Words on Wellness

The Flexitarian Diet: A Flexible Way to Eat Well

     A new term in the world of diets is the Flexitarian Diet. The mission of the Flexitarian Diet is to add more plant-based foods to your diet. Flexitarians eat less meat than they used to, but don’t give it up completely. The Flexitarian Diet has benefits like those seen with vegetarian diets–a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The American Heart Association encourages the Flexitarian Diet as a good compromise to promote heart health. This way of eating can be fun–and may save you money!

     Try these simple tips:

     • Find ways to replace meat at your meals with legumes or soy products. For example, have a black bean burger instead of a hamburger.

     • Start out small by making just one meal each week meatless. You may find you enjoy the variety.

     • Visit the Extension Store to download a free copy of “Dried Beans, Peas, and Lentils Can Help You Save $$” at store.extension.iastate.edu/product/14036.

     • Find vegetarian recipes on the American Heart Association website, recipes.heart.org/en/collections/lifestyles/vegetarian.

     • When you do eat meat, select a lean cut. Lean cuts of meat include the words “loin” or “round.” After cooking, rinse ground meat with water and drain to reduce fat content. Limit your daily intake to 6 ounces.

How Dangerous Is Double Dipping?

     There’s always one person at holiday gatherings who double dips at the table. They take a bite out of their chip or carrot and then inconspicuously stick it back in the dip again. This habit is gross, but is it actually dangerous?

     A study conducted recently by Harvard Medical School found that double dipping can add bacteria to dips.

     No studies have examined how much disease double dipping causes. However, saliva from a sick person often contains infectious germs. Researchers say your chances of getting sick from a healthy person who double dips are less than from sick people who cough or sneeze without washing their hands.

     Still, to protect the health of your guests, serve them dip on individual plates or put a spoon in the dip, so they won’t be tempted to double dive into the common dip bowl.