The Flexitarian Diet is a combination of the words ‘flexible’ and ‘vegetarian’. It allows people to eat predominantly plant-based foods whilst allowing some animal products in moderation.
Because it is more flexible in nature than vegetarian or vegan diets, it is great for people who want to eat healthier and reduce their meat consumption without feeling guilty when they do occasionally eat those foods.
Specific rules are not needed, so the consumption of animal products can vary from person to person.
This article will cover everything you need to know about following a volumetrics diet and give you a sample 7 day plan to follow that contains daily meals and a shopping list.
You can jump straight into the 7 day pdf of the plan here.
View 7 Day Flexiterian Diet Plan PDF
How to Follow a Flexitarian Diet
Because there is no definitive rules, calories or macronutrients, it can be followed very easily. The goal is more about adopting a generally plant-based lifestyle rather than following a diet.
However, it can be good to follow a basic diet plan in the beginning simply to find what meals work for you.
In terms of optimising your health, the diet offers a few principles to follow:
- Eat more fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains
- Eat more plant-based proteins rather than animals
- Eat less processed foods
- Reduce added sugar
- Don’t sweat about eating occasional and animal products
As a result of its flexible nature and focus on what to include rather than what to restrict, the Flexitarian Diet is a popular choice for people looking to eat healthier.
Which Are the Healthiest Meats?
Generally, you’ll want to include lean proteins. These include white meat such as chicken, turkey and fish.
Red meats like beef and pork is highly nutritious but are also higher in saturated fats. These type of fats are considered unhealthy fats when compared to unsaturated fats found in olive oil, nuts and seeds.
Processed meats such as salami, bacon, ham and sausages are high in saturated fats but also contain far fewer vitamins and minerals, so it’s best not to rely on these types of meats if you’re looking to follow a flexitarian diet healthily.
Nutrients to Consider When Following a Flexitarian Diet
If you eat predominantly plant-based foods and include some form of meat throughout the week, then you’ll have nearly all the nutrients you need.
However, there are a few nutrients you may not be getting enough of, which are typical of vegetarian diets. These are omega-3 fatty acids, iron and vitamin-12.
Omega-3 Fats
The body can only get them through foods and they are important for brain function and a healthy nervous system.
Oily fish is one of the best sources of omega-3 such as salmon, tuna and herring. Vegetarian sources such as chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts and soybeans have them in smaller quantities, but oily fish contain higher amounts.
To make your diet even healthier, make sure you’re including at least a serving a week of oily fish.
Iron
Iron in meat (haem iron) is more readily absorbed into the body than iron in plant foods (non-haem iron).
You can increase the amount of iron that is absorbed from food by also having a source of vitamin C with your meal.
Good sources of iron include:
- Chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans and other pulses
- Tofu
- Seeds
- Breakfast cereals and bread
- Green leafy vegetables (kale, cabbage, broccoli)
- Seeds and nuts (almonds and cashews)
- Dried apricots, dates and raisins
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is needed to help the production of red blood cells and maintain a healthy nervous system.
It’s only found in animal products but that does include dairy and eggs.
Some soy products and breakfast cereals foods may also be fortified with vitamin B12 If you’re not eating any animal-derived products, then you may need to take a B12 supplement.
Considerations When Following the Plan
The diet plan we have included is based on a vegetarian Mediterranean diet. It contains occasional dairy products and no meat. However, meat can be easily be added to particular recipes.
For example, within the weeks worth of dinner recipes, you could easily add meat to the quinoa and stir fried veg dish, the grilled aubergines and tabbouleh and the aubergine lentil bake dishes.
Be sure to add oily fish into the meal plan at least once a week to ensure you consume sufficient omega-3 fatty acids.
The Flexitarian Diet and Mediterranean Diet overlap very closely in terms of the principles. However, with a Mediterranean-style diet, you’ll be exposed to tasty ways of cooking that are easy to follow. This is important in ensuring you are able to continue eating this way for good.
