Vegetarianism and pescatarianism are both dietary and lifestyle choices that involve the exclusion of certain types of animal products from the diet. While there are some similarities between these two choices, there are also some significant differences that set them apart.
In this post, we will look at some of the similarities and differences, including what they are, as well as the benefits of each diet.
- What is a Vegetarian?
- What is a Pescatarian?
- The Differences Between Vegetarian and Pescatarian
- Vegetarian vs Pescetarian Health
- Environmental Impact
- Vegetarian vs Pescatarian Benefits
What is a Vegetarian?
Vegetarianism is a diet that excludes meat, poultry, and fish, but may include other animal products such as dairy and eggs. There are several different types of vegetarianism, including lacto-ovo vegetarianism (which includes dairy and eggs), lacto vegetarianism (which includes dairy but not eggs), and ovo vegetarianism (which includes eggs but not dairy). Vegetarians may choose to follow a plant-based diet for a variety of reasons, including health, environmental, and ethical concerns.
What is a Pescatarian?
Pescatarianism is a dietary and lifestyle choice that includes the consumption of fish and other seafood, but excludes the consumption of other types of meat. Pescatarians may also consume dairy, eggs, and other animal products. Pescatarianism is often motivated by health concerns, as well as a desire to reduce one’s environmental impact by eating fewer land animals. Some pescatarians may also include fish and seafood in their diet for cultural or personal reasons.
The Differences Between Vegetarian and Pescatarian
One of the main differences between vegetarianism and pescatarianism is the extent to which animal products are excluded from the diet. Vegetarians exclude all meat, poultry, and fish, while pescatarians exclude meat but include fish and seafood in their diet. This means that pescatarians may have a wider range of dietary options compared to vegetarians, as they can include fish and seafood in their diet in addition to plant-based foods. However, it is worth noting that some vegetarians may choose to include certain types of seafood in their diet, such as shellfish, which are not considered to be meat.
Another key difference between these two choices is the motivation behind them. Vegetarians and pescatarians may have a variety of reasons for their dietary and lifestyle choices, including health, environmental, and ethical concerns. For example, a person might become a vegetarian for health reasons, such as to lower their risk of certain diseases, or to improve their overall health and well-being. On the other hand, a person might become a pescatarian for a combination of reasons, such as health concerns, a desire to reduce their environmental impact, or personal or cultural reasons.
Vegetarian vs Pescetarian Health
In terms of health benefits, both vegetarianism and pescatarianism can be healthy if they are well-planned and nutritionally balanced. Vegetarian diets can be rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, which are all sources of important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A well-planned vegetarian diet can provide all the nutrients that the body needs to function properly. However, it is important for vegetarians to carefully plan their diets to ensure that they are getting enough protein, iron, and other nutrients that may be more difficult to obtain from a plant-based diet. For example, vegetarians may need to include sources of plant-based protein, such as beans, lentils, tofu, and tempeh, in their diet to meet their protein needs. They may also need to include sources of iron, such as fortified cereals, dark leafy greens, nuts, and seeds, to help prevent iron deficiency anemia.
Pescatarian diets can also be healthful if they include a variety of plant-based foods, as well as seafood, which is a good source of protein and other nutrients. Seafood is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health, and it is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D and selenium. However, it is worth noting that some types of seafood can be high in mercury, which can be harmful to the body in large amounts. Pescatarians should choose seafood options that are low in mercury, such as salmon, sardines, and trout, and limit their intake of high-mercury options, such as shark and swordfish.
In terms of overall health benefits, both vegetarianism and pescatarianism have been linked to a number of potential health benefits. For example, both vegetarian and pescatarian diets have been shown to be associated with a lower risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. However, it is worth noting that the health benefits of these diets may depend on the specific foods that are included, as well as other factors such as physical activity, stress levels, and overall lifestyle.
Environmental Impact
In terms of environmental impact, both vegetarian and pescatarian diets can have a lower environmental impact compared to diets that include meat, particularly if they are based on locally-grown, seasonal, and minimally-processed foods. However, it is worth noting that some types of seafood can have a higher environmental impact than others, due to factors such as overfishing and habitat destruction. Therefore, pescatarians who are concerned about the environmental impact of their diet may choose to focus on sustainably-sourced seafood options.
Vegetarian vs Pescatarian Benefits
In terms of potential benefits, both vegetarianism and pescatarianism have been linked to a number of potential health, environmental, and ethical benefits.
Health Benefits
As mentioned previously, both vegetarian and pescatarian diets have been shown to be associated with a lower risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Vegetarian diets can be rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, which are all sources of important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A well-planned vegetarian diet can provide all the nutrients that the body needs to function properly. Pescatarian diets can also be healthful if they include a variety of plant-based foods, as well as seafood, which is a good source of protein and other nutrients. Seafood is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health, and it is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D and selenium.
Environmental Benefits
Both vegetarian and pescatarian diets can have a lower environmental impact compared to diets that include meat, particularly if they are based on locally-grown, seasonal, and minimally-processed foods. Meat production has been linked to a number of environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, and deforestation. By excluding meat from the diet, vegetarians and pescatarians can help to reduce their environmental impact. However, it is worth noting that some types of seafood can have a higher environmental impact than others, due to factors such as overfishing and habitat destruction. Therefore, pescatarians who are concerned about the environmental impact of their diet may choose to focus on sustainably-sourced seafood options.
Ethical Benefits
Vegetarianism is often motivated by ethical concerns about the treatment of animals, while pescatarianism may be motivated by a combination of ethical, environmental, and health concerns. By excluding animal products from their diet, vegetarians and pescatarians can help to reduce their support for industries that may have negative impacts on animals, such as factory farming and animal testing.
See also:
- Vegetarian vs Vegan vs Pescatarian – 3 Different Plant-Based Diets
- Vegan vs Vegetarian – Health and more
Lance has been passionate about the plant-based diet and we have been following a whole food plant-based diet for over 5 years. We focus on health, natural healing, weight management, animal rights, and the health of the planet and environment by focusing on whole plant-based foods and sustainable practices.
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