素食主義(vegetarianism)曾經風靡的時候，不少人都毅然決然地放棄各類肉食，并表示全素的飲食照樣能提供人體所需的各類營養。不過在近幾年，很多新型的素食主義開始出現。他們共同的表現是：不再嚴格堅持全素的飲食習慣，而是不定期地攝入一些肉類食品。這就是我們今天要說的flexitarian(彈性素食者)。
“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(彈性素食者)是近兩年才出現的一個詞，指那些大部分時間吃素食，偶爾為補充蛋白質而攝入一些肉類的素食者。他們這樣選擇的主要出發點是健康，而不是動物權益、道德或者環保等因素。他們有時也被稱為semi-vegetarian(半素食者)。其中很多人都因為健康的原因放棄食用紅肉，另外一些人為了環保只選擇自由放養或有機培育的動物及其相關產品。