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Newbie! --Pescetarian +Paleo?

ebonymphi
ebonymphi Posts: 65 Member
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Hey guys, this is my first post on MFP :) I'm interested in starting a paleo diet but am not entirely sure where all to begin. Moreover, I would follow most of the structured mealplans I've seen around, but I'm a pescetarian (i.e. the only meat I eat is fish). I'm also ideally transitioning into a vegetarian diet. Any tips or resources on how to go Paleo sans most meat? :) thanks!

Replies

  • cindytw
    cindytw Posts: 1,027 Member
    Welcome! There are people out there who are vegetarians and even Paleo Veagns, "Peagans". I think that most of us are meat eaters here, but maybe those who aren't are quieter! I think that it is possible, I would advise using fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, etc.) whenever possible and adding eggs if you tolerate them. Make sure you are getting plenty of healthy fats, fruits and vegetables. Here is a link with some information on it. paleoleap.com/pescetarian-paleo/
  • ebonymphi
    ebonymphi Posts: 65 Member
    cindytw wrote: »
    Welcome! There are people out there who are vegetarians and even Paleo Veagns, "Peagans". I think that most of us are meat eaters here, but maybe those who aren't are quieter! I think that it is possible, I would advise using fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, etc.) whenever possible and adding eggs if you tolerate them. Make sure you are getting plenty of healthy fats, fruits and vegetables. Here is a link with some information on it. paleoleap.com/pescetarian-paleo/

    Thank you sooo much!
  • norcogrrl
    norcogrrl Posts: 129 Member
    Welcome! Be prepared to feel amazing. :)

    In transitioning to a vegetarian diet, you're going to have to make some "non-paleo" consessions. The vast majority of significant paleo protein sources are animal proteins.

    You could try paleo+dairy (high fat yogurts and cheeses). You could keep eggs in your diet. If you want to move totally away from all animal proteins, you can play around with non-paleo beans, legumes, and soy to find out which ones your system tolerates well.

    But! Be aware that in the "western world" the soy products we use are very different from the soy products used in the east. The soy products the west uses are mostly non-fermented soy byproducts. In the east, they eat fermented soy products. You'll want to ensure you use fermented soy products to reduce your consumption of phytic acid.

    Another option is pea protein. Pea protein powder is a complete protein, but it's absorption isn't great (69%, I believe). You'll need to consume more of it to meet your protein goals, and it can be quite expensive. If might be something you can use in addition to some non-paleo protein sources.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    Not sure about how well you will do long term by avoiding animal foods. The feeling amazing part of this lifestyle is due to the body becoming fully nourished after years of being malnourished. Generally vegetarians/vegans feel good at first because of getting rid of the junky foods but over the long term health again deteriorates. There is not one single known historic society that avoided animal foods, which is an important thing to consider imo.

    I would only hope that you are very well informed before committing to vegetarianism/veganism. I think everyone should read the Vegetarian Myth by Lierre Keith. Informed not only on the changes to expect to health, and ways to prevent some of the worst possibilities, but also of sustainable farming, ethics (plants are alive, communicate, have behaviour, and I would argue sentient as well), if ethics are your reasoning for not eating animals. Monoculture of crops are far from ethical. And for people who eat animals, it's as much an ethical choice to avoid CAFOs. Basically, crap food equals crap health, even if ethics don't come into it.

    I'm not sure that avoiding grains and legumes completely is doable when one isn't eating any animal foods. What are you going to eat? Only fruits, vegetables, and nuts/seeds (which are a weird Paleo exception since they are no better than grains and legumes)? You have to get some kind of protein, and without animals (if you give up fish) I think you are stuck with having to have grains and legumes. Of course if you are vegetarian you may be eating a whole lot of dairy which can still come from unethical farming practices, be highly processed, and many people don't do well with dairy at all either. Inflammation, sinus issues, digestive issues, and for me addiction. lol

    If my comment is offensive, I apologize. Just do a ton of research and learn from other vegetarians/vegans their experiences. Don't forget the ones who couldn't keep going because of health issues. Some of the health problems that may arise are permanent.
  • cindytw
    cindytw Posts: 1,027 Member
    My personal feelings on this have nothing to do with what the OP asked. I think we should encourage any measure of Paleo because it is DIS-couraging the alternatives that are a whole lot worse!! Do I believe vegetarianism or veganism is right? NO. But this is not about that it is about what someone asked as a question. Yes it IS doable, as a pescatarian/vegetarian although not optimally in my opinion.

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