You mean you dont eat fish?!?

1624 Views 21 Replies 15 Participants Last post by thatoneguy, Nov 12, 2007

SugarBlue27

Discussion Starter · Nov 5, 2007

It seems that every time I tell someone I'm a vegetarian this is the response I get:

THEM: You're a vegetarian and trying to gain weight????

ME: yup

THEM: So you dont eat chicken?

ME: no...

THEM: What about fish? Its soo good for you, you have to eat fish?

ME:no...

THEM: Are you a vegan?

ME: no, but practically

THEM: Its so unhealthy to be vegan, dont do it, you're body needs some animal products..and go eat some fish!

What do you say to this? I mean what part of being a vegetarian dont people understand? Everyone assumes veggies eat fish or something...I'm pretty sure you can get the same fats from walnuts or osmething? Correct me if I'm wrong?

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

Libellula

· #2 · Nov 5, 2007

Yes, you can get Omega-3s from other sources, like Linseed (flax) or Walnuts. You do not need fish.

when you get asked if you eat fish, tell them that a fish are friends, not food.

cookingVeg

· #3 · Nov 5, 2007

Since I'm lacto-ovo vegetarian, I find it very funny to be told "You don't eat fish?! You're practically vegan."

No, I'm not practically vegan. I eat dairy and eggs, which are animal products.

There's nothing in fish you can't get somewhere else. Possibly mercury, but if you're really keen on eating that I'm sure you can find a way.

GhostUser

· #4 · Nov 5, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libellula

like Linseed (flax) or Walnuts.

I have started putting flax seeds (that I grind at home in a coffee grinder) in all of my foods for the Omega-3s. Any recipe I make that I can put them in, I do. You have to put a TON to be able to taste it, it just gives all my food interesting little brown spots lol

Fromper

· #5 · Nov 5, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegreenmom

I have started putting flax seeds (that I grind at home in a coffee grinder) in all of my foods for the Omega-3s. Any recipe I make that I can put them in, I do. You have to put a TON to be able to taste it, it just gives all my food interesting little brown spots lol

I just buy them already ground and put a spoonful on my cereal. I only eat cereal a couple of times per week, though. I also drink Silk soy milk with extra omega-3, so I figure I'm getting plenty of omega-3 overall.

--Fromper

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GhostUser

· #6 · Nov 5, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fromper

I just buy them already ground and put a spoonful on my cereal. I only eat cereal a couple of times per week, though. I also drink Silk soy milk with extra omega-3, so I figure I'm getting plenty of omega-3 overall.

--Fromper

How are you storing the flax? The problem with flax that is already ground is that after a not very long period of time (I'd have to research to find an exact time frame, but I think it's about a month) some of the good things in it actually turn into things that AREN'T good for you and the Omega-3 basically dies off. So if you're only eating cereal a few times a week and you are using the same flax you have for a while, it may not actually be helpful anymore

. That's why I buy a thing of flax seeds and keep them in an airtight container (the omega-3s stay fine in the whole seeds for a good while) then grind them when needed or I'll grind up on Sunday what I need for the week.

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Fromper

· #7 · Nov 5, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegreenmom

How are you storing the flax? The problem with flax that is already ground is that after a not very long period of time (I'd have to research to find an exact time frame, but I think it's about a month) some of the good things in it actually turn into things that AREN'T good for you and the Omega-3 basically dies off. So if you're only eating cereal a few times a week and you are using the same flax you have for a while, it may not actually be helpful anymore

. That's why I buy a thing of flax seeds and keep them in an airtight container (the omega-3s stay fine in the whole seeds for a good while) then grind them when needed or I'll grind up on Sunday what I need for the week.

I didn't know that. I keep them in an airtight container in the fridge, and I had heard that they smell when they go bad, which hasn't happened yet, so I just figured they were still good.

--Fromper

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GhostUser

· #8 · Nov 5, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fromper

I didn't know that. I keep them in an airtight container in the fridge, and I had heard that they smell when they go bad, which hasn't happened yet, so I just figured they were still good.

--Fromper

I'm trying to find the information about it just because I remember reading it in a few places. I've found these so far:

Quote:

Also, do NOT grind up flaxseed and put it in a jar for storage, even in the frig. Grind up what you need fresh.

http://www.grouppekurosawa.com/nutrition.htm

Quote:

Yes in order to release the nutrition and other EFA's. It also needs to be fresh ground as the oils start to break down immediately.

In fact the only issues with flaxseed has been when the product was pre-ground or in oil form...both of which have a high propensity towards rancifying quickly! Once its rancid it will have negative consequences in the body.

http://www.singledivers.com/surfacei...topic=39&st=15

Quote:

Flax in the ground state spoils VERY rapidly so yes you grind fresh as you wish to use it. (Just as you would eat an apple right after cutting it and not hours or days or weeks later. The only difference is that you can see the apple deteriorating but not the flaxseed.)[

Flax in the unground or seed state has an almost indefinite shelf life and dates back to the Egyptians. Just do not store in the refrig or else you'll draw moisture and cause the seeds to mildew or even sprout. banghead.gif

Yes...the additional of flax can easily help you lose weight, will help you regain energy and feel balanced and less stressed. Not to mention lower blood pressure, lower chrolestral, regulate blood sugars, help diabetes, help protect against cancers, balance hormones, improve skin, hair, nails etc.

