Pescetarian

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Pescetarianism (also spelled pescatarianism) is the practice of following a diet that includes fish or other seafood, but not the flesh of other animals. Those on pescetarian or semi-vegetarian diets may define meat only as mammalian flesh and may identify with vegetarianism. Most pescetarians maintain a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet with the addition of fish and shellfish.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The term "pescetarian" is a neologism formed as a portmanteau of the Italian word "pesce" ("fish") and the English word "vegetarian". The English-language pronunciation of both "pescetarian" and its variant "pescatarian" is /ˌpɛskɪˈtɛəriən/, with the same /sk/ sequence present in pescato (Italian: "fished").

Diet[edit | edit source]

Pescetarians consume a diet that includes fish and shellfish. Other than fish, pescetarians also eat mainly vegetarian foods such as vegetables, fruit, nuts, grains, beans, eggs, and dairy products.

Health effects[edit | edit source]

Pescetarian diets are often beneficial in reducing the risk of heart diseases, bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and mortality rate from cardiovascular disease. They also help in improving longevity.

Environmental impact[edit | edit source]

Pescetarian diets can be beneficial for the environment as they reduce the demand for livestock as a food source. Overfishing remains a significant concern, and some suggest that fisheries be better managed to make the practice of pescetarianism more sustainable.

See also[edit | edit source]

Pescetarian Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD