Why is fish not considered meat?

[Laura]

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
I guess I've always thought those who eat fish as "vegetarians" and those who don't eat any sort of animal as a "vegan", but I don't see how someone eating fish and calling themselves a vegetarian "ruins" it for anyone? Why would you care what someone calls themselves?

Vegetarians don't eat any meat, including fish. Vegans don't eat any animal products, including eggs, dairy, gelatin, rennet, honey, sugar processed with bone char, etc. I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian--I eat eggs and dairy.

Vegetarians who do eat fish and call themselves vegetarians aren't honest and give real vegetarians a bad name. It can be difficult for us to deal with meat-eaters sometimes (believe me, I know) so when "fish-itarians" grandstand about being "vegtetarians" it makes it harder for us because they perpetuate falsehoods.

 

[Laura]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
No, you don't kill the cow to get the milk, but that same cow who produces the milk will either A. give birth to a calf who will be raised for beef B. be killed for beef herself when she outlives her usefulness as a milk cow or C. lives on a farm which also raises beef cows. The industries are interdependent upon one another, so to purchase dairy products is to support the beef industry, which means supporting the raising and killing of cattle.

Yup, I know that. But since it doesn't kill the cow to give me milk, I still drink it. Thanks.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by Laura
Vegetarians don't eat any meat, including fish. Vegans don't eat any animal products, including eggs, dairy, gelatin, rennet, honey, sugar processed with bone char, etc. I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian--I eat eggs and dairy.

Vegetarians who do eat fish and call themselves vegetarians aren't honest and give real vegetarians a bad name. It can be difficult for us to deal with meat-eaters sometimes (believe me, I know) so when "fish-itarians" grandstand about being "vegtetarians" it makes it harder for us because they perpetuate falsehoods.

Thanks for the distinction between the two.

I honestly wasn't aware that there was a big deal made about people's dietary choices (e.g. having to worry about perpetuating falsehoods ).

 

[meandtheguys]

Originally posted by monkeyboy
Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Originally posted by Laura
Yup, I know that. But since it doesn't kill the cow to give me milk, I still drink it. Thanks.

Ah, Okie-Doke. I misunderstood your then, I thought it meant you were confused about the statement/concept. Glad we're all clear!

BTW, you added to your post re: meat-eaters responses to your vegetarianism, and I'm totally with ya there--it annoys me as much, if not more, than the "ethical" vegetarians to have omnivores try to convince vegans/vegetarians to eat meat. Same coin, different sides of it!

 

[Laura]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
Ah, Okie-Doke. I misunderstood your then, I thought it meant you were confused about the statement/concept. Glad we're all clear!

BTW, you added to your post re: meat-eaters responses to your vegetarianism, and I'm totally with ya there--it annoys me as much, if not more, than the "ethical" vegetarians to have omnivores try to convince vegans/vegetarians to eat meat. Same coin, different sides of it!

Indeed.

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
Thanks for the distinction between the two.

I honestly wasn't aware that there was a big deal made about people's dietary choices (e.g. having to worry about perpetuating falsehoods ).

Yeah, I don't like to bother people about what they eat or don't eat. It's more polite. Especially at the dinner table! I prefer leading by example. There are militant vegans and such out there who would give me major guilt trips about my lifestyle. And I just think it's rude. I do the best I can.

But I think people sometimes feel guilty or defensive or something when faced with a vegetarian/vegan or even someone who just doesn't eat venison because they like Bambi. I've gotten grief from one member of my family about it when I switched to the veggie life. But most people are just curious, fortunately.

 

[disneychrista]

IMO it IS meat, just as chicken and turkey are meat (and there are some who say its not )

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

interestingly, when describing what foods are "kosher" the Bible makes a distinction between "meat" and "fish". "meat" (and that includes poultry) cannot be mixed with dairy. fish can be served with dairy food.

 

[TalkisCheap]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
Technically , so are germs/parasites etc. yet vegans shower and take medicine. That's one thing that has always boggled my mind.

Don't talk to my track coach...he's a vegan, but lives in a tent and doesn't shower. My second track coach is a vegetarian but eats some fish, and also doesn't take showers...he's just weird though, so i don't think it has anything to do with vegetarinism...I was just reading this and came across the post and started laughing!

