Since becoming a flexitarian, Pious says she has taken advantage of incorporating animal-based foods into her diet, including when she was pregnant last year. "Over the past eight years, I've had periods of being completely vegetarian and periods when I've eaten meat regularly." Both approaches fit within a flexitarian mindset.
Blatner believes the lack of superstrict rules makes the diet more successful. And she says there are ways to have fun with the diet, which makes it easier to stick with. She suggests reinventing new favorites. "Take meaty recipes you love, such as burgers, tacos, and stir-fries, and start swapping in beans and lentils for some or all of the meat." (She recommends adding about one-fourth cup beans or lentils for each ounce of meat you take out.)
