Nutrition Diet: What Can Pescatarians Not Eat?

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2018 survey, approximately 3% of the global population follows a pescatarian diet. For those new to this dietary pattern, understanding what can pescatarians not eat is the first step to navigating this healthy lifestyle, which primarily revolves around plants and seafood.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the specific food items and categories, including land animals and potential hidden animal products, that are excluded from a pescatarian diet, clarifying the key dietary boundaries.

Key Points

Land animals are prohibited: The core rule is the complete avoidance of all meat and poultry from land animals, including beef, pork, chicken, and turkey.
Seafood is the key protein: Unlike vegetarianism, the pescatarian diet includes fish and other seafood as a primary source of animal protein.
Eggs and dairy are optional: Whether or not to consume eggs and dairy is a personal choice, making the diet flexible for individuals.
Beware of hidden ingredients: Some processed foods contain hidden animal-derived products like gelatin or meat broths that should be checked.
Prioritize low-mercury fish: For overall health and to minimize toxin exposure, it is recommended to focus on consuming lower-mercury fish options.
Conscious choices are crucial: To reap the full health benefits, focus on whole, minimally processed foods rather than relying on processed, packaged options.

The Primary Exclusion: All Land Animals

The most fundamental rule of the pescatarian diet is the avoidance of all meat and poultry sourced from land animals. This distinction is what sets a pescatarian diet apart from an omnivorous one and aligns it closely with vegetarian principles, with the key exception of seafood. This means that the following are strictly excluded:

Red Meat: This includes beef, pork, lamb, and other red meats. Products like bacon, sausages, and deli meats also fall into this category and are not consumed by pescatarians.
Poultry: Chicken, turkey, and other birds are not part of a pescatarian's diet.
Wild Game: Animals such as venison and bison are also excluded.

Hidden Animal Products

While the primary restrictions are clear, new pescatarians must also be aware of hidden animal-derived ingredients found in many processed foods. Many ready-made meals, stocks, and sauces use meat or poultry in their base, making them unsuitable. Common hidden ingredients to watch out for include:

Gelatin: Derived from animal collagen, gelatin is found in many desserts, marshmallows, and vitamin capsules.
Animal Broth: Many soups and gravies are made with chicken, beef, or other meat-based broths.
Lard and Suet: These animal fats are used in some baking and cooking recipes.

Variations in Dairy and Eggs

Unlike veganism, which excludes all animal products, a pescatarian diet is centered on the exclusion of land animals. For dairy and eggs, the choice to consume them is a personal one. Some pescatarians, known as lacto-ovo-pescatarians, include both dairy and eggs in their diet, while others may omit one or both. The choice often depends on individual health goals, ethical considerations, or personal preferences. Eggs and dairy can provide important nutrients like vitamin B12 and calcium, but plant-based alternatives are widely available for those who choose to exclude them.

Health Considerations Beyond Restrictions

While knowing what to avoid is crucial, a successful pescatarian diet also involves being mindful of what you do eat. Focusing on whole, minimally processed foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, is essential for a balanced and healthy intake. Relying too heavily on processed, packaged seafood products can negate many of the health benefits of this dietary pattern. Additionally, it is wise for all fish consumers, including pescatarians, to be aware of mercury levels in certain fish and to prioritize lower-mercury options for most of their consumption, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pescatarian vs. Vegetarian vs. Vegan: A Comparison


Food Category	Pescatarian	Vegetarian	Vegan
Red Meat	No	No	No
Poultry	No	No	No
Fish/Seafood	Yes	No	No
Eggs	Optional	Optional	No
Dairy	Optional	Optional	No

The Importance of Nutritional Balance

One potential drawback of eliminating red meat is the need to plan for alternative sources of certain nutrients, most notably iron and vitamin B12. While fish and shellfish do provide these, careful planning is necessary, especially for those who consume them less frequently. Excellent plant-based sources of iron include spinach and fortified cereals, while vitamin B12 can be found in fortified foods and supplements.

Conclusion: Flexibility and Conscious Choices

Ultimately, understanding what can pescatarians not eat is a straightforward matter of excluding land animals. The defining line is clear: no beef, pork, lamb, chicken, or turkey. The diet's flexibility regarding eggs and dairy allows for personalization based on individual preferences and nutritional needs. By focusing on whole foods and making conscious choices about both seafood and plant-based options, the pescatarian diet can be a delicious and sustainable path to improved health and well-being. For those making the transition, it's a valuable practice to research hidden animal ingredients and prioritize low-mercury fish for optimal health benefits.

For more information on balancing a pescatarian diet, consult resources from reputable health organizations such as Harvard Health. Thinking about becoming a pescatarian? What you should know about the pescatarian diet

Frequently Asked Questions

A pescatarian is someone who follows a primarily plant-based diet but also includes fish and other seafood for animal protein.

No, pescatarians do not eat any poultry, which includes chicken, turkey, and other birds.

Yes, most pescatarians include dairy and eggs, but this is a personal preference. Those who eat both are sometimes referred to as lacto-ovo-pescatarians.

Yes, hidden animal products like gelatin in certain foods and animal-based broths in many soups and sauces should be avoided.

The main difference is that pescatarians eat fish and seafood, while vegetarians do not consume any animal flesh, including fish.

No, a pescatarian diet is not suitable for someone with a seafood allergy, as fish and shellfish are a central component.

Pescatarians should be mindful of mercury levels by choosing low-mercury fish options like salmon and sardines and limiting consumption of high-mercury species such as shark and swordfish.