Men’s Health
HOW MUCH MORE parents know, parents do unexpected and unknown things to their children.
I am the father of two girls, aged between nine and 11 years. I am also an old meat consumer. So when my daughters came to me last year and told my wife and me that they had decided that they wanted to stop eating meat, even though they still ate fish, I was initially skeptical.
It’s not that we don’t ever eat fish – we actually eat a good amount – but when you’re eating more fish, well, you have to explore unknown waters.
This would mean that my wife and I would have to change our meal planning, adjust our shopping lists, and also become more familiar with preparing fish.
But my children were determined in their statement, citing their concern for the future of our planet, so we decided to go pescatarian – as a family.
As a registered nutritionist, I know that a diet rich in fish has enormous health benefits.
There are the heart health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. There is lean muscle building protein from all fish. And there is the thrill of an adventurous diet. (If you have ever wondered why it is so difficult to follow a restrictive diet, it is probably because you have lost the precious connection between arousal and food.)
So, in the past three months (and counting!), Here’s how my carnivorous family adjusted to the fishery diet, the benefits we’ve experienced and how you can apply this approach to food in your life as well.
What can you eat on a fishery diet?
The fishery diet is often compared to the Mediterranean diet, which includes seafood, including fish and other aquatic animals (mollusks, squids, octopuses, etc.). “Pesce” means fish in Italian, hence the name of the food approach.
In addition to fish, a good fishery diet is a good In general diet. This can include dairy products like eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese (as was the case with our family). But it should include whole grains, vegetables, olives and lots of fruits and vegetables.
While many people who eat a fishery diet eat eggs and dairy products, others do not. Technically, a person who does would be following a lacto-ovo-fisherman diet (like our girls), but we are not going to be too detailed.
What can’t you eat with a fishery diet?
You cannot eat animal proteins other than fish or seafood.
This would include birds (chicken and duck, for example), ox, pig, lamb or wild game (deer, wild boar, rabbit – you get the picture).
Other than that, the world is your oyster (or seafood, or mussel, or …).
Is a fishery diet a good diet?
It could be.
As a nutritionist, I firmly believe (and research supports me here) that there is no “right” or “wrong” diet – what matters is whether you can make the food approach work in the long run.
Just as a hamburger is not “bad” in itself – it is more about what else is on your plate. It is the same idea with any diet. A fishery diet can be extremely healthy, but if it means living on fish sticks, chips, baked goods and soft drinks (all, technically pescatarian), well, not so much.
On the other hand, any diet that makes the base of your dish rich in fiber and nutrients is good.
“I’m always advocating the inclusion of more whole plant foods in anyone’s eating pattern,” says Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD “While I wholeheartedly support those who choose a totally vegan eating pattern for ethical reasons, those seeking to change their diet for health reasons can really benefit from continuing to include seafood, especially fatty fish and shellfish. “
And that is one of the biggest benefits of a fisherman – diet and why I am happy that our girls wanted to include seafood (otherwise, my wife and I could have stepped back a little).
Fatty cold-water fish, like salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel, can certainly be part of a well-balanced diet plan, especially since one of the main nutrients in these fish – omega-3 fats – is difficult to obtain. other foods.
What kind of meals do you eat on the fishery diet?
If you don’t eat a lot of fish, you have to be creative.
My family loves to cook and loves to spend time in the kitchen, but we had to get some cookbooks, browse the internet and try some dishes that we normally wouldn’t eat if it weren’t for this experiment.
But this is good.
We looked for alternatives to meatballs and made those with lentils (great option), tofu (there are not many fans in this house), we tried different bean and grain salads and we all comment that we feel very good about our new approach, especially since we are all gathering our heads to find great options that we all like.
That said, my wife and I are not avoiding eating completely, and (maybe) our girls are also not for the rest of their lives. However, we are about 3 months old and they are staying strong and we will continue to support them and everyone learn and explore new foods together.
And science confirms that. More data is emerging showing how beans reign supreme in what are known as Blue Zones (areas of the world where there are plenty of centenarians). Combine this with getting more omega-3 fats (and selenium, zinc and many other nutrients) than before, and we will all feel better.
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