Pescatarian Struggles

kizyl

Hi, I’m new to using an app but overdue to losing the extra 50lbs I packed on over the last year!

It’s been really tough because my boyfriend is a junk food eater so cutting out meat and dairy has been a bit of a struggle (for me, he munches all day and stays skinny, thus is life). It’s been especially challenging trying to get all the protein/energy I need to kickstart working out again without eating meat. Open to any ideas/suggestions from any on a similar path.

Nice to *meet* you all and I am excited for the journey! Good luck everyone.

snowflake954

My husband (now 67) has been pescatarian his entire life--no struggles. What exactly is your problem?

janejellyroll

Pescatarians usually eat dairy (although you may have other reasons for avoiding it, which is fine). A typical pescatarian diet will include meat from fish, dairy, eggs and then -- of course -- all the vegetables, fruits, fungi, nuts, and legumes. It may be a change to meal planning that takes an adjustment, but getting sufficient calories and energy shouldn't be a concern, nor should it significantly limit the amount of "junk food" you're able to enjoy (unless you're talking about stuff like beef jerky).

I haven't had meat, eggs, or dairy for over ten years and my energy is pretty good. Here's a sample menu from today:

Breakfast: Cold brew coffee with homemade pecan/date milk, savory oats with chili paste and soy sauce

Lunch: Wrap with veggie sausage, slaw, and sweet potato

Dinner: Wild rice soup with tempeh

Exercise: Eight mile run mid-morning

Jthanmyfitnesspal

The habit of snacking and drinking beer catches up with most men as they get older! And women, who in general have more efficient bodies, need to learn earlier in life to monitor what they eat if they want to control their weight (free to be you and me!). If you boyfriend cares about you, he should also care about your health and happiness.

One small bright point of quarantining is that you are actually more in control of what you eat-- while eating at any restaurant is somewhat of a wild card. Some people have reduced their time allocated to commuting and now have a little more time. Still, with all the stress of our times, life isn't easy!

Anyway, considering the above, the quarantine presents both challenges and opportunities. It's a great time to grab control of your food and exercise habits. While dropping meat and dairy adds some challenges, there are many other ways to get your protein. Check your "internets," buy a couple of cookbooks, enlist the boyfriend, and take control of your habits!

Best of luck!

Mom24_2021

I just looked up this diet to see what exactly it entails and I’m basically on it besides the fact I will eat chicken or other meats on a VERY rare occasion. I get my protein personally from eggs, nuts and seeds, protein packed granolas, couscous, quinoa, ect. I find the granolas are more filling for me but I’ll throw in some nuts and/or seeds into a meal sometimes to give myself a little nutritional boost. There are of course also supplements and protein shakes that fit special diets. I take a vitamin daily and I’ve been just fine. My lack of energy comes from the fact I’m pregnant but even with that as a factor, I workout all but 1 or 2 days a week on this diet I have. The struggle wasn’t really there for me as far as cravings because I really just don’t like meat anyway but if you are struggling then I would suggest taking it slow and cutting out your least favorite meats first before cutting back on ones you will struggle with wanting a lot. Once you get to a point where you have slowly cut them all out you will get to a point meat makes you sick if you eat it. I personally give into intense meat cravings because the intense sick/disgusted feeling I get when I have a burger for the first time in over a month is enough to make me not want to touch meat for some time afterward. For example, I had a burger from McDonald’s two days ago and it made me feel so sluggish, heavy, and sick that I quickly and HAPPILY went back to my usual meat free ways. You can have dairy from what I was reading as well so there is no need to cut that out unless you have a person reason for not wanting it. As far as your bf goes, I’m sorry you’re dealing with that. You obviously cannot control his eating habits. When I started eating few meats my husband was still eating burgers, steaks, sausage, ect and I was making 2-3 separate dinners a night (1 for myself, 1 for my husband, 1 that my three toddlers would eat.) Eventually my husband started making his own meat separately some nights but I still have to watch him eat it because my diet just isn’t right for him and I understand that. If you’re dedicated to your decision, you will find a way to stick to it despite how your boyfriend eats but I also think it’s perfectly fair for you to ask him to eat some types of food away from you. So like if you have a huge issue with craving burgers and he wants one one night, just explain you will need to eat in a separate room or vice versa to avoid any mess ups while your in your transition phase of still getting heavy meat cravings. Best of luck to you, hun. For whatever reason you’re choosing this diet, I hope you find the best way for you to accomplish your goals.

snowflake954

Mom24_2021 wrote: »

I just looked up this diet to see what exactly it entails and I’m basically on it besides the fact I will eat chicken or other meats on a VERY rare occasion. I get my protein personally from eggs, nuts and seeds, protein packed granolas, couscous, quinoa, ect. I find the granolas are more filling for me but I’ll throw in some nuts and/or seeds into a meal sometimes to give myself a little nutritional boost. There are of course also supplements and protein shakes that fit special diets. I take a vitamin daily and I’ve been just fine. My lack of energy comes from the fact I’m pregnant but even with that as a factor, I workout all but 1 or 2 days a week on this diet I have. The struggle wasn’t really there for me as far as cravings because I really just don’t like meat anyway but if you are struggling then I would suggest taking it slow and cutting out your least favorite meats first before cutting back on ones you will struggle with wanting a lot. Once you get to a point where you have slowly cut them all out you will get to a point meat makes you sick if you eat it. I personally give into intense meat cravings because the intense sick/disgusted feeling I get when I have a burger for the first time in over a month is enough to make me not want to touch meat for some time afterward. For example, I had a burger from McDonald’s two days ago and it made me feel so sluggish, heavy, and sick that I quickly and HAPPILY went back to my usual meat free ways. You can have dairy from what I was reading as well so there is no need to cut that out unless you have a person reason for not wanting it. As far as your bf goes, I’m sorry you’re dealing with that. You obviously cannot control his eating habits. When I started eating few meats my husband was still eating burgers, steaks, sausage, ect and I was making 2-3 separate dinners a night (1 for myself, 1 for my husband, 1 that my three toddlers would eat.) Eventually my husband started making his own meat separately some nights but I still have to watch him eat it because my diet just isn’t right for him and I understand that. If you’re dedicated to your decision, you will find a way to stick to it despite how your boyfriend eats but I also think it’s perfectly fair for you to ask him to eat some types of food away from you. So like if you have a huge issue with craving burgers and he wants one one night, just explain you will need to eat in a separate room or vice versa to avoid any mess ups while your in your transition phase of still getting heavy meat cravings. Best of luck to you, hun. For whatever reason you’re choosing this diet, I hope you find the best way for you to accomplish your goals.

You do know that "pescatarian" means a diet based on fish. "Pesce" is fish in Italian. Those that choose this diet do it because they will eat fish and not other meats. Dairy and eggs are normally eaten. I mentioned that my husband has been pescatarian from childhood. I have been preparing his meals for 35 years.