Am I a Vegetarian because I eat Seafood?!


Question: Am I a Vegetarian because I eat Seafood!?
I REFUSE to eat eggs unless they are "cage-free", & raised without hormones or other additives to their food; since I do not consider fish a "meat", nor an ANIMAL, and don't believe any has a "face" or a "brain, and since I LOVE seafood & shellfish!.!.!.and do not eat chicken unless I KNOW the farm it comes from and how it's been "prepared" (& it's humane)!.!.I feel I have the right to consider myself a Vegetarian!.!.!.or P-______!? Since, I KNOW I'm not a Vegan!.!.!.and know it's not due to just preferences, but STRONG BELIEFS and STRONG feelings of disdain for inhumane treatment of animals!.!.!.that causes me to restrict my diet in this way!.!.!.so what am I!?Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
Well, many would call you a thoughtful omnivore who doesn't eat red meat!.

However, by eating fish and/or chicken you can't claim vegetarian!. You can however call yourself a pollo-pescetarian but please, NOT a pollo-pesce-vegetarian (nor "semi-vegetarian" though if you wish to go by "semi-omnivore" I'm cool with that) as that confuses the issue for those who don't eat fish or chicken and follow the veg*n diets as originally laid out by the Vegetarian Society in 1847 or the Vegan Society in 1944!. When people claim to be vegetarians yet still eat chicken and seafood then vegetarians are often served those at restaurants, weddings, parties, homes, etc by hopefully well-meaning people who then become frustrated and angry while the veg*n goes hungry and food goes to waste!.

It's good that you are thinking about what you are eating -- it's a very intimate thing after all, having a huge effect on our bodies!. Hopefully you'll continue to get in touch with where your food comes from and what it goes through before ending up on your plate!. Becoming conscious eaters helps us be more grateful as well!.

Fish do have brains and faces even if they are quite a bit different from ours and they are in severe decline currently so I hope you'll consider reading Taras Grescoe's new book, "Bottomfeeder: How to Eat Ethically in a World of Vanishing Seafood"
http://www!.powells!.com/biblio/1596912251

And check out the seafood selectors before consuming so you make ecological and healthy choices:

Oceans Alive
http://www!.oceansalive!.org/eat!.cfm!?subna!.!.!.
Monterey Bay
http://www!.montereybayaquarium!.org/cr/Se!.!.!.
Environmental Defense
http://www!.environmentaldefense!.org/tool!.!.!.
Blue Ocean
http://www!.blueocean!.org/Seafood/
Seafood Choices
http://www!.seafoodchoices!.com/home!.php
The Fish List
http://www!.thefishlist!.org/

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EDIT TO ADD: Below I'm including some articles on an Octopus love affair that had me in tears and rethinking the intelligence and cognitive abilities of the critter:
http://www!.usatoday!.com/news/science/200!.!.!.
http://www!.msnbc!.msn!.com/id/6667397/
http://www!.alaskasealife!.org/New/visitor!.!.!.

Along with a couple recent PBS shows that had me fascinated all over again with octopi while falling for their relatives the cuttlefish and squid:
http://www!.pbs!.org/wgbh/nova/camo/
http://www!.pbs!.org/wnet/nature/episodes/!.!.!.
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What gives you the right to call yourself one, when you don't fit the definition of vegetarian!? Other people have to give up fish and chicken to call themselves vegetarian, or they make themselves look bad trying to have it both ways!. also, vegetarian doesn't just mean you have strong beliefs!. Whether you have beliefs or not, vegetarian is what you do, or more specifically, what you do not eat!. So no, you're not a vegetarian and can't honestly call yourself one!. I don't know if there is a word besides omnivore for what you are!. You're just somebody who is picky about what meat you eat, which isn't a bad thing!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Vegetarians, by definition, do not eat meat!. Fish and chicken are meat!.

Trying to live by more ethical standards is admirable, and perhaps you are on your way to being a vegetarian- but you're not there yet!. You need to read more!.

Calling yourself a vegetarian while consuming meat just makes you look ignorant!. As does saying you don't eat things with a face or a brain, but you eat chicken!. Have you ever seen a chicken, outside of a grocery store!? Did you know that chicks will come when you call them, and follow you around just like puppies!? They are incredibly sweet, and easily frightened!. And trust me- their slaughter was not "humane!."Www@FoodAQ@Com

If you think that 'seafood' don't have brains, then I'm guessing you haven't done much research!. There are many studies that show fish feel pain and are more intelligent than previously thought!. Some sea creatures like octopus and cuttlefish are very intelligent and can solve complex problems!.

