Opinion / Vegan diets are doomed to fail in Asia – flexitarianism is the sustainable, healthy plant-based alternative you can stick to

Apr 20 , 2021

A flexitarian diet might allow you to indulge in a chicken Buddha bowl from time to time. Photo: Shutterstock

Mainstream Asian culture doesn’t make veganism easy, but going flexitarian means healthy eating and healing the environment ‘with permission to enjoy life’

Celebrities like Meghan Markle, Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Lopez have all adopted the ‘flexi’ lifestyle for a reason – namely, it works

Veganism has exploded worldwide. No longer the strange little diet of yogis and animal rights activists, the mainstream masses have flocked to join this uber-cool ethical and environmental movement in their millions. The appetite for 100 per cent meat-free food, product, media and influencers is insatiable. For now, anyway.

But surely veganism isn’t widely sustainable within East and Southeast Asia, or among global Asian households? After all, most that transition eventually fall back into old ways. Studies in the West have shown that most vegans lapse within a year, and while no official research has specifically been conducted among vegans of Asian heritage, bets are that their long-term statistics are equally, if not more, dismal (come on, if celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Ellen DeGeneres aren’t able to stick to beans and greens among their weight-conscious crowd, can we really expect Hongkongers to turn down mum’s roast pork on a Lunar New Year?).

Enter flexitarianism

Flexitarianism is a plant-based lifestyle with the opportunity to incorporate small quantities of ethically sourced meat, fish, eggs and dairy. It focuses on healthy and responsible eating rather than entirely cutting out groups of food simply just because they’re animal-based – and those following are in good company. Meghan Markle, Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Lopez have all adopted the “flexi” lifestyle too.

Vegan meals are still the staple of the flexi lifestyle. Photo: @chefpeggychan/Instagram

What fuels its success is that individuals aren’t deprived. Experts have argued over whether veganism can be classed as a fad, and looking at the speed in which it’s adopted and relinquished, the patterns are similar. Veganism may have skyrocketed in lockdown, a temporary situation, but when post-pandemic socialising, indulgence and adventuring resume, chances are it will plunge right back. Remember that fads are famous for failure and veganism is no easier than keto.

Adapted to Asia

Asians know all too well that explaining any kind of trend to elders goes down like a bone in a pot of broth. At family gatherings where traditional Asian food is served, saying no to grandma’s adobo, beef rendang or Peking duck is not an option. Perhaps in 50 years time, asymptomatic dietary restrictions may sit, but to the older generation right now they’re often simply unfathomable.