Are You A Flexitarian? Here Are 5 Easy And Tasty Meals

The flexitarian diet is the marriage between two words, "flexible" and "vegetarian", in its simplest form. As a flexitarian, the diet is designed to encourage the consumption of predominantly plant-based foods while permitting moderation of meat and other animal products. It is more adaptable than a completely vegetarian or vegan diet. It is a nutritious diet that does not require calorie counting or tight regulations and permits you to occasionally consume meat. A flexitarian diet is popular and ranked high because it promotes a basic, nutritious, and straightforward method of eating.

Also Read: Rujuta Diwekar Swears By Idea Of Eating In The Age Of Dieting

Let us learn about five yummy meals for Flexitarians here.

Chickpea salad

Try this tasty and easy-to-make meat-free dish. The ingredients required for salad are 15 ounces of chickpeas, 1 medium bell pepper, chopped, ½ cup of chopped onion, ½ cup of chopped celery, 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Blend all the ingredients in a large bowl and serve or store them in the refrigerator.

Avocado and egg toast

Health experts recommend this delightful dish because of its high protein and healthy fat content. You'll need 1 slice of toasted whole-grain bread, ½ avocado, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1 whole egg, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Peel the avocado and mash the flesh with pepper and lemon juice in a bowl. Meanwhile, toast the bread slices in a toaster. Hard boil the egg, peel the skin and slice them. You can prepare the egg however you like. Spread the avocado paste on the toasted bread slice and top it with egg slices or scrambled eggs. 

Peanut butter banana sandwich 

This sandwich provides protein and could be part of a healthy lunch or a snack. And it's effortless to make. To make this easy-peasy sandwich arrange 2 slices of whole-grain bread, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and ½ of a ripe banana. Smear the bread slices with peanut butter. Slice the banana in half and place the pieces on the peanut butter. Cover it with another slice of bread smeared with peanut butter. You may use fresh strawberries in place of banana. 

Chicken baked with garlic yoghurt

Try this recipe bursting with flavours because of the harissa (peppery red chilli paste) and garlic yoghurt sauce. You would need 1 yellow bell pepper, cubed into half-inch pieces, 1 red bell pepper, cubed into half-inch pieces, 1 1/2 pounds of chicken drumsticks and thighs, 2 teaspoonfuls of harissa, 3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 bulb of garlic, 1/2 cup plain yoghurt and pepper and salt to taste. Although the flexitarian diet emphasises plant-based meals, meat, fish, and poultry dishes are permitted. 

To prepare this delicious dish, pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, blend the chicken, peppers, and onions. Season them with salt and pepper according to taste. In another small bowl, whisk together harissa and olive oil. Now, pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables and give it a complete toss. Take a baking sheet and place the chicken pieces and vegetables in a single layer. Roast the chicken until it is thoroughly done. When the chicken is cooking, place the yoghurt in a small bowl. Add the garlic to the yoghurt a season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour yoghurt over the chicken and vegetables. Serve with an arugula salad dressed in olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and salt to taste other vegetables.

Broccoli tangy salad

This recipe is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which benefit eye health. The orange juice dressing imparts sweetness to the salad, while the broccoli and sunflower seeds add texture to a dish that will please the entire family. Take 1 cup of florets from broccoli, 1 cup of grated carrot, 1/4 cup of minced red onion, 1/4 cup of finely minced red bell pepper, 3 tablespoons of sunflower seeds without salt, 1/3 cup of walnuts chopped and 1/2 cup of canned mandarin oranges in juice.

For the dressing, you would need 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of mustard Dijon, 1 tablespoon of olive oil extra virgin, a quarter-cup of orange juice and black pepper to taste.

In a large mixing bowl, blend broccoli, carrot, onion, bell pepper, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and oranges. In a separate bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing. Pour the salad dressing over the salad and well combine. Allow it to get chilled for at least an hour to let flavours mingle. Relish it cold.