Many newcomers to veganism are unsure of the distinctions between vegetarians, vegans, and others. One of the most common misunderstandings is whether vegans do or do not eat fish and seafood.
Veganism is defined as the practice of avoiding the use and consumption of animal-based foods and products.
Veganism or other plant-based diets are commonly adopted for health, ethical, environmental, or personal reasons. But, believe it or not, seafood, much like honey, is a source of contention and disagreement within the vegan community.
Whether you are already vegan or are thinking of trying out this wholly plant-based diet, it is safe to assume that you are interested in its personal, social, and ecological benefits. If this is the case, you need to know how seafood fits the guidelines of veganism to ensure you receive all the advantages.
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What Counts as Seafood?
It is a common misconception that seafood relates to shellfish. However, the term has a broader meaning in general and when applied to a vegan lifestyle.
Seafood neither relates to solely fish nor shellfish but any commercially farmed or captured fish, mollusks, and crustaceans from fresh and saltwater.
If you’re vegan and you are unsure of whether or not you can eat something that comes from the sea, ask yourself this single question. Are you about to eat something that had a mother? If it did, assume that it is not vegan. Otherwise, you’re safe!
There is plenty of aquatic vegetation if you crave something from the sea!
Can You Eat Seafood if You’re Vegan?
The most straightforward answer is no. Vegans do not consume seafood and do not consume any animal products. However, there are veganism types that allow specific types of fish.
Ostrovegans, for example, eat bivalves like oysters, but seagans include all seafood in their otherwise vegan diet.
Seafood, like fish, sometimes falls into a grey area of classification among those who adhere to a plant-based diet. However, veganism has always been abundantly clear that neither animals, the things they produce, nor their labor should contribute to human consumption in any way.
Despite this straightforward approach, some believe that the animals we refer to as “seafood” aren’t animals in the same way as cows, chickens, or even other kinds of fish.
However, suppose someone follows a truly vegan diet. In that case, they wholeheartedly consider shellfish animals and refrain from ingesting or using any part of them because they lack a central nervous system.
Some vegans may consider certain seafood acceptable. Oysters, for example, are often a hot topic of discussion in this community.
However, you can’t consume fish or seafood of any kind if you’re a true vegan.
Why Don’t Vegans Eat Seafood?
Many people are perplexed as to why vegans refuse to consume seafood. The logic is straightforward, but everyone seems to overlook that fish are animals. Just because they aren’t mammals and don’t live on land like people doesn’t mean they qualify as anything less than animals.
Many unique reasons can explain why people choose to adhere to a vegan diet. Three primary major groups can help better explain why people – vegans, in particular, do not eat fish:
The Environmental Impact
Commercial fishing produces bycatch, which is any unintended catch of creatures not intended to be caught. Bycatch has the potential to degrade ocean biodiversity drastically. Some 650,000 marine animals (turtles, whales, and dolphins) are hurt or killed yearly in fishing nets.
Another current commercial fishing activity that is particularly undesirable is bottom trawling. Giant nets are dragged across the ocean floor to catch anything they can. Studies have shown that the effect of this activity can be visible from space. Bottom trawling is the aquatic version of clear-cutting entire forests.
Animal Rights and Welfare
Most people believe fish experience pain and recent research has confirmed this. Fish have nociceptors, cells that detect pressure, heat, and irritation as threats. Like humans, fish create natural painkillers.
Studies have shown that fish exposed to chemical irritants lose their appetite, brush their bodies along aquarium walls, and show more excellent indicators of distress.
Vegans believe that killing or injuring animals is unethical. This leads to the powerful argument that eating fish hurts them, which is contrary to the vegan philosophy.
Furthermore, commercial fishing is rife with indignities. Fish are frequently sliced open while alive or forced to suffer for days in a net.
Personal Health
Although fish can be nutritious, they contain high mercury levels and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PCBs have been linked to human cancer.
According to studies, pregnant women who eat a lot of fish may have infants with birth abnormalities. PCBs are poisons that build up in animal fat and become more concentrated as they move up the food chain.
The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are why most people eat them. Yet, PCBs pose such a high risk that it may be advisable to avoid them. You can receive the omega-3 fats you need on a vegan diet.
Are There Vegan Seafood Alternatives?
Every year, countless fish are sacrificed for human consumption. Unfortunately, fish intake has several health hazards besides significant environmental effects. Fortunately, a growing variety of healthy plant-based alternatives are available that taste good, are good for the environment, and are vegan-friendly.
Whether new to the vegan diet or simply craving seafood, you don’t have to suffer from cravings. The following options are plant-based and will add the same satisfying flavor and texture of seafood.
Algae
Just like on land, the ocean has a rich supply of vegetation. The distinctive savory and salty flavor of algae, which resembles the fragrance of the sea, can lend a special touch to a dish, making it an excellent fish substitute. Algae, whether seaweed, nori, or wakame, eliminates the need for fish in soups, salads, and rice dishes.
You may even find little algae in the ingredients list if you already have plant-based seafood. Algae not only has a pleasant taste, but it also has health benefits, such as vital minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. However, algae should be ingested moderately because of its high iodine concentration.
Tofu Alternatives
Solid tofu absorbs spices and marinades, like vegan fish broth, particularly well because of its relatively mild flavor. When combined with ground algae and crispy breading, tofu may be made into a delectable alternative to fish fingers. It can also be used to make animal-free fish burgers or fillets.
Vegan Fish Stocks and Sauces
Dried mushrooms and algae can generate plant-based fish stock, while soy sauce, miso paste, algae, and other carefully balanced ingredients form a delectable vegan fish sauce. Both of these recipes can be used to make Asian soups and marinades.
Redefining Plant-Based Foods
Did you know you can make carrots taste like salmon and tomatoes like tuna? With the proper preparation and marinade, the flavors and textures of plant-based foods can be transformed to mimic seafood tastes and textures. A quick internet search will tell you exactly how to make your plant-based staples taste like your favorite seafood dishes.
Common Vegan Alternatives
You will likely find many ready-made seafood alternatives online or at your favorite vegan food store.
These are usually frozen and use plant-based ingredients to help you create dishes that you love without the need for any animal-sourced products. Vegan seafood alternatives commonly include caviar, fish sticks, shrimp, prawns, and even calamari!
Final Thoughts on Can Vegans Eat Seafood
Fish is abundant in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, iodine, and selenium and is a valuable source of these nutrients. However, it is still banned from vegan and other vegetarian diets for health, ecological, moral, or personal reasons.
Certain types of plant-based diets, however, may allow for the consumption of fish, such as mussels, oysters, clams, and scallops. However, these foods are still barred from a strict vegan diet.
Ultimately, whether or not you should eat fish as part of a plant-based diet is a matter of personal taste and values. But, if you want to follow a vegan diet, for whichever reasons you choose, you must abstain from eating all animal products, including any type of seafood.
Related content: Do Vegetarians Eat Fish?
