For those who enjoy a fish dish and are looking to improve their diet pescatarianism may be an option. But what are the benefits? Fish certainly tastes delicious!

What is a Pescatarian Diet?

Pescatarianism is the practise of consuming a diet including fish and seafood, but no meat. The term comes from the Italian word for fish ‘pesce’ and the English term ‘vegetarian’. Many see this as a healthy medium between being a carnivore and vegetarian.

Why Become Pescatarian?

The main advantage of adopting this way of eating is for its health benefits. There’s plenty of reasons why fish is good for you:

Plenty of Protein

Fish is full of protein, which could decrease the risk of heart disease as well as some cancers. A 2012 study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that those who get their protein from fish and plants rather than meat, are less likely to die prematurely. So technically, pescatarianism can make you live longer!

Lots of Vitamins

Many people who enjoy a vegetarian diet find they are lacking in many vitamins and minerals, and end up taking supplements to replenish these deficiencies. Pescatarians are less likely to suffer from this thanks to the goodness of fish.

Did you know, that an average portion of salmon has 100% of an adult’s daily recommended dose of vitamin B-12, it’s high in vitamin D and includes zinc too. Whereas cod and tuna are high in iodine – even if they come out of a tin!

Fish can also add a healthy amount of iron to your diet and therefore pescatarians have a low risk of developing iron deficiency, anaemia.

Full of Fatty Acids

You may think that fat is a bad thing, but don’t worry, this is the good kind. Fish and seafood are full of fatty acids and are a brilliant source of omega-3 and EPAs (eicosapenentaenoic acid) in particular. These are the good types of fat that can help decrease the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, amongst a myriad of other medical conditions.

These fatty acids can lessen the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis, prevent heart attacks and even treat those with depression. Introducing one fish meal into your diet a week can make a significant difference. And here at John Ross Jr. we have plenty of recipes for you to try if you are a novice fish fanatic!

So Why Cut Out Meat?

A delicious steak is a favourite meal for many. But although there are many benefits of eating meat, non-lean red meats are high in saturated fats, choline and carnitine, which can be detrimental to those with heart conditions. Fish and seafood is low in fat and cholesterol, compared to meats in general, so is a great substitute to any diet.

Could pescatarianism be an option for you? There are plenty of different types of fish, so you’ll never get bored. Take a look at a few of our recipes and serving suggestions for some inspiration!