Ad. Whether you are a vegetarian that’s considering making changes to your diet or you are looking for healthier food in your life, being a pescatarian is something that can strengthen your reserves if you need to eat meat (but without being like a carnivore). Being a pescetarian is similar to a vegetarian diet, except that you are now eating fish and seafood. Food like fish is a staple for something like the Mediterranean diet and is a healthy addition, but for those who are considering going from vegan or vegetarian to a pescatarian diet, what do they need to consider?
Eating Sustainably
Not all seafood is sourced sustainably. When it comes to something like commercial fishing, there are very strict guidelines. The best way to make sure that you are eating sustainably is to go for sustainable providers, for example, you could purchase crab meat from suppliers like Fish for Thought or other suppliers that opt for a more sustainable approach to catching.
Being Aware of Mercury Levels
Mercury levels are not necessarily something that we should panic about, but if we do ingest too much, it can cause mercury poisoning. However, this isn’t a reason to avoid a pescatarian diet completely. The best approach to ensure you are not consuming too much mercury is by avoiding predatory fish. Swordfish, shark, and king mackerel all have high mercury levels.
Choosing the Right Fish for you
Choosing fish that suits your needs is easier than ever. There is a lot of fish out there that can suit your diet and lifestyle, but also your taste. Fish is something that has a particularly strong taste, which is why you’re better off choosing less potent fish, especially if you are going from being a vegetarian or vegan. A lot of people don’t like strong fish, and choosing something that’s easier on the palate, like cod, is the perfect way to get you started. Choosing the right seafood also depends on your nutritional needs. For example, you may want to have more vitamin D and Omega-3, something like sardines is perfect for this. When it comes to the fishes you should avoid, there are very few, but tuna is one that you may want to limit because of the mercury levels.
Deciding If It Is Worth Your While
A lot of people find that a pescatarian diet is more expensive, especially when changing from a vegan or vegetarian diet. Seafood can be expensive, but you don’t always need to purchase fresh fish; you can find frozen or tinned fish that is just as nutritious. And when you start to feel the benefits of consuming more protein, you may find that your energy levels increase.
A lot of people choose a pescatarian diet because it helps them be more energetic and gets them more protein, but this is why there are a few things that you need to consider before you make that change, just to make sure that you are doing it in the right way.