What Do You Call People That Only Eat Chicken? Unpacking the Pollotarian Diet

November 19, 2025 •

3 min read

The term for people who eat a semi-vegetarian diet that includes poultry but no red meat has been documented in nutritional texts since the 1980s. The specific term for this eating pattern is "pollotarian," a choice made for various health, environmental, and ethical reasons.

Quick Summary

The correct term for individuals who consume poultry while abstaining from other meats is pollotarian. This semi-vegetarian diet focuses on poultry and plant-based foods, and can offer health benefits associated with reducing red meat intake.

Key Points

Term Definition: People who only eat chicken and other poultry, but no red meat, are called pollotarians.
Semi-Vegetarianism: Pollotarianism is considered a type of semi-vegetarian diet that focuses on poultry and plant-based foods.
Health Motivations: This diet is often chosen for health benefits, such as a lowered risk of certain cancers and type 2 diabetes linked to red meat reduction.
Environmental Reasons: Many pollotarians are concerned with the environmental impact of red meat production, which is often higher than that of poultry.
Nutrient Awareness: Followers of this diet must be mindful of potential deficiencies in iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, which can be more readily absorbed from red meat.
Diet Flexibility: A pollotarian diet offers flexibility, allowing individuals to include or exclude eggs, dairy, and sometimes even fish, based on personal preference.

Understanding the Pollotarian Diet

For those who choose to eat chicken and other poultry while abstaining from red meat, the formal term is a pollotarian. While often considered a type of semi-vegetarianism, a pollotarian diet is more specifically defined by its inclusion of all types of poultry, such as turkey and duck, but its exclusion of red meat and pork products. This dietary pattern offers a middle ground for individuals who want to reduce their red meat consumption without giving up meat entirely.

The Rise of Semi-Vegetarianism

Dietary habits have become increasingly nuanced, leading to the rise of terms like pollotarian and other semi-vegetarian classifications. This movement is often driven by a desire for improved health, with research suggesting that reducing red meat intake can lower the risk of certain cancers and type 2 diabetes. For some, it is a stepping stone toward a full vegetarian diet, while others are motivated by environmental concerns, recognizing that poultry production can have a smaller carbon footprint than red meat. Ethical considerations regarding animal welfare also play a role for many who find the consumption of poultry more acceptable than that of mammals.

Nutritional Considerations of a Pollotarian Diet

A well-planned pollotarian diet can be quite healthy, as it typically emphasizes a high intake of plant-based foods alongside moderate poultry consumption. By replacing red meat with leaner poultry, individuals can reduce their intake of saturated fat and overall calories while maintaining a good source of protein.

Key nutritional advantages include:

Higher Protein: Chicken and other poultry are excellent sources of lean protein, essential for muscle repair and satiety.
Lower Saturated Fat: Choosing poultry over red meat can significantly lower saturated fat intake, benefiting heart health.
Emphasis on Plant-Based Foods: The diet encourages high consumption of fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are linked to better overall health.

Potential nutritional downsides to be aware of include:

Micronutrient Deficiencies: Eliminating all red meat can lead to lower intake of iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Unless fish is also included (a pesce-pollotarian diet), sources of omega-3s might be lacking. This can be addressed with plant-based sources like walnuts, flax, and chia seeds.
Meal Variety: Relying on only one type of meat can make it challenging to maintain a diverse and balanced diet over time.

A Typical Pollotarian Food List

Those following a pollotarian diet can enjoy a wide array of foods. Here is a typical list of what can be included:

Poultry: Chicken, turkey, duck, and other fowl are the central meat sources.
Whole Grains: Quinoa, oats, farro, and brown rice provide essential fiber and carbohydrates.
Fruits and Vegetables: All fruits and vegetables are encouraged and should form the bulk of the diet.
Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, and various beans offer additional protein and fiber.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds are excellent sources of healthy fats.
Healthy Fats: Avocado and olive oil are staples for healthy cooking.
Optional: Eggs and dairy products are often included but are not a strict requirement, as some pollotarians avoid them.

Pollotarianism Compared to Other Diets

To better understand the pollotarian diet, it's helpful to see how it compares to other similar dietary patterns. The main difference lies in which animal products are included.


Dietary Pattern	Red Meat	Pork	Poultry	Fish & Seafood	Eggs	Dairy
Pollotarian	No	No	Yes	Maybe	Maybe	Maybe
Pescetarian	No	No	No	Yes	Maybe	Maybe
Flexitarian	Sometimes	Sometimes	Sometimes	Sometimes	Yes	Yes
Omnivore	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Vegetarian	No	No	No	No	Maybe	Maybe

Conclusion

Knowing the term for people that only eat chicken, pollotarian, helps clarify a specific dietary choice that is becoming more common. This semi-vegetarian approach is a flexible and potentially healthier way to eat, particularly for those looking to reduce their consumption of red and processed meats. While it offers numerous health and environmental benefits, followers must be mindful of potential nutrient gaps that can arise from excluding certain animal products. By focusing on a diverse intake of plant-based foods and supplementing where necessary, a pollotarian diet can be a sustainable and well-rounded eating pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a pollotarian is not a vegetarian. A vegetarian avoids all types of meat, including poultry. A pollotarian specifically eats poultry but avoids red meat and pork, making it a form of semi-vegetarianism.

Yes, many pollotarians choose to include eggs and dairy in their diet, though it is not a strict requirement. The inclusion of these products is often based on individual preference and specific health goals.

A pollotarian eats poultry but no other meat, whereas a pescetarian eats fish and seafood but no other meat (including poultry). Some people may follow a mixed diet, called a pesce-pollotarian.

People become pollotarian for several reasons, including potential health benefits associated with reducing red meat consumption, environmental concerns over red meat's impact, ethical beliefs about animal welfare, or simply as a preference for the taste and texture of poultry.

The main downside is the potential for nutritional deficiencies, particularly a lack of sufficient iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, which are abundant in red meat. Proper meal planning and potential supplementation are necessary to avoid these issues.

A pollotarian diet can be more environmentally friendly than a standard omnivorous diet, primarily because it avoids beef. Studies suggest beef production requires significantly more resources and generates more greenhouse gas emissions than poultry.

While the name comes from the Spanish word for chicken, pollotarians generally eat all forms of poultry, including chicken, turkey, and duck.

References

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What Is a Pollotarian Diet? Benefits, Food Lists, and More