Can Vegetarians Eat Fish?
Vegetarians in the simplest sense do not eat meat. What is meat though? It would seem that cows, pigs and sheep as well as game would be included in the category of meat. Poultry would be considered meat by most people, but some would say that it is a separate category. A third point of view indicates that for a product to qualify as meat that it would have had to come from a mammal. In that case, fish and shellfish would not be considered meat. The discussion over fish and its inclusion in a vegetarian diet continues. The answer to the question about whether or not a vegetarian can eat fish lies with the vegetarian in question.
Benefits of Fish
If a vegetarian excludes meat from his diet because of health reasons he very well may eat fish. While red meat and even poultry is nutritious, it also contains high amounts of fat and often cholesterol. Most seafood is also very nutritious. It is an excellent source of protein, iron and antioxidants. Fish is low in fat and ‘bad’ cholesterol, but it contains good fats and ‘good’ cholesterol. A vegetarian can eliminate the health risks associated with pork, chicken and beef, but still maintain the rich nutrition that those meats contain. The one drawback to seafood is the high mercury content found in many species. Do not make fish your sole source of protein.
Seafood is also very versatile. Fish can be braised, broiled, fried or sautéed. It works well in Mexican, Chinese and American cooking. Shellfish work well in soups, salads and rice dishes. Seafood also makes good appetizers and party trays. If a vegetarian is concerned with his health and nutrition then fish is probably on the menu because it is such a rich source of so many valuable nutrients. It scores extra points by being tasty and easy to cook and incorporate into all kinds of meals.
Are Fish Animals?
If a vegetarian avoids meat because of their sympathy for the animals then it is difficult to say whether or not that person would be interested in eating fish. Fish are animals but they are in a lower class than mammals such as cows and pigs. They are less developed and it is arguable that they do not feel pain in the way that mammals do. At the same time, fish do live in much the same way as the cuter mammals do. They struggle for their own survival. Depending on his own criteria for what constitutes meat, an ethical vegetarian may or may not eat fish.
If you are planning to prepare a vegetarian meal the safest bet is to ask before serving fish. If you are a vegetarian trying to make up your mind about whether or not to eat fish, you have a few points to consider. Fish are living creatures, but they are not on the same level as most animals. Fish and other seafood provide excellent nutrition to supplement a vegetarian diet. Even if you are excluding meats because of their negative effects on health, fish are a great option for adding protein to your diet.
