As with any diet, there are often many questions about what foods are off-limits. Sure, vegetarians do not eat meat, but can they eat fish? Do vegetarians allow themselves to eat fish?
The quick and easy answer to this question is – no.
If a vegetarian wants to eat fish and other seafood, they become a pescatarian. So, when fish is added to a diet, it is no longer vegetarian.
What is a Pescatarian? A pescatarian typically follows a diet of vegetables, fruit, grains, dairy, and anything from the sea! They choose vegetarianism with the inclusion of fish. For some, it is the best of both worlds.
Jump to Section [Hide]
Are There Any Vegetarian Alternatives to Fish?
People who want to avoid eating fish may purchase ready-made alternatives or try to make fish dishes with home substitutes.
Below is a list of 8 fish alternatives and ways that someone can use them to replicate certain popular fish dishes.
- Banana blossom fish
- Carrot salmon
- Seitan scampi and prawns
- Jackfruit tuna
- Vegan fish sticks and fillets
- Tofu fish
- Mushroom fish
- Garbanzo bean fish-less
The Advantages of Adding Fish to a Vegetarian Diet
Although plant-based diets provide plenty of nutritional value, they also have their fair share of deficiencies.
Those who completely eliminate meats and other animal products from their diet often find they lack specific vitamins and nutrients.
Adding fish to a vegetarian diet is an easy and effective way to ensure your body gets everything it needs.
Many vegetarians find it easier to add fish to their diet rather than animal flesh and other products from land animals.
Adding fish to your plant-based diet ensures that you are consuming:
- Omega-3s: these fatty acids are found in fish, nuts, seeds, and other foods. They are essential for supporting both heart and brain health.
- Protein: Sure, there are vegetable and plant-based proteins to choose from if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. If you are willing to add fish, you can make it that much easier to consume more lean protein throughout your day.
- B Vitamins: Vitamins like B12 are essential for many of your body’s processes. Unfortunately, it is impossible to source this vitamin from plants, but it is available in many types of seafood.
Is it Healthy to Eat Fish?
There is no perfect diet, and it is essential to understand how well a diet fits your lifestyle before incorporating its habits and practices.
Vegetarians and pescatarians have little to worry about while adhering to their dietary restrictions. The most common drawback of these diets is deficiencies in specific vitamins and minerals.
But is it healthy to add too much fish to your diet? Simply stated, it depends on the fish. Larger fish, such as tuna, can contain higher levels of mercury and other toxins. These chemicals usually pose little to no problem when digested in small amounts.
However, if consumed regularly and in large quantities, they can actually poison your body and cause surprising health issues.
Most healthy individuals won’t have to worry about this. However, young children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should be careful when consuming larger fish such as king mackerel, tilefish, swordfish, and sharks.
Most experts agree that one palm-size serving each week is appropriate.
Other fish, like light tuna, are much safer to eat multiple times a week. These fish don’t contain the same high levels of mercury, so you can enjoy them more often while knowing you aren’t consuming too much mercury at any time.
Final Thoughts
Vegetarians who prefer to include fish in their plant-focused diets have a massive selection of dishes and cuisines to choose from.
Whether it’s sushi, fish n’ chips, or just a grilled filet, there is no limit to finding exciting and delicious meals to pair with your favorite vegetarian dishes.
