occasionally garner protein from lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs or dairy -- guess what -- you're a flexitarian. Catchy label. The American Dietetic Association says one-quarter of Americans fit this description as they consume four meatless meals each week.

According to nutrition advocates, flexitarianism is healthy. This varied diet is high in fiber and low in saturated fat. The focus on fruits and vegetables over protein automatically delivers recommended levels of vitamins and minerals. Studies show flexitarians weigh less and face lower risks of stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and colon and prostate cancers.

I just enjoyed three bean portabello chili for dinner -- if I eat the leftovers for lunch tomorrow, followed by a salad at dinner, I'm one meatless meal away from becoming a flexitarian! Read more about flexitarianism and four other healthy food trends thanks to Cooking Light.

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