I think fish is meat....but that's just me...

 

[LauraR]

I consider myself a vegetarian, although I do occasionally eat fish. It just saves me alot of trouble explaining things to people. My actual rule of thumb is "don't eat anything you wouldn't be willing to kill yourself," which for me means, cows, pigs, chickens, Bambi and pretty much all other mammals, reptiles and amphibians. I know I'm not consistent as a vegetarian, but I got over killing fish after working on a salmon seiner in Alaska. After I saw their natural life cycle of spawning and then slowing decaying until they are dead, I didn't feel so bad about ending their lives prematurely.
I never preach to my family members what they should eat, and I'm not one for labels, but vegetarian fits me closer than not.

 

[Fizban257]

Originally posted by Laura
I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian--I eat eggs and dairy.

I have a very good friend who is also a lacto-ovo vegetarian. When I asked her why that specific "brand" she told me it was so she could eat cookies and cake--she calls herself a "desert vegetarian."

 

[AirForceRocks]

This whole thread has made me hungry...who's up for a big, juicy steak and a side of pork chops?

 

[ScarlettO]

Oh lookie...I inspired a thread on the CB!

Meat is from hooved animals....fish swims. When asked how often I eat meat each week I count when I eat chicken and turkey(and rearely beef and pork). I eat fish 2 or more times a week and do not consider fish to be meat.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
This whole thread has made me hungry...who's up for a big, juicy steak and a side of pork chops?

LOL This reminds me of the latest Bud Light (I think that's the beer?) radio commercials, Saluting YOU, Mr. Carb Counter...

"The only thing better than Meat and potatoes....is Meat and MEAT."

I love that ad!

 

[meandtheguys]

Originally posted by ScarlettO
Oh lookie...I inspired a thread on the CB!

Meat is from hooved animals....fish swims. When asked how often I eat meat each week I count when I eat chicken and turkey(and rearely beef and pork). I eat fish 2 or more times a week and do not consider fish to be meat.

I don't get the rolly eyes. It seems kind of rude to me. I asked the question over on the DB and didn't get an answer so checked here. I was really curious about it. I have heard people state that, but never thought to ask the reasoning.

 

[Harley Chick]

I've always considered fish meat, and don't eat it as a vegetarian. You know what drives me absolutely nuts though is when you ask at a restaurant if they have anything vegetarian and they tell you vegetable soup, but it's made with chicken broth. Ummm, I don't think so.

 

[caitycaity]

actually, my friend who eats fish and is vegetarian told me that there is a classification for fish eating vegetarians, just like ovo-lacto.

apparently the term is pesco-vegetarian.

actually, i don't really see what the big deal is -- who cares what other people eat, as long as it makes them happy.

 

[faithinkarma]

Originally posted by caitycaity
actually, i don't really see what the big deal is -- who cares what other people eat, as long as it makes them happy.

Yep...as long as they are not cannibals, it's okay with me. Live and let live.

 

[Stratocastermagic]

There are different reasons why some people don't eat meat: for some it's an objection to eating anything that's been sentient or looks cute (after all, carrots are alive too!). But for some, what they have a problem with is farming practices - cows, wether beef or dairy, have spent their whole lives under artificial and restricted conditions in order to provide for our needs and desires. Add to that the amount of grain consumed by beef cattle and ask how many people you could have fed with that grain compared with how many people you can feed with the beef it produces. Growing cattle on fields just isn't an efficient way to feed the world.
Fish, on the other hand, don't consume so much of the world's resources and they needn't live their whole lives being farmed for our purposes.
Which is why some people don't have a hard time eating them when they have been hunted and caught at sea.
Me? I'm an omnivore, but I do worry about the impact we're having on the world.

 

[jacksonsmom]

I am a vegetarian & I consider fish "meat"
I don't eat fish.

I do know there are different "types" of vegetarians, some eat fish, some don't....some eat dairy or eggs, some don't

It really makes no difference to me if a vegetarian eats fish. I am more worried what is on my plate then someone else's