Why would anyone believe that a vegetarian can eat poultry or fish?

Question

Poultry and fish are FLESH foods! What part of the word "vegetarian" don't some people understand?

Answer 1

P****tarian is a bad word in this section! I've had people in my family ask me why I just don't eat fish and chicken,and to just keep avoiding red meat..and I just think to myself "They don't think chickens and fish are animals too?"

Answer 2

This has always annoyed me. I asked a pescaterian about this, and he explained that it is often complicated to explain his food choice, so he just tells people he is a vegetarian to make things simpler. That way, he doesn't have to list the things he doesn't eat. (poultry, beef, pork, etc).

While that is well and good, it makes it difficult on us real vegetarians. When enough pescatarians go around calling themselves vegetarian, they give non-vegs the impression that real vegetarians eat fish - leading to many difficult situations where people try to serve it to us! (Has happened to me more times than I can count!)

And the "do you eat leather, aha!" people on here are really obnoxious. First off - NO. Many of us do not, so it makes you look foolish to assume such. Secondly, vegetarianism is a diet, not a lifestyle, you're thinking of vegans. There are many reasons that someone would be vegetarian, such as health, environment, etc. Each person must choose for themselves where to draw the line. As long as they follow a lacto-ovo or stricter diet, they are not pretending to be something they are not, which is the subject matter of this thread.

Answer 3

I think society has confused some people into thinking that they are close enough to being vegetarian to call theirself one even if they are not. 6 years ago people started calling me a vegetarian even though I was eating tuna at the time. Most of society can't seem to phatom the idea of a person who can avoid eating beef, chicken, and pork. I think that this is a lot of the reason why some people insist on calling themselves something that they are not.

Answer 4

Calling yourself vegetarian is just a name. Whilst it is frustrating to those of us who don't eat any kind of meat it really doesn't matter that much. The only thing you need to worry about is what you are eating and that you are happy doing so.

Answer 5

I don't classify myself, but others have called me vegetarian, because I eat meat maybe once or twice a week, instead of at every meal. My main food is non-animal based, when I go to the grocer my basket is filled with veggies, and 1/2 lb of chicken. I am on this site to look for some good recipes or tips for vegetarian meals.

Answer 6

A true vegetarian would eat nothing but "vegetables". I know of very few people who eat only vegetables. There is such a wider spectrum than just Flesh-Foods and Vegetables. What about food preservatives? so much of what we eat is preserved with chemicals, bacteria and fungi are used to culture many of our foods etc.

Answer 7

They are silly speciesists and can't understand why a person would give a crap about a chicken or a fish. Well, some people actually do. Who'da thunk?

Answer 8

challenging thing. do a search with google and yahoo. that will could help!

Answer 9

I'm a vegetarian and you sound like a snob. For the record, I don't have a problem with killing animals for food - it's in the Bible, so it's not "wrong" per say. Animals don't have a soul. That's not to say they don't suffer or feel - so it should be done as humanely as possible and they should be raised well.
What I have a problem with is the way the industry is raising and killing - sick animals are allowed to be processed as USDA Grade A. Not everyone is guilty of this, but a lot are and I can't guarantee where the meat comes from at my store, so I don't buy it. I don't eat any red meat or poultry. The list of what is allowed for drugs, steroids, hormones, etc... is frightening and I don't want it in my body.
I don't have a problem with seafood. These are cold blooded fish - they don't feel, I don't have a problem eating them. It's a great source of Omega 3's and protein. I love Salmon!
Question for you - do you wear leather shoes? Own a leather handbag? Leather furniture or leather car interior? Don't think you'll eliminate people killing animals if you're willing to support any products made from them.

Answer 10

This question seems to rival, "can a vegetarian eat animal crackers" for frequency of times asked.