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February 25, 2009

Reluctant veggie? Go “flexitarian”

By Kashi Read more cooking, daily challenge, healthy eating, mealtime, new ideas, vegan, and vegetarian
Challenge Yourself for: 24 Hours

If you love the flavor of meat but want to eat less of it for nutritional reasons, try going “flexitarian.” Simply put, flexitarians mainly eat a plant-based diet, however they occasionally eat fish, chicken, and meat dishes. Today, challenge yourself to eat like this for a day or plan on doing it for a week or two to see how you like it.

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  1. 48_moses_the_cow
    pollotarian_luv commented on this. over 3 years ago

    When I am in college, I plan on being a pesca-tarian. I definitely could live without meat and even without my grilled chicken, but I don’t think I could totally give up seafood. I only eat grilled or broiled or baked meats, by the way, and I think those taste way better than deep-fried junk. I just love grilled shrimp and white fish too much! I would love to be a flexitarian now, but my parents are too stubborn in their old ways. Though I have convinced them to switch to 96% lean ground beef and turkey, which is a start!

    1. 48_moses_the_cow
      pollotarian_luv almost 3 years ago

      I also have a completely vegetarian lunch every day! I use beans or a Kashi bar with protein to help fill me up!

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  2. 48_lauren_2
    soccerchic2198 commented on this. almost 4 years ago

    I try very hard not to eat meat. My downfall is chicken (so does that make me a pollotarian?). I get a lot of my protein from blackbeans (black bean soup, black beans on nachos, black beans and rice… see a theme?)

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  3. 48_moses_the_cow
    pollotarian_luv commented on this. almost 4 years ago

    I could totally do without red meat! However, my family occasionally makes me eat it, so I have to. But when I am an adult, I plan on being a “flexitarian” and I will sometimes eat grilled chicken, shrimp or fish b/c that is the meat I like. I can live w/o burgers and steaks and all that though just fine. Plus chicken and seafood are much healthier anyway.

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  4. 48_100_0504
    rosi86 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I decided to become a vegetarian about 2 weeks ago and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.I feel better inside and out,not to mention that I’ve lost four pounds!! We’re lucky to have the great products from Kashi to help us along =] Good luck to everyone on their challenge!

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  5. 48_lboseman12
    lboseman commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Sorry guys, I haven’t been online in a while outside of work. The Cottage Cheese patty recipe is as follows:

    12-16 oz of Lowfat Cottage Cheese
    1/4 C of Oil (I don’t always do this)
    2 C. of Old fashioned oats
    2 C. of Kashi Flaked cereal ( or special K,
    about 1 C. Peacans or Walnuts chopped fine
    1 package Lipton Onion soup mix
    1/2 green pepper chopped
    2-4 eggs
    Spike, garlic powder, dill, or thyme as you desire
    About 2 TBSP of Mrs. Braggs

    Crush all cereal first, add cottage cheese and mix together well. Add all other ingredients. Make sure mixture is sticky enough to hold together when you make a patty. I’ve even breaded it in ground pecan meal if it isn’t holding together well.Heat couple of TBSP of olive oil in pan. Brown each side of patty. Set aside. Prepare gravy with 1 can cream of mushroom diluted with 1/2 can of water. Place patties in a baking dish and pour soup/gravy over top. Bake for 15 mintues or until bubbly. Serve with your favorite side dish!!!

    This can be made into a loaf and baked at 350 for about one hour or until firm. Season as you like and make it your own.

    By the way, I have been meat free for 2 months now and I can’t say I really miss it. It is funny how much of a habit eating is. My mother in law had fixed turkey the other day and I was making her plate. Out of habit I almost just popped a piece in my mouth, then I thought about what I was doing. I feel much better without having the heavy meat in my system. I have started to juice again after about 12 years away from it. Let me know how this recipe works for you!!

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  6. 48_m_02bc7c3b4557463b5ba3da658a502cc2
    annruthy commented on this. about 4 years ago

    yes i will start today and will change the way i eat.

