Should I swich to a Pescetarian Vegetarian?

Question

I know real vegetarians do not eat seafood but im only 14 and being a vegetarian is so hard because i live with a family of meat eaters and they go to places like texas roadhouse and tgi friendays. im not going to tell them not to go there just for me. If i decide to do this i will only eat seafood when theres nothing else on the menu i can eat except salad. I will probably stop being a pescetarian and become a lacto-ovo vegetarian like i am now when i move out and can decide where to eat.
So do you think I shoould do it?

im not going to eat vegetarian when there are no other options im going to eat pescetarian when there are no other options

Answer 1

I think if it's between giving up or going pescatarian, pescatarian is the way to go. Otherwise, try as hard as you can to stay vegetarian!! Others will look up to you for sticking to your beliefs, and you'll be a lot healthier!!

Also, I had that same problem. Over time, my family all saw how much healthier I was eating than them, and my mom already went vegan!! My brother and sister are both trying vegetarian. And one of my friends even went veg! Trust me, you're a great influence if you just stick with it.

Answer 2

Very difficult question. Its not easy to have 14 years old, because your parents have the power to decide for you. I really understand what you feel. Try to ask your parents to read books about vegetarism (not recipe books, but animals rights book, like "a diet for a new america" from John Robbins). They will maybe understand better why you do this choice. In every restaurant you can get (sometimes its difficult) vegetarian meal if you go in the kitchen and explain to the cooker what you can eat and what you dont eat as a vegetarian. They always can do for you a plate of rice, or potatos, or pasta, with vegetables and serve you a fresh fruits plate as dessert. You wont get un-heathy to do that. Just make sure at home to have enough equilibred food. Eat as much as you can fresh vegetables and fruits.
More important than the diet is to not forget "why" you want be vegetarian. Then when you will get "adult", you will have the liberty to decide for yourself.

Answer 3

That's a tough situation. If your parents will not buy you any vegetarian meat alternatives (beans, tofu, tempeh, even "fake meat" products), it'll be almost impossible to be vegetarian and healthy.

You should put your own health first. If it is impossible to eat a healthy, balanced vegetarian diet because you live under your parent's roof, there is nothing you can do about it. You should eat in order to maintain your health and make sure you get all the nutrients you need.

If you do start to eat seafood, you will no longer be vegetarian; however, you don't have to feel guilty over a label. Circumstances are that you simply cannot eat vegetarian even if you would really like to be one and feel you are one in your heart. Don't feel guilty about the label and that you can't call yourself vegetarian if it just isn't possible for you at the moment.

You can always try to talk with your parents; instead of anger and ranting you can just try reasoning and politeness, ask if they will try to buy you a variety of beans and nuts, or a tray of tofu along with their groceries.

It'll be easier once you are 16 and can make your own income and drive. As soon as I began to work I began to shop for myself, before then I had a hard time eating vegetarian all the time.

While waiting until you move out makes sense, you should prepare yourself for reality as well. You'll always come across situations where it might be hard to stick to a vegetarian diet, or you might get criticism from others, or worse, you might get bullied or feel forced to eat meat. Just stay strong and try to reasonably come up with solutions to situations before you are in them.

As for when you go out, most restaurants will customize at least some of the food they offer so it is vegetarian. You can specifically ask that your burrito be made with beans only, no meat. You can always order cheese fries and a side salad or something and eat before you go out. Your whole life you will be faced with going out and eating in restaurants, either on dates or with friends or with coworkers, so it's good to figure out how you'll handle the situation in advance.

Good luck, and do what is best for you. Nobody can make that decision for you, ultimately.

Answer 4

Being a vegetarian is hard for a lot of people- I find it hard personally because I don't always have the money to eat well (nor the talent/desire to cook a lot of healthy dishes). I think if you're OK with eating fish, then that's your choice...but what if you go out to eat and there's no fish on the menu? Or you go to a family gathering and there's only chicken? Or a BBQ and there's only red meat? It's a challenge being vegetarian, but I think it's a worthwhile one.

**I agree that your health does come first though if it comes down to that.

Answer 5

Do whatcha gotta do.
You can always ask if they'll throw something together for ya before you go and order seafood... usually every restaurant has something vegetarian on it... I've never had a prob.

Answer 6

If you feel eating fish is right for you, then do it.

Please do NOT call yourself a vegetarian, though. "Pescetarians" are not vegetarians. They are omnivores.

Answer 7

"pescetarianism" does NOT equal vegetarianism.
please, anyone who eats fish is not a vegetarian. when will people stop linking those two terms. vegetarianism is a real term, pescetarianism, however, is not. seafood is still meat. that means if you become a "pescetarian" it still means you're a meat-eater.

vegetarianism is not hard. have you even tried it out?
there is plenty of delicious and nutritious vegetarian food.
you're 14, you can start learning how to cook your own food. it's easier that way.

Answer 8

Actually most of the world's cultures that have been vegetarian for centuries are pesco-vegetarians...India,Japan, Phillipines, China. Some are both pollo (poultry) and pesco.

Modern cultures call them "flexitarian vegetarians". "Strict" vegetarians are few and far between. You really only find them in ancient cultures and they usually are vegetarians because of their religious beliefs. Modern day "strict" vegetarians are just "wannabes" with all the processed "fake" meat they look for, supplements they take, and political agendas they promote.

I'm a flexitarian vegetarian ... only 20% of my diet is "meat" and I limited myself to seafood and fish which I can harvest myself from my "front yard". On RARE occasions I MAY have lean red meat 2-3 times a year.

Pesco-vegetarianism is the healthiest kind around. The Japanese have the healthiest diet around ... http://www.buzzle.com/articles/worlds-healthiest-diet.html

I spend a lot of time in the orient, that's were I caught the flexitarian vegetarian fever. 128 Million Japanese can't be wrong.

Good luck and avoid "strict" vegetarianism ... unhealthy and time consuming. Enjoy life and your friends.

Answer 9

Sounds like a great idea. A pescetarian diet is one of the healthiest diets in the world. Most vegetarians out side the US and the usual V&V fanatics, do eat fish and seafood.

Another option woulld be, try a flexitarian diet.
http://www.fitnessandfreebies.com/health/flexitarian.html

Answer 10

No, if you find it hard keep trying, nuts are good scource of protein.