P.S. Use ONLY the golden flaxseed and not the dark which is grown for commercial uses. I have a preferred brand that I can easily and inexpensively ship to you or help you find...it has NEVER been touched by human hands and comes directly from our farmers in the US.

http://www.singledivers.com/surfacei...topic=39&st=15

Just wanted to be sure that my information was accurate. Two of those are from webforums (last two). I'm sure there are more legitimate places to find the information, but I'm only able to be online for a short time so I found what I could.

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FafaFrappy

· #9 · Nov 5, 2007

moving to vegetarian discussion...

rabid_child

· #10 · Nov 5, 2007

I tend to tell people that I didn't eat fish when I did eat meat. Because it's nasty.

illyrianmoon

· #11 · Nov 6, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabid_child

I tend to tell people that I didn't eat fish when I did eat meat. Because it's nasty.

Yeah, seriously! I was never down with the crustaceans either. . .

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Mrrple

· #12 · Nov 6, 2007

I don't understand why people assume it's unhealthy to be a vegetarian, especially when almost every omni I know eats horrid food that is DEFINITELY not good for them. It's so hypocritical.

danakscully64

· #13 · Nov 6, 2007

^^^

I often respond to people like this with something along the lines of:

"You are obviously very uneducated on the subject."

or

"I used to be just as naive as you."

or

"Oh, I didn't know you were a dietician!"

or

Fish response: "I've never heard of a fish plant..."

It really depends on who I'm talking to. I try to be nice, but so many people start off with hostility, trying to make me look stupid when they're the ones who clearly are.

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ashlend

· #14 · Nov 6, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookingVeg

Since I'm lacto-ovo vegetarian, I find it very funny to be told "You don't eat fish?! You're practically vegan."

No, I'm not practically vegan. I eat dairy and eggs, which are animal products.

I get this too! No one's ever said "You're practically vegan," but I've told numerous people I was a vegetarian only to be asked "Do you eat fish?" Then when I say no, they respond, "Wow!" Like that makes me a really strict vegetarian or something, instead of just being part of the definition of vegetarianism.

GhostUser

· #15 · Nov 6, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashlend

I get this too! No one's ever said "You're practically vegan," but I've told numerous people I was a vegetarian only to be asked "Do you eat fish?" Then when I say no, they respond, "Wow!" Like that makes me a really strict vegetarian or something, instead of just being part of the definition of vegetarianism.

This reminds me of my senior English teacher. I did my term paper on cruelty to animals and when I mentioned I was vegan she said, "I have a long time friend who is a vegetarian." Which had me kind of excited that she knew about the subject, but then she went on to say something along the lines of, "Yea it's always hard when we go out to eat especially if the place doesn't sell fish"

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juno

· #16 · Nov 7, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegreenmom

I'm trying to find the information about it just because I remember reading it in a few places. I've found these so far:

http://www.grouppekurosawa.com/nutrition.htm

http://www.singledivers.com/surfacei...topic=39&st=15

http://www.singledivers.com/surfacei...topic=39&st=15

Just wanted to be sure that my information was accurate. Two of those are from webforums (last two). I'm sure there are more legitimate places to find the information, but I'm only able to be online for a short time so I found what I could.

Hmm... I bought a pack of organic ground flax seeds last month, I think, and I've been putting 2 tablespoons in my soy milk every day. It says on the package to store it in the fridge or freezer... I'm confused.

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TheFriskyCat

· #17 · Nov 7, 2007

The other night I went out with my parents and their friends at a restaurant and I was asked if I wanted to try some of the raw salmon my parents friend was eating. This is pretty much how the conversation went:

Me: No, real vegetarians don't eat fish.

Him: You don't eat fish?

Me: No.

Him: You know, real vegetarians don't eat dairy or eggs.

Me: You mean a pure vegetarian or vegan.

His friend: Yeah.

I should have said "so you agree with me, vegetarians don't eat fish." I can never think fast on my feat, i just get flustered

Also, I had had almost this exact conversation with these people before, I guess meat eating affects your memory.

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GothicCandle

· #18 · Nov 8, 2007

When people say that to me i kindly tell them that vegetarians do not eat fish. Vegetarians do not eat any animals. They then meanly "remind" me that they know lots of vegetarians who eat fish. I kindly tell them that those people wrongly label themselves and in reality they are called pescatarians. They will try and argure with me, so then I simply tell them I always hated the taste of fish and have no idea why anyone would eat it. they tell me it tastes good and its good for you. Its a never ending cycle with these people and you can't win. The only thing you can do is tell them that there are other ways of getting vital nutrents with out the senseless harming of a living thing. It helps if you can name a number of different ways. But again, they will probley find another way to argue with you. You can't win.

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danakscully64

· #19 · Nov 9, 2007

That's when you say "Do you own a dictionary? Look up the word vegetarian." It clearly states fish is meat... it comes from the animal family. Even if you can't win, at least you have the support of the dictionary.

Fromper

· #20 · Nov 9, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by danakscully64

That's when you say "Do you own a dictionary? Look up the word vegetarian." It clearly states fish is meat... it comes from the animal family. Even if you can't win, at least you have the support of the dictionary.

Unfortunately, even that depends on what dictionary you use.

--Fromper

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