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  7. User_48
    Juicy56 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Today I joined you guys in trying to get more healthy. I have failed so many times but I never give up I pick my self up and try again today is that day to try again and put all my heart and sole into this without looking back in the past. I thank this web-site for allowing Juicy56 for joining. God bless each and everyone of you on our journeys. Also boseman me to would like your recipe for Cottage Cheese Burger. Joined 3-19-2009/posted on12:48pm

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  8. User_48
    iklapper commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I guess I have been flexitarian, for about a year now. My daugher, 19, is vegetarian, and my husband works 2nd shift, so for ease of fixing suppers I eat vegetarian during the week and enjoy a chicken or fish meal with my husband on Saturdays.

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  9. User_48
    francaisejolie92 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    hailiesmomet01, you should try eating things like pita pockets filled with veggies (i LOVE greek style with tomatoes and cucumber and lettuce with a little plain yogurt) for lunch time. I too was at a loss for lunchtime when i first went vegetarian and those got me through it. I eat a lot more quinoa and pilaf dishes now (and Kashi frozen entres because let’s be honest, it’s easy!) but pita pockets were my dish when I thought the only lunch food was a lunchmeat sandwich.

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  10. 48_dscn0883
    jeannied411 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Today I am going to try to go “meatless”. Still waiting for the recipe for cottage cheese patties

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  11. User_48
    Alexia commented on this. about 4 years ago

    today I had cereal with low fat milk for breakfast, PB&J on whole wheat for lunch, whole grain crackers for my mid day snack and black eye peas with rice for dinner. The peas were cooked with smoked turkey, but other than that, no meat.

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  12. User_48
    Ree84 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I’m ready to start the challenge. I have been a vegetarian since I was 10, then when I turned 21 I started eating chicken. But I am still not healthy I love pasta, cheese, breads, etc. But today is a new day and I am going to do this challenge. I will stick to it too. No more bad foods will enter my mouth. For now on I will eat healthy and lose the weight I need to and live a much healthier lifestyle. Thanks for the challenge Kashi.

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  13. 48_dscn0883
    jeannied411 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I too would like recipe for cottage cheese patties

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  14. User_48
    hailiesmomet01 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I am having a harder time than I thought. I never realised how much I like things like chicken and lunchmeat until I started trying to eliminate them. I have done smashingly at incorporating more fresh produce, so I’m not counting this as a loss yet. As for the cottage cheese patties, I’d try anything once!!! lol

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  15. User_48
    PatFisher commented on this. about 4 years ago

    My son and I are trying to use the food we have at our homes already, which we do every 3 months or so. We had salmon burgers for breakfast but usually I don’t eat any meat. He does though, which is his choice, since he also respects mine.

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  16. 48_dscn0883
    jeannied411 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Cottage cheese patties? Recipe? TY lb

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  17. User_48
    ladyheart commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I eat very little meat, unless ground due to complications from weight loss surgery. I get my protein from mostly beans and dairy. I am want to also give up the ground meats and working to wards being vegetarian.

    I would love to have the recipe for your cottage cheese patties

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  18. 48_lboseman12
    lboseman commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I traveled this weekend and found going out to eat interesting. Thank goodness so many resturants have vegeatarian options, yet old favorites like “chicken wings” were there too!!! We had Thai food and my curried veggie rice and Hot and Sour soup were both good. I made my cottage cheese patties and took them to a potluck and they were a hit. The most diffult place to find something satifying was Wendy’s. I ended up with a baked potato with sour cream. Best wishes to eveyone on this challenge. This is my 5th week and so far so good!!!

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  19. User_48
    dechantc commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I pretty much live this way now. I’ve never been much of a meat eater. Problem is what I am eating is not as healthy as it should be. I need to increase my fruit/vegies intake and cut the sweets down. Now that I’m part of the Kashi group I am going to try to be more aware of what I’m eating. Looking forward to trying the different kinds of Kashi foods.

