Plenty of people subscribe to a vegetarian diet but sometimes enjoy consuming seafood. But there is a special name for this type of diet, as well as an entirely different set of health benefits. Learn more about the pescatarian diet, its benefits and drawbacks, and which meal kits are suitable for this type of lifestyle below.
What is a Pescatarian Diet?
It’s no coincidence that “pescatarian” sounds like “vegetarian,” because the two diets are similar. While a vegetarian diet involves eating dairy and eggs but no meat or fish, a pescatarian diet includes fish on the menu.
Overall, a pescatarian diet includes mostly plant-based foods. This means fruits and vegetables, legumes and beans, nuts and seeds, and grains, plus dairy and eggs. Of course, pescatarian also means fish; this type of diet also involves eating fish and other seafood.
Some pescatarians also go by the term “pesco-vegetarian” because the two philosophies are so similar. But being a pescatarian has many of the same health benefits of vegetarianism, with the added bonus of a more diverse menu thanks to fish and other types of seafood.
Pescatarians eat saltwater and fresh fish, shellfish, and more, meaning their diets include sufficient omega-3s without the need for supplementation. But with this diet, you’ll also eat a lot of fresh produce as well as dairy, making it a very versatile option, even if you’re aiming to lose weight or cut calories.
Benefits of a Pescatarian Diet
The pescatarian diet matches many of the benefits of a vegetarian diet, as it’s high in fruits and vegetables and plenty of nutrients. Of course, it also has its own unique positive features. Benefits of this diet type include:
- High in omega-3s
- Sufficient protein
- Plenty of variety
- High in fiber
- Low in saturated fat
- Plenty of minerals thanks to shellfish
Because a pescatarian diet only cuts out meat products, there’s still plenty of variety to be had on your plate. Also, consuming a range of shellfish and other seafood ensures you’re getting enough minerals and other nutrients.
You can also rest assured you’re receiving enough omega-3 fatty acids; these are crucial for healthy brains and the growth of hair and nails. At the same time, your diet is low in saturated fat, meaning it’s healthier for your heart to eat fish rather than red meat or other meat types.
Cons of a Pescatarian Diet
When you consume more fish than average, there are unique risks to your health. Here’s more on the disadvantages of adopting a pescatarian diet.
- Fish and seafood are often pricier than meat and other protein alternatives
- Many fish varieties contain potentially harmful pollutants
- Reduced vitamin D and B12 levels
Because many types of fish can contain mercury and other toxic pollutants, pescatarians face a unique conundrum when it comes to consuming their protein. However, a balanced diet with reasonable amounts of fish is generally healthy for most people. Similarly, a varied diet will also make up for other vitamin deficiencies without the need for supplementation.
How Can a Meal Kit Service Help You Get on Track with a Pescatarian Diet?
With a pescatarian diet, you may encounter difficulty finding and purchasing quality fish and seafood. Many supermarkets stock frozen fare, while fresh fish have the highest cost in comparison with all other types of protein.
That means even if you find fresh fish in your local supermarket, it might be prohibitively expensive. But a meal kit service includes all your menu items in one inclusive price, making seafood more accessible and less expensive than the grocery store.
Further, meal kit services will introduce you to new types of foods you may never have tried before. And, you don’t have to scour the internet for recipes as each shipment contains the step-by-step directions you need to cook each item to perfection.
Best Meal Kit Services for a Pescatarian Diet
Although vegetarian diets are accessible and varied, a pescatarian diet is even more so. Therefore, our team of experts has checked out all the meal kit services that are suitable for pescatarians and also offer fresh and unexpected meal options.
To see our top choices, visit our best meal kit services for pescatarian diets page.
