"Flexitarian" -- Mark Bittman... sounds reasonable!

This article, VB6 in the Globe and Mail, describes Mark Bittman's eating plan dubbed vegan before six or VB6.  You eat like a vegan until six, then you can eat what you want.  He did allow himself cream in his coffee. 

I kind of like this idea, because I want to eat fewer animal products for environmental reasons, but it seems like it would have great health benefits too.  I think it says he lost 30 lbs.  But it could be a recipe for night time disaster...  I would need to let myself have yogurt or milk for my cereal, though.  I just can't do soy/rice/almond milk. 

A vegan-diet is more like a lifestyle than just something to do before 6pm. I think this is setting up for a binge in the late evening.  This is just my opinion.  If you are considering going vegan, I would recommend reading Skinny Bitch. It promotes the vegan lifestyle and is pretty funny. 

It's probably better than making no effort whatsoever to minimize animal products.

 'Flexitarian' just sounds like 'someone who doesn't eat meat all the time'... and that would describe my regular diet.   Meat/fish probably features on two or three days a week only.  Rest of the time my meals are vegetable, bean, egg or tofu-based (and include dairy products).   All that daft stuff about being vegan before six sounds rather contrived..... not necessary.

I find it easier to control my weight when eating less meat purely and simply because meals based around veggies, beans, tofu etc., tend to be quite bulky & satisfying but relatively low in calories.  Still have to watch the portion-sizes and put in the exercise, however!!!!  The fat vegetarian/vegan/'flexitarian' is not a rarity.

    The switch into vegetarian and/or veganism can be difficult and gradually reducing meat consumption diet may help ease that transition. As you have explored in previous posts, being healthy takes a commitment, like eating those delicious jalapeno pretzel bites, but in a smaller quantity.  It is undoubtedly difficult but it may help to know you’re not alone. Meatless Monday is a non profit health initiative with Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health that encourages reducing meat consumption to both curb our carbon footprint and our risk preventable diseases. The website has a myriad of delicious meatless recipes, like the flavourful Jamaican Jerk Tofu, with less than 170 calories per serving, 9 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fibre to keep your hunger levels low, as well as cooking tips, nutrition facts, and health news. Meatless Monday takes an approach that transforms weight loss from an issue of appearance, to one of lifestyle, and makes reduced meat consumption a delicious and viable solution! So check out: www.meatlessmonday.com!

You know yourself and what you can handle.  IDK-You are probably stronger than me.  It seems like as soon as I set a food rule, then I break it! So I pretty much don't have any rules about what or when to eat.  It's just the calorie count that matters to me.  IMO if you have to make a strict rule about food, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. then you are probably setting yourself up for failure and the rule probably indicates a more serious problem.  I am no shrink, but maybe you should explore why it is that you want to set up such a strict and probably soon to be frustrating rule.    It might be better to just replace around 80% of the meat you purchase with other forms of protein, such as cheese, tofu and other fake meat or texturized protein, legumes, eggs, nuts and so on.  Because you won't have as much meat in the house, you will be forced to choose alternatives but it won't force you to do it during a specific time during the day and it won't make you have night binges.

I agree with GI Jane one hundred per cent.

Michael Pollan's latest book sums up flexitarianism in one sentence: 'eat foods, not too much, mostly plants'. Its a great read. I think its important to follow that principle while also including a wide variety of plants/beans/legumes/cereals and eating a little meat once in a while.

What I liked about it is the 'rules' are flexible.  I know veganism is a huge lifestyle commitment (I might even have to get new friends, or even a new husband!), but I like the idea.  However, I'm not ready for that kind of commitment.

 The before 6 thing appealed to me because it suits my schedule.  My lunch 'experience' kind of sucks (is it a boiler room or a lunch room?) and I eat breakfast with one hand holding my hair dryer, so I look forward to dinner.  Also, dinner is the meal I usually share with my husband and our friends.  So it makes sense for me to have flexibility at dinner. 

I've been trying to follow this 'idea' (I'm not going to call it a diet, because it isn't) loosely.  I had milk in my cereal, and I put a smidgen of parmesan in a white bean spread I've been eating at lunch with pita and cucumber and tomato salad.  So I'm really milking the flexible part of it.  

I will admit I really like Mark Bittman's cookbooks and articles in the NY Times, so I have a great deal of respect for his ideas.