Fish Eating "Vegetarians"

I feel the need to ask but how can someone call themself a vegetarian if they consume fish ?


"Vegetarians" who eat fish, why do you do it ?

**Rant** Yeah, why is it that when you tell someone you're a vegetarian they immediately ask "so do you eat chicken then"?  As if chicken isn't meat because its white or something!  I really don't get it.

I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian, not a pescetarian, but I don't have ethical feelings about seafood. I can look into a cow's eyes and pet its head, but I cannot relate to a crab, for example, in any way. It has an exoskeleton - it's like a bug.

I would not eat a bug, though, because I think it's icky, not because it makes me feel guilty. And I feel the same way about fish/seafood. I don't feel bad for them, but the thought makes me uncomfortable.

I've been veggie since I was a kid, and never ate much fish/seafood in those first 11 years of my life, either. (Fishsticks a few times?) But if that had not been the case, and I was accustomed to eating seafood before becoming vegetarian later in life, I might continue to eat them because they're healthy for you. 

vegetarians don't eat fish.      (or dairy... eggs...  processed foods.)

i don't know where folks get off that they're vegetarian when they do those things.

     This forum is supposed to be a place where people can share their views and ask questions without fear of judgement or criticism. Perhaps phrases such as "where folks get off that they're vegetarian when they do those things" should best be expressed in a way that is less combative.  Perhaps you meant to say that people who eat fish are not true vegetarians, and that all vegetarians who eat processed food, dairy, and/or eggs should practice a whole foods vegan method of eating, which is what you seem to be advocating.  
*edited for spelling*

People who do not eat fish or eggs are vegans. People who do not eat processed foods or the latter are whole food vegans. It's as simple as that.

I've known many "vegetarians" who still eat procsessed junk foods (chips, candy, pizza, etc) and yet, they don't eat meat - so they're still vegetarian.

I completely agree with tinabear-I do not consider myself a true vegetarian--know I only eat fish and chicken but avoid other types of meat. But it is somewhat of an insult or something to "true" vegetarians when I simply say I don't eat meat (I mean red meat)--no one is more high or mighty than the other--it shouldn't be about labels, it's all what you believe in or your own dietary concerns. We shouldn't judge people what they think--but maybe point out your opinion or the true definition of a vegetarian.

Some people are really caught up in the idea that vegetarianism is part of their identity, something that they "are."  To me, it is a way to eat.  Most of the time, I eat a vegetarian diet.  Sometimes, I do not.  But it's a lot easier to just avoid this kind of political controversy by avoiding talking about my food choices as what I "am."  

You can read definitions at ivu.org

Some people consider themselves vegetarian because of moral reasons, and some people only because of health reasons. Not everyone that is a veg cares about saving animals necessarily. Therefore, they don't get too much into labeling, which is kind of silly anyway. 

I eat fish only rarely, but mainly because I am stuck living with my parents and they force me to. I DO NOT touch anything that has been near dairy, eggs, or any other meat product and plan- for health beliefs to consider giving up fish once I move out.

Why do I still call myself a vegetarian? Because I got very tired of explaining what a pescetarian was, and once someone thought I said I was a Presbyterian...

Another major factor in simply saying 'vegetarian' is that I will only eat wild fish that I know exactly where it has come from. We have family on the coast and our fish supply comes from what relatives send, and what my dad catches when we visit. I at least believe that wild fish once or twice a month or so is healthier than flash frozen farmed stuff.  Try explaining this to someone who wants to serve you fish. Especially if they think fried is the only way to cook it.  People have enough trouble figuring out what a vegetarian dish is, throwing another factor into it just makes it even worse. I ended up at an anniversary party where I was assured of vegetarian options (another veggie was coming who didnt eat fish but did eat dairy and canceled at the last minute) The 'vegetarian' options were fried rice (with chunks of chicken in it) and a vegetable stir fry with a beef broth sauce and shrimp. I ate a banana and the party platter vegetables which I had to wait 2 hours of dancing for- for a person who can pass out from hunger in the course of one hour... that is dangerous, and I was almost out, all that saved me was a very big lunch.

