What is it called when you don't eat beef but eat chicken? A Guide to Pollotarianism

October 25, 2025 •

4 min read

Recent trends indicate a growing number of people reducing their meat intake for various reasons, leading to a rise in semi-vegetarian lifestyles. If you've ever wondered, "What is it called when you don't eat beef but eat chicken?", you're likely referring to a well-defined dietary pattern known as pollotarianism.

Quick Summary

The practice of eating poultry but not red meat is accurately called pollotarianism, a type of semi-vegetarian diet centered on plant-based foods with the inclusion of chicken and other fowl.

Key Points

Pollotarianism is the Term: The diet of eating poultry but not red meat is accurately named pollotarianism.
Semi-Vegetarian Classification: This eating pattern is considered a type of semi-vegetarianism or flexitarianism, not a true form of vegetarianism.
Driven by Health and Environment: Common reasons for adopting this diet include reducing risks of heart disease, lowering cholesterol, and lessening environmental impact.
Requires Nutritional Awareness: Removing red meat can impact intake of iron and vitamin B12, requiring careful planning to ensure a balanced diet.
Focuses on Plants and Poultry: A pollotarian diet is primarily based on whole, plant-based foods with the moderate inclusion of chicken and other fowl.
Flexibility is Key: Unlike strict diets, it offers flexibility, allowing for individual preferences, and is often seen as a transitional step toward full vegetarianism.

Understanding Pollotarianism

Pollotarianism is a dietary pattern where an individual abstains from red meat (like beef, pork, and lamb) but continues to consume poultry, such as chicken and turkey. It is considered a type of semi-vegetarianism, as it is primarily plant-based but still includes some forms of animal flesh. The term comes from the Spanish word for chicken, "pollo," combined with "tarian" from vegetarian. This choice is distinct from true vegetarianism, which excludes all meat, and veganism, which excludes all animal products.

Why People Become Pollotarian

People adopt a pollotarian diet for a variety of reasons, often combining health, ethical, and environmental motivations.

Health Concerns: Red meat, particularly processed varieties, has been linked to potential health risks, including a higher risk of heart disease, certain cancers (especially colorectal), and type 2 diabetes. Many people switch to a pollotarian diet to reduce their intake of saturated fats and cholesterol found in red meat while still benefiting from the protein and nutrients in poultry. Studies have also shown that people on a semi-vegetarian diet may have lower body mass index (BMI) and better metabolic health indicators.
Environmental Impact: The livestock industry, particularly beef production, has a significant environmental footprint due to land use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. By eliminating red meat, pollotarians reduce their environmental impact. Poultry production generally requires fewer resources than beef, making it a more sustainable choice for many.
Ethical Reasons: For some, pollotarianism is a step towards a more plant-based lifestyle or a compromise on animal welfare concerns. While they may not be ready to give up meat entirely, they may feel more comfortable with poultry farming practices compared to the cattle industry. It can also serve as a transitional step toward full vegetarianism.

What to Eat on a Pollotarian Diet

A pollotarian diet, at its core, emphasizes whole, plant-based foods with the moderate addition of poultry.

Foods to include:

Poultry: Chicken, turkey, and duck.
Fruits and Vegetables: All types of fruits and vegetables are encouraged, providing vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Whole Grains: Quinoa, oats, brown rice, and farro.
Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, and beans are excellent sources of protein and fiber.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds offer healthy fats and protein.
Healthy Fats: Avocados, olive oil, and coconut oil.
Plant-Based Proteins: Tofu, seitan, and tempeh are great meatless options.
Eggs and Dairy (Optional): Many pollotarians include eggs and dairy in their diet, although some may choose to exclude them.

