The food industry is one of the most rapidly growing and changing industries. A new dietary trend pops up now and then, but only a few stay past the initial buzz.
However, plant-based diets have proven to be more than just a fad. They have not only gained widespread popularity but have also been the subject of scientific research and study. The primary reason is the health benefits of plant-based diets, for which research has found positive evidence.
While an increasingly large number of people have been transitioning to plant-based diets for various reasons, most of them struggle to stay consistent because of their restrictive nature. Over time, people have started making alterations in their plant-based diets to accommodate their dietary needs and habits, resulting in various versions of plant-based diets.
The Pollo-Pescetarian diet, also called the Pesco-Pollotarian diet, is a modified version of a plant-based diet.
What Is Pollo-Pescetarianism?
Pollo-Pescetarianism is a sub-category of vegetarianism that combines the guiding principles of Pollotarian and Pescetarian diets.
A Pollo-Pescetarian diet only restricts the consumption of red meat. This means that a Pollo-Pesco vegetarian cannot eat beef, mutton, pork, lamb, veal, goat, and venison (deer meat) but can consume poultry and seafood.
Since the Pollo-Pescetarian diet allows some forms of meat, it’s also often referred to as a semi-vegetarian diet.
Do Pollo-Pescetarians Eat Eggs and Dairy?
Pollo-Pescetarians have the liberty to decide if they want to consume eggs and dairy or not. Some do, while others prefer to avoid them entirely or consume them only occasionally.
The reasons behind the varying choices depend from taste and personal preferences to health and ethical considerations.
Can Pollo-Pescetarians Eat Turkey?
Yes. Pollo-Pescetarians can eat all types of poultry meat, including turkey, ducks, geese, and chicken.
Why Do People Opt for a Pollo-Pescetarian Diet?
There can be many reasons why people choose to follow a Pollo-Pescetarian diet:
· To Improve Their Health
High consumption of red meat, which is an attribute of the western pattern diet, has long been known to increase the risk of several health problems, including hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease. Several research studies also suggest that a high intake of red meat can put you at risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Given these health risks, healthcare practitioners have long been recommending people to reduce their red meat intake. Those at high risk or who have already developed certain health issues are often told to exclude red meat from their diets altogether.
The Pesco-Pollotarian diet is an excellent option for people looking to avoid red meat for health purposes but do not want to or can’t (I hear ya meat lovers!) give up on meat completely.
Since the Pollo-Pescetarian vegetarian diet eliminates the primary source of saturated fats, it can also lower the risk of obesity and benefit your waistline, too.
· To Lower Their Environmental Impact
The increasing awareness about the environmental impact of human activities has led to the realization of the high environmental cost of raising livestock.
Research from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations tells that 14.5% of all human-made greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock. A whopping 65% of livestock emissions come from cattle farming, whereas chickens make up only 8% of the livestock sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, research concludes that fish eaters contribute 46% less greenhouse gas emissions than those who eat at least one serving of meat daily.
The ever-increasing demand for meat is also causing massive deforestation, as more and more land is needed to raise livestock. Furthermore, over-grazing is contributing to land degradation. You can refer to my article “Why Go Vegan?” for a detailed discussion on the environmental and ethical reasons for adopting a plant-based lifestyle.
There are several more statistics available that show the high negative environmental impact of raising livestock.
While going vegetarian or vegan is the best way to lower your environmental impact, choosing a Pesco-Pollo vegetarian diet can also make a significant difference.
· As a Stepping Stone to Plant-Based Diet
Meat eaters often have a hard time transitioning to plant-based diets. And understandably so. It’s not easy to give up on foods that you like or are used to eating. In fact, one of the major reasons why many people find it difficult to follow a vegetarian diet or commit to veganism is because they struggle to stop eating meat altogether all of a sudden.
For such people, a Pollo-Pescetarian diet serves as a stepping stone to adopting a plant-based lifestyle. It helps them reduce their meat consumption, making it a little easier to eliminate it from the diet.
· To Prevent or Address Nutritional Deficiencies
Poor lifestyles and following highly restrictive diets for a long time can lead to nutrient deficiencies. The chances increase multifold if you belong to a high-risk population group.
For those who do not know, women of child-bearing age, pregnant ladies, lactating women, children, and the elderly are considered high-risk groups for nutritional deficiencies. Research also suggests that certain illnesses and infections can affect your nutritional status by impacting metabolic responses, hampering the process of intestinal absorption, and/or causing direct loss of nutrients in the gut.
A purely vegetarian diet may not be the best option for those who are at a higher risk of nutritional deficiencies or have already developed a deficiency for any reason. Hence, the Pollo-Pesco diet makes a viable alternative for those looking to reduce their meat intake and adopt a healthier diet.
With a Pesco-Pollo diet, they can continue to consume all the food groups, making it easier to maintain a healthy balance of all essential nutrients.
· For Religious Reasons
Certain religions, such as Hinduism and certain traditions of Buddhism, restrict their followers from consuming red meat. In contrast, some, like Islam and Judaism, only allow meat that’s cut in a specific manner. These religious restrictions are often the reason why people opt for a Pollo-Pescetarian diet.
Want to learn more about the benefits and pros and cons of the Pesco-Pollotarian diet? Or do you need suggestions for what to eat when on a Pollo-Pescetarian diet? Check out the following video to learn from someone who’s actually following the diet:
A Final Word
Even though there are some ethical issues associated with the Pollo-Pescetarian vegetarian diet, it’s inarguably better than a non-vegan diet in every way from the perspective of hardcore vegans. Whether you’re looking to improve your health, lower your environmental impact, or want to gradually transition to a plant-based lifestyle, choosing a Pollo-Pescetarian vegetarian diet is a great way to begin your journey towards improving your dietary habits.
For a large number of people, it’s also a lot easier to stick to the Pesco-Pollotarian diet for the long term due to its less restrictive nature. It doesn’t make you feel that you’re missing out on something or leave you craving for certain foods, which many people experience on a completely plant-based diet.
It’s important to mention here that the decision to choose between the different versions of plant-based diets is personal to everyone, and we shouldn’t judge people for their dietary choices. So, don’t treat anyone differently just because they choose to follow a diet that doesn’t meet your dietary preferences or ethical considerations.
Want to know how people feel while following a Pesco-Pollotarian diet? Check out the following Reddit post to see what someone who has been following the diet for 13 years says about it:
Did you find this article helpful? Check out my blog for more interesting and informational articles on veganism.
