What is Pesco-Pollotarianism?

In a previous blog, I mentioned that I was following a Pesco-Pollotarian lifestyle. Initially, I wasn't setting out to become a Pesco-Pollotarian. I had given up eating pork and red meat as a way to become healthier. In doing that, I have lost over 6lbs since June. I briefly went over my new way of life in the blog post, but I wanted to go more into detail about this diet.


What is Pollotarianism?
Pollotarianism consists of adhering to a poultry (and sometimes seafood) diet. 
Back in the 1980s, it was known as pollo-vegetarianism, or semi-vegetarianism. A historian described pollotarians as those who refrain from eating mammals, but eat birds (and sometimes fish). 

Pollotarians refrain from eating red meat and pork products. Those who include fish and seafood in their lifestyle are called Pesco (Pescatarian)-Pollotarians.

What is Pescatarianism?
Pescatarianism is the practice of eating seafood as the only meat source. 

Are their any benefits to this diet?
While the research on this specific lifestyle is limited, the elimination of red and processed meats provide a ton of benefits:

• Possible decreased risk of Heart Disease.
• Possible decreased risk of certain types of Cancers
• Possible decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
• Could help with weight loss.

Along with these amazing benefits, this diet is also great for the environment. It helps decrease irrigation water, and is more sustainable than animal products. 

There are some risks associated with this lifestyle:

• Decreased iron and zinc intake.
• Decreased intake of B12.
• Decreased calcium.
• Decreased intake of omega-3 fatty acids (if you adhere to a Pesco-Pollotarian lifestyle, you don't have to worry about this as much). 

What can you eat on a Pesco-Pollotarian diet?

• Fish and Seafood.
• Whole grain and grain products.
• Veggies
• Fruits
• Legumes
• Nuts, seeds, nut butters.
• Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck).
• Plant-based Protein (tofu, pea protein, seitan, etc).
• Healthy fats (avocado coconut, olive oil, etc).
• Non-dairy products (almond and coconut milk, coconut yogurt, etc).

Some Pesco-Pollotarians do incorporate eggs and dairy products. I do, but only once in a while. I've transition from regular eggs to Just Egg products. It's a plant-based non-egg egg product. You can read my review of the product here.

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​Many people believe that both Pollotarianism and Pescatarianism are the gateway to vegetarianism. I've thought about it, and I don't see myself becoming vegetarian anytime soon. I want to thoroughly research vegetarianism before I embark on that journey. Right now, I feel like Pesco-Pollotarianism fits me very well. My fatigue has decreased. I don't feel queasy anymore. I've lost weight, and I just feel so much better. Before I began this journey, I ate like I was about to go to the electric chair. I ate packages of GF Oreo cookies in one sitting, and tons of sushi in one sitting. I was overdosing on bad carbs, and I felt so lousy. I had a lot of things that prompted me to change my ways, but I needed to be ready first. One day, I woke up and I was ready. I haven't had a processed carb in almost a month. I went through horrible carb withdrawal when I began this journey. It was all worth it because I feel so amazing! Nothing beats this feeling! 

I hope everyone learned something about Pesco-Pollotarianism. If you have any questions, let me know on social media, or drop me a line on my contact page. Have a great weekend! <3 

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