Vegeterians - Fish!

[Baileysno1]

Would be interested to hear what any veggies on the forum think about my dilema, I've virtually always been a vegeterian in the sense I can't stand eating red meat or poultry I find the texture and taste unbearable and have since being a child. Anyway at sixteen I discovered that it was all the dairy I ate which aggrivated my asthmah so I completely cut it out of my diet and gave up seafood too. This worked well at college and uni because I had time to make tofu curry and I found I had a varied and healthy diet which I felt great on.

However since graduating and starting full time work and having 2 horses on the go my days of chopping up aubergines and mashing advacados are long gone and chips and beans seems to be my staple diet, I've put on a few pounds and altho not fat feel out of my comfort zone a bit and feel tired on a diet of carbs and I know I cant go on like this.

Sooooo toying with the idea of allowing myself to eat seafood again, discussed with OH he thinks its a good idea and will make eating out easier, I'm invisaging tuna sandwiches and prawn and veg curries, smoked mackrel and salad. But am I selling out do fish really have feelings?

 

[Cahill]

as long as they`re not looking at you it`ll be fine

 

[GinaB]

I must say, I'm not a veggie but I do laugh when people say they vegetarians but they do eat fish. IMO fish is a meat, hence you aren't a 'true' veggie as such. Although, I do think there is another term for ones who cut out all meat apart from fish, I'm sure someone else would know the corrct term.

(Oh, and you might get more replies in soapbox about this query

)

 

[TGM]

I think it all depends on the reasons why you became vegetarian. You say you gave it up because you disliked the taste and texture of red meat and poultry, so if that is the only reason then I can't see why you can't eat fish and seafood (but just don't call yourself a vegetarian

).

I just find the thought of eating any dead body revolting so I don't eat any flesh foods, fish and seafood included, but that it just my own personal choice.

 

[wench]

ditto the above. fish is flesh, same as meat.

If you think about it.... fishing is much more cruel that taking a cow to a slaughterhouse.

 

[huggz]

I'm a veggie & would never consider eating meat or fish, but that's my choice.
I have no problems with eating out either & make interesting meals for myself at home without any difficulty.
If you're not a veggie for ethical, religious or health reasons then surely you are free to choose to eat whatever you want.

I've had friends for over 20 years who didn't realise I didn't eat meat or fish & I'm the only veggie in this house too.

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
Although, I do think there is another term for ones who cut out all meat apart from fish, I'm sure someone else would know the corrct term.

[/ QUOTE ] I think it is 'pescetarian'.

 

[louisewatcham]

As mentioned previously, if you don't mind eating animals but just don't like the taste then go for it! However as a veggie myself I couldn't eat it fish - I think it's just as cruel to let a fish suffocate as it is to kill any other animal. I sympathise with your dilemma though. I cut out a lot of dairy and bread as I found it made me feel bloated and now eat a lot of tofu. However, I have found quite a few tofu recipes that are very quick (less than 20 mins) and easy to cook including one which is wheat, dairy and gluten free, takes 10 mins to do and is really tasty. PM me if you would like the details - its called Five Spice Tofu Stir Fry.

 

[Baileysno1]

Oh no its made it worse now!! I think everyones just covered what I'd been worrying about, yes fish are still meat and I'm not completely comfortable with that, I don't really want to be a half hearted veggeterian that people snigger at lol and although it would open up a whole food group really if I made the effort to cook more healthily within my current diet limitations I'd probably feel better. TBH its probably the diary thing wich is most limting as most places do veggie meals but they're generally lathered in cheese but I can't eat as it makes me ill, so thats not an option. We're shopping tonight and I'm going to make a big effort to get some appiteizing pack up for work, fish free for now

 

[Tempi]

I will only eat organic meet now as i dont agree how some animals are reared/treated before they are slaughtered. However i dont really have a problem with fish for some reason - a fish is a fish in my eyes, i dont really see it as some poor defensless animal thats been badly treated!!

So in answer if i was you id eat fish

 

[kerilli]

the difference with fish is that most of the time they have a really good totally free range (about as free range as it gets!) life and then a dodgy minute or two at the end! as long as the quality of life is there, i think it's fine. they're nothing like as intelligent as mammals, there's no stressful transport to slaughter, queuing up in an abbatoir etc etc. i would eat fish (obv not the endangered ones or badly fished ones) with a clean conscience.
fwiw i was veggie/vegan for ages and became really weak and ill because of it. i then ate just fish for a very long time. there's certain fish i won't eat because i don't agree with how they're fished, or farmed, or with sustainability levels etc, but i think you should start eating certain fish, with a pretty clear conscience.

if you can, just do mind over matter. you NEED to eat some good protein, it's had a great life, don't think any more about it, just eat it. good luck!

 

[kerilli]

p.s. just eating fish = pescatarian.

 

[Malibu]

I am a veggie, well a pescatarian as i eat fish, i watched one of those videos on the internet and i was so sick, i was supposed to have chicken for dinner that night and had one bite, then put the rest in the bin, it made me feel so sick. We only have organis free range meat in our house, organis milk, free range eggs and all veggies are from the local farm shop, if i was ever to eat meat then it would have to be organic, i dont know how people can eat meat not knowing how it was killed or where it s from, it does not magically appear in tesco looking all pretty and yummy, with regards to fish, i do eat it, i love eating it but again we know exactly where it is from and how it was cuaght.

 

[__Annie__]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Although, I do think there is another term for ones who cut out all meat apart from fish, I'm sure someone else would know the corrct term.

[/ QUOTE ] I think it is 'pescetarian'.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats what I am then !!!

Back to OP , do you eat Quorn products? I add these to a jar of low fat sauce (curry, sweet&sour, chilli etc) I like them and it's really helped me to maintain my weight.

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Am a non fish eating vegetarian, with tomato and peppers/chillis allergies! Eat lots of Quorn, it does contain egg though (not a problem to me) and I don't know if it's free range egg or battery - just to throw another spanner in the works!

 

[Blackhawk]

If you eat fish you are not a vegetarian.

A chef at my work used to only offer fish as a veggie option. Grrr.

I'm a veggie because I hate the taste, smell and texture of all meat.

 

[DiablosGold]

I don't eat fish - haven't since I was eight when we got our first goldfish!

If you don't want to eat fish but need something quick - tesco (and prob other supermarkets) do some super veggie ready meals with high protein content.

 

[Serephin]

[ QUOTE ]
Eat lots of Quorn, it does contain egg though (not a problem to me) and I don't know if it's free range egg or battery - just to throw another spanner in the works!

[/ QUOTE ]

nearly all of Quorn products use free range eggs now - the easy way to tell is if the packaging has the Vegetarian Society approved symbol on it then the eggs are free range - if it doesn't they'll be battery farm eggs.