素食主义(vegetarianism)曾经风靡的时候，不少人都毅然决然地放弃各类肉食，并表示全素的饮食照样能提供人体所需的各类营养。不过在近几年，很多新型的素食主义开始出现。他们共同的表现是：不再严格坚持全素的饮食习惯，而是不定期地摄入一些肉类食品。这就是我们今天要说的flexitarian(弹性素食者)。
“Flexitarian”(flexible vegetarian) is a term recently coined to describe those who eat a mostly vegetarian diet, but occasionally eat meat as a protein supplement. They're driven by health benefits more than concerns about animal rights, ethics or the environment. Many people who call themselves "flexitarian" or "semi-vegetarian" have given up red meat for health reasons; while others, for environmental reasons, only eat free-range or organic animals and animal products。

Flexitarian(弹性素食者)是近两年才出现的一个词，指那些大部分时间吃素食，偶尔为补充蛋白质而摄入一些肉类的素食者。他们这样选择的主要出发点是健康，而不是动物权益、道德或者环保等因素。他们有时也被称为semi-vegetarian(半素食者)。其中很多人都因为健康的原因放弃食用红肉，另外一些人为了环保只选择自由放养或有机培育的动物及其相关产品。