What is a person called who is vegetarian but eats fish?

December 24, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2018 Ipsos MORI report, approximately 3% of adults worldwide follow a pescetarian diet. A person who is vegetarian but eats fish is known as a pescetarian, from the Italian word for fish, "pesce," combined with "vegetarian". This dietary pattern emphasizes plant-based foods while including seafood as a source of protein and other nutrients.

Quick Summary

A pescetarian follows a plant-based diet similar to a vegetarian, but also incorporates fish and seafood. This dietary pattern offers the health benefits of a plant-based diet while providing nutrients like omega-3s, typically found in fish.

Key Points

Pescetarian Defined: A person who is vegetarian but eats fish is called a pescetarian.
Not a True Vegetarian: True vegetarianism excludes all animal flesh, including fish, making 'pescetarian' a distinct dietary category.
Health and Environment: People choose this diet for health benefits from fish, like omega-3 fatty acids, and for a reduced environmental footprint compared to eating land animals.
Flexible Diet: The diet is largely plant-based but includes seafood, and may also include dairy and eggs, offering more flexibility than strict vegetarianism.
Nutritional Boost: Adding fish helps ensure adequate intake of nutrients like Vitamin B12, iron, and lean protein, which can be challenging on a purely vegetarian diet.
Consider Sustainability: Concerns exist regarding mercury in some fish and the sustainability of fishing, so informed choices are important.

Understanding the Pescetarian Diet

At its core, the pescetarian diet is a form of semi-vegetarianism, relying on a foundation of plant-based foods with the key inclusion of fish and other seafood. It is not considered a true vegetarian diet, as vegetarianism strictly excludes all animal flesh, including fish. The pescetarian approach allows for flexibility and is often adopted for a variety of reasons, from health benefits to ethical and environmental considerations. While many pescetarians also consume dairy and eggs (known as lacto-ovo pescetarians), others may choose to exclude these, creating different variations of the diet.

Why People Choose Pescetarianism

People adopt a pescetarian diet for many reasons. For some, it is a stepping stone toward a more restrictive vegetarian or vegan diet, helping them gradually reduce their consumption of land animals. Others are motivated by the proven health benefits of a plant-based diet combined with the nutritional advantages of fish. These benefits include lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. A pescetarian diet can fill potential nutritional gaps in a strict vegetarian diet, providing vital nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.

For those with ethical concerns, pescetarianism offers a compromise. Some believe that fish and shellfish experience less suffering than land animals, while others may prefer to support sustainable fishing over factory farming practices. Environmentally conscious individuals may also choose this path to lower their carbon footprint, as seafood production typically has a smaller environmental impact compared to raising livestock.

Nutritional Benefits of Including Fish

Fish and seafood are excellent sources of lean protein and essential nutrients that can be more challenging to obtain from a purely plant-based diet. Fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel, are particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for heart and brain health. This nutrient profile contributes to lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation, and a decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Fish also provides vitamin D, selenium, and zinc, further enhancing the nutritional completeness of the diet.

Key Nutrients in Fish:

Protein: A high-quality, complete protein source necessary for building and repairing tissues.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA): Supports heart health, cognitive function, and reduces inflammation.
Vitamin B12: Found almost exclusively in animal products, crucial for nerve function and red blood cell formation.
Iron: Fish and shellfish are good sources of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body than plant-based iron.

Navigating Potential Drawbacks

While highly beneficial, the pescetarian diet is not without considerations. The primary concern is the potential exposure to mercury and other pollutants found in some fish. Pregnant women and young children are often advised to limit their intake of fish high in mercury, such as shark, swordfish, and king mackerel. Sustainable sourcing is also a critical factor. Overfishing and harmful aquaculture practices can negatively impact marine ecosystems. Resources like the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch can help pescetarians make environmentally friendly choices.

It is also possible to have an unhealthy pescetarian diet if it relies heavily on processed foods and fried fish rather than whole, plant-based ingredients. A healthy pescetarian diet, like any healthy diet, requires mindful planning to ensure it is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.

Pescetarianism vs. Vegetarianism


Feature	Pescetarianism	Vegetarianism
Meat from Land Animals	Excluded (beef, pork, poultry)	Excluded (all meat)
Fish and Seafood	Included	Excluded
Dairy and Eggs	Optional; included in ovo-lacto pescetarianism	Optional; included in ovo-lacto vegetarianism
Primary Motivation	Health, environmental concerns, ethical compromise	Ethical beliefs, health, religious reasons
Nutritional Flexibility	Broader due to seafood, easier access to B12 and Omega-3s	More limited; requires careful planning for B12, omega-3s, and iron

Conclusion

A person who is vegetarian but eats fish is a pescetarian, and this dietary choice represents a balanced approach that combines the health and environmental advantages of a plant-based diet with the unique nutritional benefits of seafood. By opting for this lifestyle, individuals can improve their heart and brain health, diversify their nutrient intake, and potentially reduce their environmental impact compared to meat-heavy diets. As with any diet, success depends on mindful planning, emphasizing whole foods, and making sustainable and informed choices about seafood consumption. Ultimately, pescetarianism offers a flexible and nutritious middle ground for those seeking a healthier and more sustainable way of eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is that a pescetarian includes fish and seafood in their diet, while a vegetarian abstains from all animal flesh, including fish and poultry.

This is often a matter of semantics. A person who identifies this way is more accurately called a pescetarian. They might be transitioning from eating meat to vegetarianism, seeking the health benefits of fish, or have ethical considerations that distinguish fish from land animals.

Yes. While the base diet is plant-based plus seafood, some pescetarians include eggs and dairy (lacto-ovo pescetarian), while others may exclude them (strict pescetarian).

A well-planned pescetarian diet can be very healthy. It combines the benefits of a plant-based diet with the added nutrients from fish, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which can support heart and brain health.

Pescetarianism generally has a lower environmental impact than diets heavy in red meat, primarily due to lower greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is important to choose sustainably sourced fish to avoid contributing to overfishing and ecosystem damage.

Potential drawbacks include exposure to mercury and other pollutants found in some fish, especially larger species. Mindful sourcing and limiting intake of high-mercury fish can mitigate this risk.

Pescetarians should aim for a variety of fish. Fatty fish like salmon and sardines are rich in omega-3s, while smaller fish are generally lower in mercury. Consulting resources like Seafood Watch for sustainable choices is recommended.