It also must be understood that I did not give up meat, dairy and eggs for moral reasons. I gave them up for health reasons, namely hormone and chemical reasons. The stuff injected into cows and chickens is MUCH worse than what fish get into their systems in the wild. Sure, living states and the things done to the animals are horrible, but I find PETA extremist veggies irritating, so until recently I have avoided reading up on that info, and though I find it all very appalling, my main reason for my food choices is contamination.

So, to sum it up, it is easier to be vegetarian to acquaintances than to be a Presbyterian or to be stuck not eating Fish and Chips and getting questioned on why you don't like it (uhh... hydrogenated oils?)  

This whole thing is such an issue because a small number of vegetarians and/or vegans think that they are better than other people because of what they eat.

Don't deny it. It's true.

Whole food vegan is the most "elite". If you're pescetarian, you're "working your way up".  Vegetarians are a respected middle ground.

So guess what? If you eat chicken, you're not allowed in the club. POSER! 

Geez, when I was a kid and I didn't like what was on my plate, I just got called a picky eater.  Maybe I'll just start calling myself that, since god forbid I might misuse a label or confuse a non-vegetarian.

If the chicken comment was directed at me, I suggest you reread that paragraph. I did not eat chicken. I ate a banana. aka hunger pangs and nearly passed out, which has happened a few too many times for me to be pleased about. Most people say eat the food and pick out the meat- I'd rather starve and wake up on the floor.

WHO CARES!!!

Please oh please let me be a thread killer and let this one die.... 

this is exactrly the reason why i am uncomfortable with the fact that many "vegetarians" eat fish. people notice this and then somehow think that i eat fish or even poultry and offer it to me. it is not really that big deal, just an unnecessary confusion.

I really don't like the attitude a lot of vegetarians take toward non-vegetarians, not eating meat does not make   you a better person then someone who does nor does it give you the right to look down on others. I actually think a lot more people would be open to vegetarianism if they were not confronted by this attitude.

Original Post by fancypandy:

I really don't like the attitude a lot of vegetarians take toward non-vegetarians, not eating meat does not make   you a better person then someone who does nor does it give you the right to look down on others. I actually think a lot more people would be open to vegetarianism if they were not confronted by this attitude.

 It's sad people cannot make a decision based on their own convictions, morals, and desires for better health, but instead base life decisions on what others think.

I think thats what I meant  

I think I'm an exception to the people who actually give themselves labels..

I call myself a vegan because (like other people have mentioned) it's easier than going into detail about what I will eat and won't eat. When I said I was vegetarian, *most* people assumed I didn't eat animals. When I say I'm vegan, *most* people assume I don't eat animals or anything that came from an animal (i.e. at least dairy and eggs and foods containing such - I don't bother explaining about the honey or gelatin or sugar, etc..). That way, when I'm being super picky at a restaurant or not eating much when I'm out with people, they know why and we don't have to get into a whole conversation about it, which makes a lot of people uncomfortable anyway. I'm lucky, half of my friends are veg*s and my deer hunting meat eating family understands my decision. I do not look down upon people who consume meat. I do not think of myself as better than anyone else. I simply use the label so that I don't have to do much explaining. I've actually gotten to the point where when new people ask me "WHY??" (with the typical horrified face), I simply smile and tell them that it makes me happy and I'd rather not discuss it. People seem to be cool with that. Also, I don't think that *most* vegetarians or vegans think they are better than people who are not veg. I will admit I have met a few vegans who were rude to me when I was vegetarian because I still ate dairy and some eggs (What can I say, I love cheese, which is why I'm on this calorie count website, lol) and it was hurtful. But not all veg*s are on a high horse. I'm living proof!! Heeeeee!!!

That's just my 2 cents though, hehe.

vegetarians don't eat meat...  fish is a  meat last  i checked.