What is it called when you don't eat meat besides chicken?

January 5, 2026 •

3 min read

Millions worldwide are adopting semi-vegetarian diets, according to a 2021 survey. This shift prompts questions about dietary labels. The term for not eating meat besides chicken is 'pollotarianism,' a flexible approach excluding red meat and pork, but permitting poultry.

Quick Summary

A pollotarian diet is a semi-vegetarian eating pattern that includes poultry but excludes red meat and pork. It emphasizes plant-based foods, providing health and environmental benefits. It combines 'pollo' (chicken in Spanish) with 'vegetarian'.

Key Points

Pollotarianism Defined: Not eating meat except for chicken is called pollotarianism, a semi-vegetarian diet that includes poultry but not red meat.
Health and Environmental Benefits: A pollotarian diet may lower chronic disease risk and be environmentally beneficial compared to diets high in red meat.
Flexible Approach: Pollotarianism is part of a range of plant-focused diets, providing a less strict entry point for reducing animal product consumption.
Nutrient Awareness: Plan carefully to ensure adequate intake of nutrients, such as Vitamin B12, iron, and zinc, which can be harder to find in plant-based diets.
Sustainable Choices: A pollotarian diet is a step toward sustainable eating by reducing consumption of resource-intensive red meats.

Understanding the Pollotarian Diet

A pollotarian, also known as a pollo-vegetarian, consumes poultry (chicken, turkey, duck) but avoids red meat (beef, pork, lamb). This eating pattern is a form of semi-vegetarianism, for diets that are mainly plant-based with occasional animal products.

The term comes from combining "pollo" (chicken in Spanish) with "vegetarian". People choose this style for health, environmental, and ethical reasons. It can be a step to vegetarianism or veganism, or a sustainable compromise.

The Spectrum of Semi-Vegetarianism

Semi-vegetarian diets are adaptable, allowing individuals to customize their eating habits. Pollotarianism is one option. Other semi-vegetarian diets include:

Flexitarian: A mostly plant-based diet with occasional meat and animal products.
Pescatarian: Excludes all meat except fish and seafood. Dairy and eggs are often included.
Pollo-Pescatarian: Combines poultry and fish, avoiding red meat.
Ovo-Vegetarian: Avoids meat and dairy, but includes eggs.
Lacto-Vegetarian: Avoids meat and eggs, but includes dairy.

Comparing Semi-Vegetarian Diets


Dietary Pattern	Red Meat	Poultry	Fish/Seafood	Dairy	Eggs
Pollotarian	No	Yes	Optional	Optional	Optional
Pescatarian	No	No	Yes	Optional	Optional
Pollo-Pescatarian	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	Optional
Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Vegan	No	No	No	No	No

Potential Health Benefits of a Pollotarian Diet

A pollotarian diet offers several health benefits by focusing on plant-based foods and replacing red meat with leaner poultry. These benefits come from reduced saturated fat and increased fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Lowered Risk of Chronic Disease

High red meat intake is linked to chronic diseases like heart disease, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes. Avoiding red meat may lower these risks. Replacing red meat with poultry or fish can significantly reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Weight Management

Poultry is often lower in calories and saturated fat than red meat, aiding weight management. High fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains promotes fullness, reducing calorie intake.

Nutritional Considerations and Downsides

Careful planning is crucial in a pollotarian diet to prevent nutritional deficiencies. Removing red meat impacts intake of certain nutrients.

Key Nutrients to Monitor

Iron and Zinc: These minerals are more easily absorbed from animal products (heme iron) than from plant sources (non-heme iron). While poultry contains some, combining plant-based sources with vitamin C can boost absorption.
Vitamin B12: Found almost exclusively in animal products. Supplementation may be needed for those with low poultry or no dairy/eggs.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Must be consciously included through sources like flax seeds, walnuts, chia seeds, or seafood for adequate intake.

Is Pollotarianism Right for You?

Choosing a pollotarian diet is a personal decision, with benefits and drawbacks. It offers a flexible approach to improve health and reduce environmental impact without full vegetarianism. Focusing on plant-based foods with lean poultry can create a balanced eating pattern. However, individuals need to plan their nutrition carefully, especially for B12, iron, and zinc. The ideal diet is nutrient-dense, aligns with values, and is sustainable.

For more on environmental benefits, see a study on Nature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the practice of not eating meat except for chicken is known as pollotarianism, a semi-vegetarian diet. It is a flexible choice that can offer health and environmental benefits by reducing red meat consumption while still providing quality protein. With careful planning, pollotarians can enjoy a diverse, nutritious, and sustainable diet that aligns with their health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

A pollotarian eats poultry (chicken, turkey), while a vegetarian avoids all meat, including poultry and fish.

No, a standard pollotarian diet excludes fish. A person who eats poultry and fish, but not red meat, is a pollo-pescatarian.

Yes, a well-planned pollotarian diet can be healthy. It can lead to lower saturated fat intake and reduced disease risk by emphasizing plant-based foods and swapping red meat for lean poultry.

Monitor Vitamin B12, iron, and zinc. Ensure sufficient intake through poultry, other food choices, or supplements.

People become pollotarians for health, environmental reasons, or as a transition to a plant-based diet.

A flexitarian diet is less strict, allowing for plant-based eating with occasional meat, including poultry.

The term 'pollotarian' is modern, but consuming poultry while avoiding other meats has historical roots in various cultures and dietary patterns.