Because it is highly recommended and researched, there are many studies available that show how beneficial it is across a range of health factors. These include:
- Lower risk of cardiovascular events, coronary heart disease, (1, 2)
- Lower risk of coronary heart disease (3, 4)
- Lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (5)
- Lower risk of breast cancer (6)
- Lower risk of obesity (7)
- Better cognitive function (8)
7 Day Flexitarian Mediterranean Diet Plan
Flexitarian Diet Meal Plan
In the meal plan are recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Fruity Bircher Museli | Edgy Veggie Wraps | Quinoa and Stir Fried Vegetables |
| Tuesday | Tomato and Watermelon Salad | Cannellini Bean Salad | Spicy Tomato Baked Eggs |
| Wednesday | Basil and Spinach Scramble | Tangy Couscous Salad | Grilled Veg Bean Mash |
| Thursday | Fruity Bircher Museli | Mixed Bean Salad | Greek Salad Omelette |
| Friday | Tomato and Watermelon Salad | Carrot, Orange and Avocado Salad | Spicy Mediterranean Beet Salad |
| Saturday | Basil and Spinach Scramble | Moroccan Chickpea Soup | Grilled Aubergine and Tabbouleh |
| Sunday | Fruity Bircher Museli | Turkish Bulgur Wheat | Aubergine Lentil Bake |
Looking for a purely vegan meal plan? Check out this vegan plan here.
Snacks are recommended between meal times. Some great snacks include:
- A handful of nuts or seeds
- A piece of fruit
- Carrots or baby carrots
- Berries or grapes
View 7 Day Flexiterian Diet Plan PDF
Day 1: Monday
Breakfast: Fruity Bircher Muesli
Nutrition
- Calories – 323
- Protein – 12g
- Carbs – 54g
- Fat – 8g
Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 apple, coarsely grated
- 50g porridge oats
- 25g flax seeds
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 100g Greek yogurt
- 1 banana, sliced
- 10g raisins
Instructions
- Place the grated apple, oats, seeds, and cinnamon into a bowl. Stir in the yogurt and 100ml of cold water, cover and leave in the fridge overnight.
- Spoon muesli into bowls and top with sliced bananas and raisins.
Lunch: Edgy Veggie Wraps
Nutrition
- Calories – 310
- Protein – 11g
- Carbs – 39g
- Fat – 11g
Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 100g cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
- 6 Kalamata olives
- 2 large wholemeal tortilla wraps
- 50g feta cheese
- 2 tbsp houmous
Instructions
- Chop the tomatoes, cut the cucumber into sticks, split the olives and remove the stones.
- Heat the tortillas.
- Spread the houmous over the wrap. Put the vegetable mix in the middle and roll up.
Dinner: Quinoa and Stir Fried Veg
Nutrition
- Calories – 473
- Protein – 11g
- Carbs – 56g
- Fat – 25g
Prep time + cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 100g quinoa
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, cut into thin sticks
- 150g leek, sliced
- 150g broccoli, cut into small florets
- 50g tomatoes
- 100ml vegetable stock
- 1 tsp tomato purée
- juice ½ lemon
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat 3 tbsp of the oil in a pan, then add the garlic and quickly fry for 1 minute. Throw in the carrots, leeks and broccoli, then stir-fry for 2 minutes until everything is glistening.
- Add the tomatoes, mix together the stock and tomato purée, then add to the pan. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain the quinoa and toss in the remaining oil and lemon juice. Divide between warm plates and spoon the vegetables on top.
View 7 Day Flexiterian Diet Plan PDF
Day 2: Tuesday
Breakfast: Tomato and Watermelon Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 177
- Protein – 5g
- Carbs – 13g
- Fat – 13g
Prep time + cook time: 5 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp chopped mint
- 120g tomatoes, chopped
- 250g watermelon, cut into chunks
- 50g feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- For the dressing, Mix the oil, vinegar, chilli flakes and mint and then season.
- Put the tomatoes and watermelon into a bowl. Pour over the dressing, add the feta, then serve.
Lunch: Cannellini Bean Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 302
- Protein – 20g
- Carbs – 54g
- Fat – 0g
Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 600g cans cannellini beans
- 70g cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ tbsp red wine vinegar
- small bunch basil, torn
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the beans and mix with the tomatoes, onion and vinegar. Season, then add basil just before serving.
Dinner: Spicy Tomato Baked Eggs
Nutrition
- Calories – 417
- Protein – 19g
- Carbs – 45g
- Fat – 17g
Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 red onions, chopped
- 1 red chilli, deseeded & chopped
- 1 garlic clove, sliced
- small bunch coriander, stalks and leaves chopped separately
- 800g can cherry tomatoes
- 4 eggs
- brown bread, to serve
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan with a lid, then cook the onions, chilli, garlic and coriander stalks for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the tomatoes, then simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Using the back of a large spoon, make 4 dips in the sauce, then crack an egg into each one. Put a lid on the pan, then cook over a low heat for 6-8 mins, until the eggs are done to your liking. Scatter with the coriander leaves and serve with bread.
