Vegitarians and vegans only!!!! (But others may answer if they choose!)?

Question

if you are a vegitarian, do you eat fish?

im a vegitarian, and i have read that some people consider fish as meat and not to eat it, but other vegitarians eat fish. i dont want to eat fish, but because it is a staple food in my carnivorus meat-munching family and we have it twice a week, i cant help it.

I would like to know from different vegitarian/vegan perspectives on eating fish, and also, what can i do around my non vegitarian family. dinner ideas? help me, cause ive only been a vegitarian for a couple of months and ive been having some trouble.

Answer 1

There are several types of vegetarians and types of vegetarian diets:

Mostly vegetarian - This is a good beginning for those who wish to switch gradually to an all vegetarian diet. Usually, one starts by removing all red meats from their diet. Then gradually remove poultry and fish. Those who choose to continue their vegetarian journeys may find themselves removing all animal products (including milk, cheese, eggs, etc.) and eating only plant-based foods. They become "vegans."

Lacto-Vegetarian - A vegetarian diet that includes dairy products (milk, butter, yogurt, etc.) but not eggs.

Macrobiotic - Usually vegan, but may contain animal products (always ask). A dietary & medical philosophy, balance of yin & yang. Emphasizes natural, whole, locally grown plant foods.

Ova-Vegetarian - A vegetarian diet that includes eggs, might or might not include dairy.

Pescetarian - A term for a vegetarian diet that includes seafood but not meat or fowl.

Vegan - A pure & strict vegetarian diet that excludes dairy, eggs, or any animal ingredients. Some vegan diets do include honey.

Vegan Rawist or Raw Foodist - A pure vegetarian diet that consumes foods in its raw, uncooked form.

Buddhist vegetarian - Excludes animal products but some allow for milk and (unfertilized) eggs. Many Chinese Buddhist do not use leeks, garlic, or onions.

Frutarian - A diet that consists of only fruits eaten in the raw form.

Only you can decide which kind of vegetarianism is right for you. Check out various vegetarian websites for recipes, tips, and general advice on how to deal with changing to this kind of lifestyle, especially in a "carniverous" family. :-)

Answer 2

Because you are home with your family, I would suggest yielding on the fish issue. Often younger teen vegetarians don't study diet and health and you do need to eat good food. You can ditch the fish when you have found alternatives and/or become and adult and leave the nest. The easiest way to be veg is to have fake meat products on hand. Microwave them and replace the carnivorous portion of the family dinner. They can be expensive, so shop around. Sadly (because they are an unethical company), Wal-Mart has the best prices for fake meats. Don't get bent out of shape being vegetarian, you risk becoming frustrated and going back to eating animals and/or making vegetaranism look silly. Quick easy meals can be found in the "How it all Vegan" and "In the Garden of Vegan" cookbooks. Do your best, grab a bunch of cookbooks from the library and do the best you can. Every meal you eat make the world a little better and more than makes up for an occasional piece of fish.

Answer 3

First of all I am not vegetarian or vegan. However, the love of my life does not eat meat, but does eat seafood. Thirty odd years ago when the decision was made to not eat meat the family was"what will I feed you when you come for dinner" So my love, under duress decided to eat fish. A decision that has been regretted. We still do not buy fish that are indangered or tuna(killing of dolphins). I don't know if your question is what would you eat at family dinners. You can stick with the side dishes and salads. Or what to serve family that comes to dinner. You could serve a wonderful vegetarian dinner and let them deal with it or you could prepare meat for family and not partake yourself. I have eaten many meatless meals and enjoyed them greatly. I would highly recommend a magazine called "vegetarian times" lots of good recipes in there. Cooking the occasional meal for my love is a fun thing to do. Oh, I was told to tell you....if you are serious about this....go vegan.

Answer 4

By definition a vegetarian does not eat fish. However, since you are new to the vegetarian lifestyle you should not feel bad if you eat fish. Adapting to this diet change when the rest of the family does not makes it difficult. Fish is rich in omega 3 fatty oils and provides essential vitamins and proteins. Until you learn to get these from other sources you should not beat yourself up over eating fish. Over time, you can gradually make the switch and eliminate eating fish as well. Good luck - hang in there and hope your family respects your desire to continue being a vegetarian.

Answer 5

Honestly hun, a real vegetarian does not eat fish. Fish are alive and they are killed to eat. They are meat. So if you want to be a real vegetarian you gotta give that up for good. That's just the way it is. You should go to the grocery store and look in the frozen breakfast aisle. There are so many alternatives for meat. While your family eats fish you could eat something else. That way they won't sit there and feel like you're starving or something.

Answer 6

I am a vegetarian and I don't eat fish. There are many kinds of vegetarians and I think you are a pasco vegetarian. It really depends on your belief, i don't eat fish but I do eat eggs and some vegetarian don't eat eggs. I don't care if you eat fish because its what you want to eat, i only encourage you to make your own decisions based on what you believe.
When i have dinner with my family we always have something that has no meat. No time My family had pasta with meatballs. I only ate the pasta which was totally vegetarian. Sometimes when there are no vegetarian dinner then I make my own dinner and still eat with my family. good luck

Answer 7

i don't eat fish, but as you said some do. it is all a matter of personal preference but if you want to stay healthier longer start to cut back on the amount of meat that you eat. and talk to your family about why you are a vegetarian and see if you guys could have no meat for a meal once a week/month, and if they agree try to figure out what to eat instead of the meat. there are veggie grillers and hot dogs you might find in some stores that you might want to try and see if you like them, there is also some veggie chicken that is available. if you have any questions try to contact a Seventh-Day Adventist church in you area, and talk to the pastor about it, or you can contact me. hope this helps you and good job on trying to be a vegetarian.

Answer 8

Vegetarians do not eat fish. People can call themselves whatever they like but it does not make it true.

If a person eats no other meat but fish, they would be called a pescetarian.

The person above is wrong. Vegans do not eat fish either. Vegans are strict vegetarians that actually avoid ALL animal products including milk, eggs, honey, leather, beeswax, wool etc.

Answer 9

Well, think what you like, but fish is THE healthiest food around, healthier than any vegetarian food or other meats. The peoples in the world who tend to live longest are those who eat plenty of fish.

Answer 10

If you want to be a true vegitarian than you won,t eat anything with a face or anything that comes from an animal like milk or cheese or anything cooked in animal fat. Are you sure you,re a real vegitarian or are you just trying to make yourself think you are?