Why I Decided To Go Pescatarian Over Quarantine

Growing up in a steak-loving, German household, becoming a pescatarian was not a choice I made lightly. While quarantine was (and is) a period of high-stress and anxiety, I attempted to make the most of this age of disarray by developing a better relationship with both food and my physical health. Being a pescatarian, to me, is being aware of the risks high-fat meats pose on my health, as well as the dangers the meat industry imposes on animal cruelty and the environment. Here are 3 reasons why I went pescatarian over quarantine:

 

Health Benefits

As you probably learned from a health or wellness class, red meats impose a significant threat to your health. They are high in saturated fat and are considered a carcinogen, which means “cancer-causing” to put it bluntly. On top of that, red meat is known to cause significant heart problems and increases your risk of strokes. The Biology major in me desperately wants to explain the reason why meat is a carcinogen, but to put it simply, chemicals from the meat are broken down and have been seen to damage cells and disrupt other cellular processes. Being high in saturated fats, red meat is difficult to digest, so those with digestion issues often experience discomfort.

Having IBS (and probably several other undiagnosed GI issues), red meat never made me feel great, yet I continued to eat it merely because it tasted good and it was easily accessible. Right as I started branching out to other protein sources, such as fish or tofu, I immediately saw a difference in my energy levels and IBS symptoms. According to the American Heart Association, fish such as salmon or tuna, are high in unsaturated fats (the ‘healthy fats’), and omegas, which are vital for maintaining cardiovascular health. While I did crave a hamburger at the start of my pescatarian journey, I find myself now craving veggies or fruits.

Environmental Impacts

While there are many contributors to climate change, there is evidence that shows the meat and dairy industries impose a large threat to climate change through agricultural production and improper land-usage. While it sounds strange, ruminant animals like cattle, emit (or fart LOL) methane as a result of plant digestion. Methane is considered a greenhouse gas, and as these gases continue to accumulate in Earth’s atmosphere, they trap the heat provided from the sun and thus, warm Earth’s surface. By eating pescatarian or vegetarian, you are significantly reducing your greenhouse gas emissions and helping to reduce climate change (Greenhouse Effect).

Animal Cruelty Prevention

According to the Animal Equality International Animal Protection Organization, factory farming is one of the leading causes of animal abuse. As an animal lover (and hopefully future veterinarian), the thought of any form of animal abuse or mistreatment shakes my core. Cattle and other animals, such as chickens or pigs, are fed improper food that mainly consists of byproducts and hormones. This feed is uncostly and causes livestock to gain unhealthy amounts of weight simply to produce more meat for less money. Animals like chickens or pigs are often packed into small pens, without room to move or graze. While I won’t mention the gory details behind the butchering processes, many livestock are slaughtered atrociously, which brings animal cruelty to another level. If you are interested in educating yourself on animal cruelty in America, I suggest you watch Food, Inc!

Get in touch with your mental and physical well-being. If being pescatarian seems like the life for you, then great! Try weaning yourself off meat and incorporating more fruits and veggies. However, if being a pescatarian seems difficult or unrealistic, no problem! Choose a diet that fits your wants and needs, only you know your body best.

 

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

• environmentally friendly
• health
• pescatarian
• vegetarian
• wellness