View 7 Day Flexiterian Diet Plan PDF
Day 3: Wednesday
Breakfast: Basil & Spinach Scramble
Nutrition
- Calories – 294
- Protein – 16g
- Carbs – 8g
- Fat – 24g
Prep & cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 100g cherry tomatoes
- 4 eggs
- 60ml milk
- handful basil, chopped
- 200g baby spinach
- black pepper
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and add the tomatoes. While they are cooking, beat the eggs in a jug and add the milk, black pepper, and basil.
- Remove the tomatoes from the pan and place on the plates. Add the oil, spinach and egg mixture to the pan, stirring occasionally until the eggs scramble. Once set, add to the plates and serve.
Lunch: Tangy Couscous Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 353
- Protein – 12g
- Carbs – 48g
- Fat – 14g
Prep & cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 200g couscous
- vegetable stock
- 2 courgettes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 50g feta cheese, crumbled
- 20g pack parsley, chopped
- juice 1 lemon
Instructions
- Cook the couscous in vegetable stock according to pack instructions. Trim the ends off the courgettes, then cut into slices.
- Heat the oil in a pan. Add the courgette and season. Cook for 2 minutes, then turn over and cook until soft. Tip into a large bowl along with the cooked couscous. Add remaining ingredients, mix through and serve.
Dinner: Grilled Vegetables with Bean Mash
Nutrition
- Calories – 314
- Protein – 19g
- Carbs – 33g
- Fat – 16g
Prep time + cook time: 40 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp chopped mint
- 120g tomatoes, chopped
- 250g watermelon, cut into chunks
- 50g feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Heat the grill. Arrange the vegetables over a grill pan &brush lightly with oil. Grill until lightly browned, turn them over, brush again with oil, then grill until tender.
- Meanwhile, put the beans in a pan with garlic and stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Mash roughly with a potato masher. Divide the vegetables and mash between 2 plates, drizzle over oil and sprinkle with black pepper and coriander.
View 7 Day Flexiterian Diet Plan PDF
Day 4: Thursday
Breakfast: Fruity Bircher Muesli
Lunch: Mixed Bean Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 240
- Protein – 11g
- Carbs – 22g
- Fat – 12g
Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 145g jar artichoke heart in oil
- ½ tbsp sundried tomato paste
- ½ tsp red wine vinegar
- 200g can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 150g pack tomatoes, quartered
- Handful Kalamata black olives
- 2 spring onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
- 100g feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Drain the jar of artichokes, reserving 1-2 tbsp of oil. Add the oil, sun-dried tomato paste and vinegar and stir until smooth. Season to taste.
- Chop the artichokes and tip into a bowl. Add the cannellini beans, tomatoes, olives, spring onions and half of the feta cheese. Stir in the artichoke oil mixture and tip into a serving bowl. Crumble over the remaining feta cheese, then serve.
Dinner: Greek Salad Omelette
Nutrition
- Calories – 369
- Protein – 15g
- Carbs – 10g
- Fat – 21g
Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 4 eggs
- handful of parsley leaves, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ large red onion
- 100g cherry tomato,
- handful black olives
- 50g feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Heat the grill to high. Whisk the eggs in a bowl with the chopped parsley, pepper and salt. Heat the oil in a frying pan, then fry the onion over a high heat for about 4 minutes until they start to brown. Add the tomatoes and olives and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Turn the heat to medium & add the eggs, cooking them for about 2 minutes, stirring until they begin to set. Add feta, then place the pan under the grill for 5-6 minutes until the omelette is golden. Cut into wedges and serve.
View 7 Day Flexiterian Diet Plan PDF
Day 5: Friday
Breakfast: Tomato and Watermelon Salad
Lunch: Carrot, Orange & Avocado Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 338
- Protein – 4g
- Carbs – 26g
- Fat – 27g
Prep time + cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 orange, plus zest and juice of 1
- 2 carrots, halved lengthways and sliced with a peeler
- 35g bag rocket
- 1 avocado, stoned, peeled and sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cut the segments from 1 of the oranges and put in a bowl with the carrots, rocket and avocado. Whisk together the orange juice, zest and oil. Toss through the salad, and season.
Dinner: Spicy Mediterranean Beet Salad
Nutrition
- Calories – 548
- Protein – 23g
- Carbs – 58g
- Fat – 20g
Prep time + cook time: 40 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 8 raw baby beetroots, or 4 medium, scrubbed
- ½ tbsp za’atar
- ½ tbsp sumac
- ½ tbsp ground cumin
- 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- 200g Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp harissa paste
- 1 tsp crushed red chilli flakes
- mint leaves, chopped, to serve
Instructions
- Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. Halve or quarter beetroots depending on size. Mix spices together. On a large baking tray, mix chickpeas and beetroot with the oil. Season with salt & sprinkle over the spices. Mix again. Roast for 30 minutes.
