Flexitarian Vs Pescatarian Diets: What's The Actual Difference?

Both flexitarian and pescatarian diets have gained popularity in recent years. However, many people do not understand the distinctions between these two diets, and some may even wonder if there is a difference between the two at all. To put it simply: there definitely is a difference. A flexitarian is someone who keeps their consumption of meat, seafood, and poultry to a minimum, though they do eat these foods on occasion. (Just how often is down to personal preference.) A pescatarian, on the other hand, is somebody who never eats meat or poultry but does eat fish or other forms of seafood. 

In practice, this means that both a flexitarian and a pescatarian would be able to experiment with tasty seafood and spice pairings like salmon and sumac. However, only the former could enjoy chicken and green chile quesadillas. Of course, both of these diets are less restrictive than others such as vegetarian and vegan diets that cut out meat (and, for vegans, all animal products) entirely.

There are numerous reasons why people follow flexitarian and pescatarian diets, though many point to health or environmental reasons. In terms of health, both diets have been shown to provide potentially significant benefits. A study published in BMC Medicine revealed that those following a pescatarian diet had a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer than meat eaters. Elsewhere, a review of evidence-based literature published in Frontiers in Nutrition revealed that people following a flexitarian diet can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Aside from health, people also adopt these diets for environmental reasons. A study published in Nature Food revealed that daily diets that contained 100 grams of meat were responsible for producing nearly double the amount of carbon dioxide of those that only contained 50 grams of meat. Diets that eschewed meat in favor of fish were responsible for producing even less carbon dioxide. 

So, whether you are interested in feeling healthier or cutting your carbon footprint, a pescatarian or flexitarian diet could be for you. And don't worry about the quality of your meals, as there are plenty of good options, including some wonderful plant-based burgers, out there.