Vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, paleo, keto, Mediterranean, Whole30 — with all the different eating plans available, finding one that works with your personal preferences, lifestyle and health requirements can be confusing. When you finally do zero in on a diet you want to try, sticking to the rules is the next challenge.
For thoughtful eaters who want to cut back on their consumption of animal-based products, reducetarianism offers a way to do just that without the strict limitations of a plan that’s more unyielding. Whether it’s for better health or ethical reasons, this kinder, gentler approach to eating focuses on scaling back the amount of meat, seafood, poultry, eggs and dairy you consume over time and in a conscious way.
The origins of reducetarianism
New York native and co-founder of the Reducetarian Foundation nonprofit organization Brian Kateman coined the term reducetarianism in 2014 to describe eating preferences that skew vegetarian, but without an all-or-nothing commitment. By lowering their intake of animal-based products, but without giving them up entirely, reducetarians benefit their health, the environment and animal welfare.
This flexible eating approach may be easier to stick to, alleviating the guilt of wanting to enjoy a cheeseburger from time to time. But don’t call it flexitarian. The difference lies in motivation and intent. While flexitarians eat a primarily plant-based diet with occasional exceptions for meat, cheese, poultry and fish, reducetarianism means that you’re simply eating less meat and animal products than you usually do.
Is less really more?
Reducetarianism offers several potentially significant benefits. Decreasing your consumption of animal-based products — especially processed meats and those high in cholesterol and saturated fat — may help to lower your risks for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and many types of cancer.
Opting to eat more fruit, vegetables, grains, beans and legumes in lieu of meat (particularly red meat) and dairy may help to mitigate climate change by reducing your carbon footprint. Livestock farming and meat production contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in global warming, and they can also add to water and ground pollution.
Lowering the demand for meat and animal products also reduces opportunities for worker exploitation and animal cruelty that can occur in inherently dangerous working environments like factory farms and slaughterhouses.
It’s easy to give reducetarianism a try. Maybe “meatless Mondays” might present a fun way to experiment with new recipes. Go vegan for a day or weekend to see how it makes you feel. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover that many restaurants are now offering plant-based menu options that are just as tasty as their meaty counterparts.