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  20. 48_dscn0883
    jeannied411 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I am going to be a “flexitarian” today – last 2 days I ate turkey.

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  21. 48_2009_so_far
    tjaskolski commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I am going to try this for the rest of the weekend!!

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  22. User_48
    annmarsala commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I love a lot of vegetarian dishes but I am going to try to eat less meat for my health and the health of our planet.

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  23. 48_dscn0883
    jeannied411 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Ooops I had to eat some ground turkey yesterday (expiration date) and I didn’t want to throw it away! But I’m back on the wagon today!

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  24. 48_img_0672
    jetitterton commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I started doing this two months ago. I’ve had red meat twice during that time ad I am reducing my weight steadily.

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  25. User_48
    bleuberre commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I am a vegetarian but because of my constant physical activity and lack of supplements, I have to eat lean meat sometimes so I could consider myself as a flexitarian

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  26. 48_a-m
    adventurer327 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I didn’t realize there is a term for this. I exclude beef from my diet, but do occasionally eat fish and seafood. I’m doing a completely vegetarian challenge for the next 1.5 months.

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  27. 48_misc_summer_2008_180
    MariStroz commented on this. about 4 years ago

    hi almost forgot but i did it.didnt eat much though so Ill do better today

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  28. 48_dscn0883
    jeannied411 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Got through my 2nd day of “vegetarian” Feel great, had lots of veggies, fruits and homemade soups w/beans, lentils, etc. Amazing how much “lighter” I feel. Good luck to all you “Newbies”!

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  29. User_48
    hailiesmomet01 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I’ve always wanted to try to eat vegetarian a few nights a week. It’s a challenge because my husband and 15 year old brother, who lives with me, always want meat, potatoes and bread. I’ve decided to no longer use that as an excuse not to eat as healthy as I can. Yay me!!!

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  30. User_48
    kell022775 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    A new start for my family of 5!!! We eat very little red meat now…. Lots of fish and chicken… My kids have adapted well with much more variety of vegetables in their diet. I need to stay on top with a new variety of recipes so that they do not become bored. I have growing boys that are hard to fill up during some meals….Any suggestions???

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  31. 48_misc_summer_2008_180
    MariStroz commented on this. about 4 years ago

    ok Im ready today is the first day of the rest of my life so here it goes

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  32. User_48
    rasmoo commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Hey marciabyrd – we already have something in common. I’ve been diabetic for almost 17 years (on insulin the last 10). When I stick with a high fiber low-carb diet I have good control over my glucose numbers. Unfortunately I’m seriously lacking in willpower. I am trying to lose MANY pounds and lower my cholesterol too. I can’t give up meat altogether but I’m trying to eat more chicken and fish and less red meat. I’m supplementing with a lot of veggies too. Good luck to us both!

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  33. 48_dscn0883
    jeannied411 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Glad to say I got through my first day as a “vegetarian”!! Was pretty easy and I was not hungry at all. I will try for another day. 90 yr. old mom! She must be doing something right!

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  34. User_48
    marciabyrd commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I am trying a vegetarian diet for weight loss and better glucose control, as I have type 2 diabetes. It’s hard to do when you must prepare meals for a “meat and potatoes” man.

    Any other diabetics out there?

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  35. User_48
    joyrider commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Sorry, guys, but I love my chicken AND I live at the beach so there’s no way I’m giving up fish, shrimp, oysters, crab and conch. I grow my own vegetables and can the surplus every Summer so veggies are my friends. I live my 90-year-old mom and am trying to change her eating habits. She still loves those tubs of plastic butter but I’m slowly making progress. The biggest jump for her was going from white bread to whole wheat and from white rice to brown. She complained for about a minute but I do the cooking and she’s discovered that this new way of eating might not be all bad.

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  36. User_48
    Breezygurl commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I am already a flexitarian. I have do eat fish and eggs on occasion. For five years now I have been following this diet for ethical and “taste” reasons. I feel great and much healthier because of it! I eat a lot of whole wheat, fruit, veggies, and dairy is my main source of protein. In addition I try to eat as natural/organic as my wallet allows.

