I've decided to become vegetarian for various reasons... However, I've met several vegetarians who include fish in their diet, what do you think about that?

And see this post: http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=42087

If someone eats fish, then they are not a vegetarian. :)

Ultimately it's up to you to decide what YOU think is right, but if that includes eating fish then the vegetarian title is not applicable.

There is a title for someone who eats fish but would otherwise be vegetarian - pescetarian.

I think that they are not vegetarians, as fish are animals, and vegetarians don't eat animals.

Ecology: Eating fish is harmful to our eco systoms
Animal rights: fish are vegetables (see my avator)
Health: the health benefits of eating fish are over hyped

Welcome to VB, and congrats on comming this far. Any particular reason for wanting to still eat fish? I never understand how people make the distinction between different animals... I suppose its better then one person I know who says she doesn't eat only the cute animals.
Hopefully comming here will increase your info on the whole veg*n thang (or pescetarian if that's what you choose), and you'll find a whole bunch of great people to talk to!

Vegetarian

Noun

A person who subsists on a diet made up of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, algea, fungi, bacteria, and sometimes eggs or dairy products.

People often use words in new and creative ways. Using "vegetarian" to include eating fish is one such creative and misleading use of the term.

I can not express how much it drives me up the wall, people who call themselves vegetarian and eat fish and or chicken!! Of course only eating fish is better than eating the whole scope of animals in my eyes, but just don't call yourself a vegetarian!!! It makes life harder for veg*ns too as many people assume you eat fish and or chicken!!

I've decided to become vegetarian for various reasons... However, I've met several vegetarians who include fish in their diet, what do you think about that?

What do we think about what?
Re: the fact you've decided to become vegetarian.... great.
Re: the fact you've met fake vegetarians..... my condolences.

It makes me mad when people say that they are vegetarian and eat fish. New flash you are not vegetarian. Duh

If someone eats fish, then they are not a vegetarian. :)

I agree. Have you seen "Finding Nemo?" Fish are animals too. :bow:

Health: the health benefits of eating fish are over hyped

The health benefits of eating fish are definetely over-hyped. Many fish contain large amounts of mercury which can be toxic if too much is ingested.

It's just like the hype surrounding milk. I'm not saying milk is bad for you as I haven't done enough research on it, but milk is definetly not the miracle drink the "Got milk?" adds want you to believe it is. I mean, come on, the ads are created by the dairy farmers of america, it says so at the end of the ad.

fish are friends, not food !

However, I've met several vegetarians who include fish in their diet, what do you think about that?

:stinkeye:

I think they are flexitarians :D

seriously .......fish are animals .....vegetarians don't eat animals ...thus people who eat fish aren't vegetarians

They could be doing great things and I'm happy for everything they these peeple should use the correct words or the words will become (or are in the process of becoming ) totally meaningless in the future.

I am vegetarian. I eat nothing that ever had a nervous system. Nuff said.

Oh, come on Boca Boy :) Fish are animals and they feel pain. :notvegan:

Well, I at least I think it's better than being a full on meat eater...every little bit helps.

A girl who works in the lab with my boyfriend doesn't eat meat on a regular basis, but now and then has some. In my book, she's a lot better than someone who 'says' they're vegetarian but still eats meat.

Well, sure :) But eating fish cannot be called vegetarian, can it? Hi hi hi, let's be serious here :whip:

Being a vegetarian for over two years I now lothe anyone who dares to call themselves a vegetarian while eating fish. However, when I first became a vegetarian I still ate fish on occasion because I was told by a fellow vegetarian that REAL vegetarians still eat fish. :doh: Ugh. Many people are very uninformed.

There a professor at my school who is a fish eating vegetarian. I hope I never get her class, and if I do, I'll call her a dumbass and leave. This is how much I lothe veg*ns who eat fish. There was some chick on here who called herself a vegan but she ate fish because her mom was a nurse who said she NEEDED to. I don't think I commented on that one.. probably because I'd be banned.

I know quite a few people who call themselves 'vegetarian' but still eat fish. Although they might not fit the label, I don't judge them for it - in reality, no one's completely 'pure'. Vegans can criticize l/o vegetarians for propping up the dairy industry, and similarly, vegans themselves can be criticized for being hypocrites if they destroy animals' habitats by not being eco-friendly( I know a few vegans with about five cars, and I do wonder sometimes how they can go on about AR while pumping emissions into the natural world) Everyone is a hypocrite occasionally, and in my book, pescetarians are still doing a lot more than most. I started out as a pescetarian, and I'm now going vegan, proof that the more encourage ment you get with veg*nism, the further you go.

You should't criticize anyone who's at least trying to make a difference! I do think that vegetarianism is not enough, but it's still soooo much and such a big step to living without cruelty, and I really cannot understand how vegans can ever think anything bad about vegetarians??!! There are so many people in the world that are against us, and so many people who we can confront, how could we then 'fight' with each other?! That's so stupid:grr: WE can make a difference, but only when we are united in it u know? So, love to all of you :lovesign:

I don't know if this has been said yet or not, if so I apologize.

Taking any animal product out of your diet is a step in the right direction. Even if it is only one or two types of meat. For me personally, I don't see a difference between fish and chicken. I mean, obviously they are two different creatures, but seafood is the meat of one animal just as poultry is the meat of another animal. Fish are living breathing animals who can feel pain as well. Factory farmed fish live in terrible conditions, just as all factory farmed animals do. Fish in the water are being OVERfished. Our seas are being cleaned out. Many other sea animals die in the process.

Also, I don't mean to offend anyone, but I've never been able to understand how a chicken eater or a fish eater is a VEGetarian. It's still meat. It's still dead animals. Like I said though, any step you make is a step in the right direction even if you don't become fully vegan. Ultimately, the decision is your's.