Foods to avoid:

Beef
Pork
Lamb
Game meat (e.g., bison, venison)
Generally, processed red meats like bacon and sausage

Pollotarianism vs. Other Diets


Diet Type	Red Meat?	Poultry?	Fish/Seafood?	Dairy?	Eggs?	Key Distinction
Pollotarianism	No	Yes	Optional	Optional	Optional	Focus on plants and poultry, no red meat.
Pescetarianism	No	No	Yes	Optional	Optional	Focus on plants and fish, no red meat or poultry.
Flexitarianism	Sometimes	Sometimes	Sometimes	Yes	Yes	A flexible, mostly plant-based diet with occasional meat/animal products.
Vegetarianism	No	No	No	Optional	Optional	Excludes all meat, fish, and poultry.
Veganism	No	No	No	No	No	Excludes all animal products, including eggs and dairy.

Nutritional Considerations

Adopting a pollotarian diet can be a very healthy choice, but careful planning is essential to ensure adequate nutrient intake. While poultry provides high-quality protein, eliminating red meat can reduce dietary sources of certain vitamins and minerals. Potential deficiencies to be mindful of include:

Iron: While some plant foods contain iron, heme iron from meat is more easily absorbed by the body. Pollotarians should focus on consuming plant-based iron sources like lentils and spinach, potentially paired with Vitamin C to increase absorption.
Zinc: Zinc is also better absorbed from animal products. Seeds, nuts, and legumes are good plant-based sources.
Vitamin B12: This vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal products. Depending on how frequently poultry, eggs, and dairy are consumed, some pollotarians may need to consider supplementation or fortified foods.

How to Make the Switch

If you're transitioning to a pollotarian diet, here are a few steps to make it a smooth process:

Gradual Reduction: Instead of cutting out red meat all at once, start by having one or two meatless days per week. This allows your palate to adjust and helps you discover new plant-based recipes.
Explore Poultry-Based Recipes: Look for creative ways to use chicken and turkey in dishes where you'd normally use beef. For example, use ground chicken in tacos or turkey meatballs in spaghetti.
Focus on Plant-Based Proteins: Experiment with different plant-based proteins like tofu, lentils, and chickpeas. This not only adds variety but also ensures you're getting sufficient protein on your non-poultry days.
Prioritize Nutrient-Dense Foods: Fill your plate with a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This will naturally boost your intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Conclusion

The answer to "What is it called when you don't eat beef but eat chicken?" is pollotarianism, a popular form of semi-vegetarianism. This dietary choice is driven by a combination of health, environmental, and ethical factors, offering a flexible and sustainable middle ground between a traditional omnivorous diet and full vegetarianism. By replacing red meat with poultry and focusing on a wide variety of plant-based foods, individuals can enjoy a nutrient-rich diet while reducing their consumption of saturated fats and their impact on the planet.

To ensure nutritional balance, especially with regard to iron, zinc, and B12, careful planning is required, as with any restricted diet. Overall, pollotarianism provides a realistic and approachable path for many people seeking to make more mindful and healthy food choices without completely eliminating all animal products from their plate. For more detailed information on semi-vegetarian diets, explore reputable health and nutrition resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a pollotarian is not a vegetarian. A vegetarian excludes all types of meat, fish, and poultry from their diet. A pollotarian specifically eats poultry but avoids red meat, classifying them as a semi-vegetarian.

A pollotarian eats poultry but not red meat, while a pescetarian eats fish and seafood but excludes all other meat, including poultry and red meat.

People become pollotarian for several reasons, including health benefits associated with reducing red meat intake (like lower saturated fat), concerns for the environmental impact of red meat production, and ethical beliefs about animal welfare.

Potential health benefits include a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer due to the decrease in red and processed meat consumption. It can also support weight management.

Yes, carefully planned diets are necessary to avoid potential deficiencies in nutrients typically found in red meat, such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Including fortified foods or supplements may be needed.

A pollo-pescetarian is a person who eats both poultry and fish but avoids red meat. This is a more inclusive version of the semi-vegetarian diet than simple pollotarianism.

Yes, a pollotarian diet generally has a smaller environmental footprint than a diet high in red meat. Poultry production requires fewer resources, such as land and water, and produces less greenhouse gas compared to cattle farming.

Foods in a pollotarian diet include poultry (chicken, turkey), fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Eggs and dairy are often included but are considered optional by some.