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  37. User_48
    ChaiKat commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I’m already a vegetarian, for ethical reasons. I do love to find different things I can add to my diet that are as natural as possible. I’m looking forward to exploring more of the Kashi liine.

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  38. User_48
    Connilee commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I eat as healthy as I can – Lots of whole grains, fruit and vegs, chicken, fish, beans, and very rarely red meat. I also eat nuts, edamame, flax. I take several supplements to help me to feel good. Feel pretty good, but I am always tired and can’t seem to regain any muscle tone in my core and upper body. Any suggestions? I am 59

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  39. 48_sarah1
    SarahMayFl commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I went pesca-tarian. I cut all meat and poultry out of my diet about 3 1/2 years ago. I immediately lost 7 pounds. It just melted off. No exercise or anything. Then, a little over a year ago, I cut out dairy and eggs. Again, I lost another 7 pounds. I’m a completely different person now. My body is so much leaner, and I feel so much healthier. I don’t think I could gain weight if I tried.

    I’m completely vegan at home and order fish when I go out to dinner. I’m telling you, it’s the way to go. With the steroids and hormones they’re pumping into meat and poultry these days, you don’t want that in your body. What do you think it does to you? The same thing it does to the animals it’s given to – fatten you up! Fatten you up quick!

    I am SO excited that Kashi is offering vegan and pesca-vegan frozen food options now. I can’t wait to try it. I eat GoLean crunch with soy milk and blueberries every morning, and I truly look forward to it. Now I can look forward to lunch too! :)

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  40. User_48
    lindaduelley commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Since I read a publication from “Mercy for Animals” I have decided to once again not eat meat; I have had chicken once however in the last week. I read lboseman’s posting and plan to try Morning Star and Bocca products. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  41. 48_lboseman12
    lboseman commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I start the day with Kashi Go lean with fruit (strawberries, blueberries, or bananas). I eat multi-bean soups or even veggie Lean cuisine with salad for lunch. Using vegetable stock, black beans, pinto beans, chik peas, mixed veggies, Okra, chopped tomatos and your choice of seasoning and eat with Kashi crakers. I eat lots of fruit, yogurt, trail mix (my own version with sunflower seeds, raw almonds, craisins, and Kashi Go lean Crunch) between meals for a snack. I like many of the meat substitutes like Morning star burgers or chick patties. Bocca products and I have been experimenting with several Asian veggie products. It does take some trail and error, but it is worth it. I’ve been doing more smoothies too. For dinner some type of meat substitute (I make a mean cottage patty), veggies, whole grains/starch and salad. I’ve even cut down on my sweets. Best wishes to you all in your quest.

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  42. User_48
    Deborah1950 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    If I don’t have chicken or fish during the day I find that I am always hungry—any solutions? I love to be a lacto-ovo.

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  43. 48_lboseman12
    lboseman commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I have just completed a 31 day fast from meat and feel fantastic. I am going vegetarian, but may on occassion be a flexitarian as I may have fish from time to time. A lacto-ovo vegetarian still includes diary and eggs in their diet. A vegan would totally eliminate any animal or animal by products such as eggs, milk, or cheese. I am lacto-ovo. I still need my cheese to make foods favorful!!! Come along and take this challenge. Try it for a week or more and I promise you’ll be hooked!!

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  44. 48_n17200395_36331649_662
    kassieNYCA commented on this. about 4 years ago

    i just learned I am a Flexitarian! thanks Kashi! from your friend at NYCA!

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  45. User_48
    maidenylb commented on this. about 4 years ago

    This might not be too hard to do, I took a bite of my daughter’s veggie burger once not knowing what it was and it wasn’t too bad.

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  46. 48_dscn0883
    jeannied411 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    Hmmm : anyone can we eat eggs? in place of fish?

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  47. 48_dscn0883
    jeannied411 commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I will definitely try to do this today!

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