Don't confuse lack of communication with lack of intelligence or feelings!. They can't cry out or express themselves in ways we can easily recognise, but that doesn't mean they can't think or feel!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Wait!.!.!. you don't consider fish an ANIMAL!? What biology class did you take!? There are only five kingdoms of living things: animalia, plantae, fungi, protista and monera!. Exactly which one do you think fish belong to!?!!? You don't believe a fish has a face!? What do you call that area at the front where the eyes and the mouth are!?

Besides, you eat dead birds!. Who the hell cares what farm they came from!? They were killed to land on your plate!.

You are not remotely vegetarian!. You are just a meat eater who is trying to convince herself that she's doing it in an ethical way!. Which is hogwash!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

You don't consider fish animals!? What are they then!? They breathe and bleed!.!.I don't know any mineral or vegetable that does that!. Vegetarians do not eat animals!. You can't change the meaning just because you feel like it!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

you are not a vegetarian!. you are still ending an animal's life to consume food! if you eat any part of an animal, no matter what kind of animal, you are not a vegetarian!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

No fish are still living beings sorry
They feel emotions, they have the desire to live, and they can feel pain as well as other living beings
You technically aren't a vegetarian if you eat meat!.!.!. you are a pescatarian!.!.!.!.
I hopes this helps hon! : DWww@FoodAQ@Com

No you are not a vegetarian as you eat seafood!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Omnivore!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

since when is a fish not an animal!?Www@FoodAQ@Com

why not stick to your own beliefs and not care what others say!?Www@FoodAQ@Com

you're not a veg!. that's what i think! Www@FoodAQ@Com

A fish is an animal!.!.!. u_U'Www@FoodAQ@Com

The word "vegetarian" is a generic blanket term used to describe anybody who does not eat meat, poultry, fish, or seafood!. This encompasses vegans and also the various vegetarian sub-groups!. Vegetarians are generally those people who have chosen a diet with far less restrictions than those chosen by a vegan!.
The differences between the various vegetarian sub-groups may appear to be small, but they are very important to the members who belong to each groups!. In many cases the distinctions are important dietary or ethical decisions taken by the individual!.

Here are the various vegetarian sub-groups:

SEMI-VEGETARIAN
===================================
Semi-vegetarians are people who have chosen to live a lifestyle which is not strictly vegetarian!. A semi-vegetarian may be a person who only eats meat occasionally, or perhaps doesn’t eat meat, but eats poultry and fish!.

1) Ovo-Lacto-Vegetarian
--------------------------------------!.!.!.
Ovo-lacto vegetarians are vegetarians who do not eat meat, poultry, fish, and seafood, but do eat eggs and milk!. This is by far the largest group of vegetarians!.

2) Ovo-Vegetarian
--------------------------------------!.!.!.
Ovo-vegetarians are people who would be classed as vegans if they did not eat eggs!.

3) Lacto-Vegetarian
--------------------------------------!.!.!.
Lacto-vegetarians are people who would be classed as vegans if they did not consume milk!.

VEGAN
======================================!.!.!.
This is by far the strictest vegetarian sub-group or category!.
A vegan is a person who has chosen not to consume any animal products or byproducts!. Some will even so far as not consuming honey and yeast, and others will not wear any clothing made from animal products!. Veganism is a diet and lifestyle that seeks to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose!. Vegans endeavor not to use or consume animal products of any kind!. The most common reasons for becoming a vegan are ethical commitment or moral convictions concerning animal rights, the environment, human health, and spiritual or religious concerns!. Of particular concern are the practices involved in factory farming and animal testing, and the intensive use of land and other resources required for animal farming!. Veganism never stops at eating habit alone, but continuous journey beyond!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Well, many vegetarians and vegans will say that you're being a hypocrite, but I understand what you're saying and don't think you are!. Every step toward a more humane lifestyle counts and what you're doing is making more of an impact than someone who just eats whatever they want!.

The official term that you can use is "pesco-vegetarian!." Some day it might be in your heart to give up fish as well (they are still animals!.!.!.), but until you do (if you do) feel good about what you are doing already to help animals!. If anyone is rude to you just ignore it!. Us animal rights fighters need to stick up for each other more!Www@FoodAQ@Com

You're an omnivore!.

Vegetarians do not eat animal flesh, period, no matter how the animal has been raised!. Chickens and fish are animals!. Regardless of how it happens, or how happy a life the chicken on your plate lived, do you really think its death was in any way humane!? Are you serious!? "Happy meat" is still meat!.

