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Alba Otero
Writer“Observe, listen, and reflect” is my journalistic mantra. This philosophy guides me daily and ensures I produce quality journalism. My restlessness has led me explore new areas, such as sustainability and the energy transition, which are crucial to our future. In addition, I’ve also dabbled in street photography, an art that allows me to capture the essence of journalism in action.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Transitioning to a vegetarian diet overnight can be challenging, especially since meat is so deeply integrated into many cultures. This change involves much more than simply removing certain ingredients from meals. For many people, moving to a meat-free diet requires finding a middle ground. An interesting approach, known as pescetarianism, is gaining popularity and involves reducing meat consumption while still consuming fish.
Fish is allowed. A pescetarian diet excludes red meat and poultry but allows fish and seafood. Some pescatarians also choose to incorporate eggs and dairy into their diets.
Benefits. This approach combines the antioxidants found in a plant-based diet with the complete proteins and omega-3 fatty acids provided by fish, according to Women’s Health. Moreover, vitamin B12–a nutrient that is challenging to obtain from a strict plant-based diet–can be easily fulfilled with just one serving of fish.
A Harvard Health study highlights that fish also supplies vitamin D, iron, selenium, and zinc. All these nutrients are essential for the body’s proper functioning. Additionally, there’s growing evidence that the pescetarian diet is associated with lower health risks.
Side effects. One main risk of starting a pescetarian diet is the potential for excessive mercury consumption. This pollutant is found in large and long-lived fish. For this reason, Women’s Health recommends eating fish and seafood such as salmon, sardines, cod, and clams.
Is there another option? There’s an alternative known as flexitarianism. Both diets aim to reduce meat consumption and promote a more plant-based diet. However, there’s a key difference. Pescetarianism completely excludes red meat and poultry, while flexitarianism allows for a more flexible approach.
Flexitarianism doesn’t eliminate any food group but instead encourages limiting meat consumption on a voluntary basis, according to Mayo Clinic. This option is ideal for those seeking to improve their diet without strict restrictions, enabling them to tailor their choices to their personal habits and circumstances.
A growing trend. Public figures, such as Harry Styles, Victoria Beckham, an Ben Stiller, are increasingly adopting pescetarianism. Their reasons range from health benefits to sustainability, ethics, and animal welfare.
What started as an occasional choice among celebrities is beginning to influence wider consumption habits. Pescetarianism is establishing itself as an intermediate option within the spectrum of diets that reduce or eliminate meat, reflecting a broader interest in sustainable and plant-based food choices.
Image | Giovanna Gomes
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