- While the vegetables are cooking, mix the lemon zest and juice with the yogurt. Swirl the harissa through and spread into a bowl. Top with the beetroot & chickpeas, and sprinkle with the chilli flakes & mint.
View 7 Day Flexiterian Diet Plan PDF
Day 6: Saturday
Breakfast: Basil and Spinach Scramble
Lunch: Moroccan Chickpea Soup
Nutrition
- Calories – 408
- Protein – 15g
- Carbs – 63g
- Fat – 11g
Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 1 celery sticks, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 300ml hot vegetable stock
- 200g can chopped tomatoes
- 200g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 50g frozen broad beans
- zest and juice ½ lemon
- coriander & bread to serve
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a saucepan, then fry the onion and celery for 10 minutes until softened. Add the cumin and fry for another minute.
- Turn up the heat, then add the stock, tomatoes, chickpeas and black pepper. Simmer for 8 minutes. Add broad beans and lemon juice and cook for a further 2 minutes. Top with lemon zest and coriander.
Dinner: Grilled Aubergines & Tabbouleh
Nutrition
- Calories – 424
- Protein – 13g
- Carbs – 50g
- Fat – 21g
Prep time + cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 70g bulgur wheat
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 aubergine, thinly sliced
- 200g can chickpeas, drained
- 70g cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, chopped
- 50g feta cheese, crumbled
- bunch of mint, leaves chopped
- juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Cook the bulgur wheat according to pack instructions, then drain well. In a bowl, mix the garlic and olive oil and drizzle some of the olive oil over both sides of the aubergine strips. Sear the strips in a frying pan for 3 minutes each side until charred.
- Tip the bulgur wheat into a bowl with the chickpeas, tomatoes, onion, feta & mint, then pour over the remaining oil and lemon juice. Mix & season well, then serve with aubergines.
View 7 Day Flexiterian Diet Plan PDF
Day 7: Sunday
Breakfast: Fruity Bircher Museli
Lunch: Turkish Bulgur Wheat with Mushrooms
Nutrition
- Calories – 305
- Protein – 9g
- Carbs – 54g
- Fat – 12g
Prep time + cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
-
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
-
1 bell pepper, finely chopped
-
2 garlic cloves, minced
-
100 g mushrooms, finely chopped
-
2 tbsp tomato paste
-
1 tsp salt
-
1 tsp cumin
-
¼ tsp cinnamon
-
¼ tsp turmeric
-
225 g bulgur wheat
-
2 tomatoes, roughly chopped
-
375 ml vegetable stock
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a saucepan, then fry the onion and celery for 10 minutes until softened. Add the cumin and fry for another minute.
- Turn up the heat, then add the stock, tomatoes, chickpeas and black pepper. Simmer for 8 minutes. Add broad beans and lemon juice and cook for a further 2 minutes. Top with lemon zest and coriander.
Dinner: Aubergine Lentil Bake
Nutrition
- Calories – 444
- Protein – 17g
- Carbs – 52g
- Fat – 20g
Prep time + cook time: 60 minutes
Ingredients (for 2 people)
- 1 aubergine, sliced lengthways
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 70g lentils
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 150g cooked butternut squash
- 200g can chopped tomatoes
- ½ small pack basil leaves
- 60g feta
Instructions
- Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Add oil to each aubergine side. Lay on baking sheets, season and bake for 15-20 minutes, turning once. Cook lentils following pack instructions.
- Heat oil in frying pan. Add onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add squash & tomatoes, plus ½ can of water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in lentils, basil & seasoning.
- Spoon layer of lentils into baking dish, then aubergine slices and repeat. Scatter feta and bake for 15 more minutes until cheese is golden.
Flexitarian Diet Shopping List
This shopping list corresponds to the 7 day diet plan, serving 2 people. No snacks are included.
View 7 Day Flexiterian Diet Plan PDF
28 Day Vegetarian Mediterranean Diet Plan
We’ve created a 4-week vegetarian Mediterranean diet meal plan that follows the same format as this 7-day meal plan pdf. In it contains four weeks of meal plans, recipes, shopping lists and prep guides – all available in digital format.
Click here to grab your copy of the 28-day vegetarian Mediterranean diet plan!
Disclosure
We would like to take a moment to note that this post is for information purposes only. It does not claim to provide medical advice or to be able to treat any medical condition. It makes no claims in respect to weight loss, either in terms of the amount or rate at which weight loss could be achieved. If you have any concerns regarding your health please contact your medical practitioner before making changes.