Going Pescatarian: What are the Benefits, and Should You Do It? 

Keto, vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian. There are so many ways that people choose to nourish their bodies, each with different health and environmental benefits. Some people will choose a specific diet due to allergies or other medical reasons, some to live a healthier lifestyle, and some for environmental or ethical reasons. Keep in mind that lifestyle and diet are very personal choices, and what works for one person may not work for another.  

One diet/lifestyle that often isn’t talked about as much as some others is the pescatarian diet. If you’ve never heard of being pescatarian or are considering starting a pescatarian lifestyle, here are some things you should know.  

What Does Being Pescatarian Mean? 

Being pescatarian is quite similar to being vegetarian in that both diets omit the consumption of meat. The difference is that while vegetarians won’t eat meat from any animal, pescatarians will still eat seafood. This means that dishes including chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and all other land animals are all cut out. There are no requirements in terms of the amount of seafood that can be consumed in order to be considered pescatarian.  

Pescatarians can enjoy a wide range of delicious seafood meals. Whether your preference is shrimp cocktail on the patio of your favorite restaurant or you’re looking for live Maine lobster for sale to cook at home, transitioning to a pescatarian diet by no way means missing out on having delicious food.  

Why Go Pescatarian 

For some, going pescatarian may be solely a taste preference; some people just don’t like the taste of meat but do enjoy fish. For others, choosing to adopt a pescatarian diet can be a great way to slowly transition your diet from eating meat to going entirely vegetarian or vegan. It can also be beneficial for people who want to eat a vegetarian or vegan diet but struggle to consume enough plant-based protein.  

Health Benefits 

Having seafood in your diet is an excellent way of getting in Omega 3 fatty acids. While omega 3’s can be found in nuts, seeds, and various supplements, seafood is the best way to consume them. Omega 3 fats are important for heart health and can also help keep your skin and hair looking smooth and glowing.   

Like with any healthy diet, it’s important to focus on incorporating a wide range of foods and nutrients. Before starting a new diet or lifestyle, it’s always best to consult your doctor to make sure that you’re continuing to get the proper amounts of nutrients for your specific body. This is especially important if you have any underlying health conditions.  

Environmental Benefits 

In the past several years, more people have become aware of the significant environmental toll that meat production has on the environment. The fishing industry produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than all the other meat industries, which is why going pescatarian can help significantly shrink your carbon footprint. It also takes a lot less water and produces less pollution to get fish from the water to your plate.