If fish aren't animals, what are they!? They aren't plants, mold, fungus, dirt, rocks, et cetera!. You cannot call yourself a vegetarian if you eat fish!. Vegetarians do not eat animal flesh!. Fish are animals!. They are of the kingdom Animalia!. They are living, breathing creatures!.

This is the definition of an animal: Any of the multicellular organisms belonging to the kingdom Animalia!. All animals are eukaryotes, with each of their cells having a nucleus containing DNA!. Most animals develop from a blastula and have a digestive tract, nervous system, the ability to move voluntarily, and specialized sensory organs for recognizing and responding to stimuli in the environment!. Animals are heterotrophs, feeding on plants, other animals, or organic matter!.

Now, tell me again how a fish is not an animal!?

You can "consider yourself a vegetarian" all you want, and hold "strong beliefs", but you won't be vegetarian until you stop consuming animal flesh, no matter how strong your beliefs are!. It's great that you've cut some animal foods from your diet!. That's a few steps further than most people are willing to go!. Apparently you know at least a little bit about where your food comes from, since you don't eat eggs from battery caged hens!. (Which, by the way, "cage-free" and "free-range" as food labels mean absolutely nothing!. They are not regulated, at least not in the U!.S!. The only way to be sure your eggs come from happy, cage-free hens is if they live in your own backyard, or are raised by someone you would trust with your life!.) Maybe someday you will become vegetarian, or even vegan (and that would be awesome, of course), but until you actually are veg'an, please do not label yourself as one!. It confuses the general public or society about what a veg'an actually is, and that does not help animals at all!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

A vegetarian by definition is "a person who does not eat or does not believe in eating meat, fish, fowl, or, in some cases, any food derived from animals, as eggs or cheese, but subsists on vegetables, fruits, nuts, grain, etc!.", there is no going around the definition based on what you believe, or your personal taste preference!.

It sounds as if you want to be vegetarian, but don't want the inconvenience of not eating some of your favorite foods!. Most often "cage free" means nothing when it comes to humane treatment!. These animals still suffer, just slightly less as they are not crammed into stackable cages!. They still suffer from much of the same treatment as their caged counterparts!.

Someone who eats meat(of any kind), is not a vegetarian, simple as that!. It does not matter that you don't believe fish to be animals or have brains(since this belief is not fact)!. Your an omnivore that restricts what they eat based on a personal preference, there is no name for that!.

Just b/c you fit some of the criteria for a vegetarian diet, does not mean you can call yourself such!. It would be like someone saying, I don't believe in Jesus or God, and heaven may exist or not, but I do believe in the bible as a moral teaching tool, receiving sacraments, following the 10 commandments, can I call myself Christian!? It would not make sense, such a person fits some of the criteria to be a Christian, but does not follow some of the major teachings, therefore they cannot be considered Christian!.

I cannot understand why so many children look for a label!. It is as if they want a special distinction without actually doing anything!. It is great that you are cutting down you meat consumption, but replacing beef for dinner with chicken/fish, is not reducing inhumane treatment of animals!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Read this here is your answer


What is a Vegetarian!?
Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, and poultry!. Vegans are vegetarians who abstain from eating or using all animal products, including milk, cheese, other dairy items, eggs, wool, silk, and leather!. Among the many reasons for being a vegetarian are health, ecological, and religious concerns, dislike of meat, compassion for animals, belief in non-violence, and economics!. The American Dietetic Association has affirmed that a vegetarian diet can meet all known nutrient needs!. The key to a healthy vegetarian diet, as with any other diet, is to eat a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, plenty of leafy greens, whole grain products, nuts, seeds, and legumes!. Limit your intake of sweets and fatty foods!.

Making the Change to a Vegetarian Diet
Many people become vegetarian instantly!. They totally give up meat, fish and poultry overnight!. Others make the change gradually!. Do what works best for you!.

Being a vegetarian is as hard or as easy as you choose to make it!. Some people enjoy planning and preparing elaborate meals, while others opt for quick and easy vegetarian dishes!.

Www@FoodAQ@Com

You are neither a Vegan or a Vegetarian!. You just like seafood!. Fish do have brains just as any animal does!. Stop trying to be something you aren't and go out and have a nice rare T-bone steak!
Being a Vegan or Vegetarian is very unhealthy no matter what the whackos at PETA tell you!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Its nice that you care about the cows and the chickens :)
but because you still eat eggs makes you a carnivorous
plus you are eating sea food, there are living and breathing

Vegetarian=person who ONLY eats VEGGIES

Www@FoodAQ@Com

Yes you are a vegetarian!. The correct term is pescetarian!. Most of the world's vegetarians do eat fish and seafood!.Www@FoodAQ@Com





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