When asked if fish qualifies as meat, most of us would probably say “yes. “After all, do you know any vegetarians, vegans, or other people who don’t eat meat who eat fish and say it doesn’t count?” But there’s a surprising amount of disagreement about this subject, especially when it comes to religious holidays like Lent.
Meat is the flesh of any animal that is eaten, according to Merriam-Webster and the US Department of Agriculture. But if you ask a Catholic, you might be surprised by how they define fish vs. meat and which animals they consider fish. Many of us know that Catholics over the age of 14 follow a special diet during Lent, which includes not eating meat on Friday; they also fast. However, fish is fair game, and there are several theories as to why this is.
As the US Conference of Catholic Bishops says, meat only comes from animals that live on land. Some say it’s just a matter of definition. The tradition of not eating meat on Fridays, the day Jesus Christ was killed, comes from most religious sources. People don’t want to spill blood on that day. Additionally, theologians in the Middle Ages pushed the practice as a way for Catholics to be more humble and grow spiritually by giving up the decadence, luxury, and physical pleasure of meat.
Does Fish Count as Meat? Everything You Need to Know
Seafood is a delicious and nutritious food, but an ongoing debate persists – should fish be classified as a type of meat? With different definitions of meat and health and dietary factors to consider, it’s not a straight yes or no answer. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore whether fish is considered meat from various perspectives to help you decide where you stand in this aquatic debate.
The Complex Question of Fish as Meat
The question “is fish meat?” has been argued for ages The definition of meat has changed over time and varies between cultures and religions Here are some key points on both sides of the fish-as-meat debate
Arguments for fish as meat:
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Fish is animal flesh used for food matching the dictionary definition of meat.
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Fish provides protein and nutrients like other meats.
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Pescatarians consider fish acceptable but not other meats, implying fish is viewed as a meat.
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Catholics classify fish as meat by abstaining from it on Fridays during Lent.
Arguments against fish as meat:
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Fish are cold-blooded animals, unlike warm-blooded livestock like cows and pigs that are commonly viewed as meat.
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The Catholic church states that only warm-blooded animals count as meat.
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Many religions like Judaism and Hinduism make distinctions between land animals considered meat and aquatic life like fish.
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Vegetarian diets like lacto-ovo often permit fish but not other meats.
So is fish meat? There are good cases on both sides stemming from how meat is defined. Next, let’s look at how health and dietary factors add more layers to this complex question.
Health and Dietary Differences Between Fish and Meat
More than just technical definitions, there are tangible health and nutritional differences between fish and other animal meats that further the debate on whether fish counts as meat:
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Fish provides more omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, calcium, selenium compared to red meat.
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Replacing red meat with fish is associated with lower risks of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and stroke.
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Doctors recommend eating fish for heart health, but say limit red meat.
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Those with alpha-gal red meat allergy can usually tolerate fish without issue.
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Pescatarian and flexitarian diets permit fish but restrict other meats for health.
So while fish and meat both supply protein, their nutritional profiles vary – which is a key aspect of the fish-as-meat discussion. Their distinct health impacts make the case that fish should not be lumped together with meats from a dietary perspective.
Religious Classifications of Fish as Meat
Various religions have specific guidelines on what is considered meat, which also shape perspectives on whether fish is meat:
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Catholicism – Only warm-blooded animals like mammals and birds are classified as meat. Cold-blooded fish is allowed on Fridays and Lent.
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Judaism – Fish with fins and scales is seen as pareve, neither meat or dairy. But land animals like pork and beef are meats.
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Hinduism – Most don’t eat meat from mammals and birds, but many eat fish and seafood. Vegetarians abstain from all meat, including fish.
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Islam – Fish and sea creatures are generally Halal and allowed. But restrictions apply to some aquatic animals like frogs and crocodiles.
These examples demonstrate how religions conceptualize meat and fish under different categories based on doctrine and Scriptural interpretations. So faith traditions treat fish as distinct from meat.
Can Vegetarians Eat Fish? Depends on the Diet
One more lens on the fish-as-meat debate is whether vegetarian diets permit the consumption of fish:
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Pescatarians – Eat fish and seafood, but no other meats. Shows fish is separate from meat in their view.
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Lacto-ovo – Allow eggs, dairy and fish, but exclude poultry and other meats.
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Flexitarians – Mostly vegetarian but occasionally eat meat, fish and poultry.
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Vegans – Exclude all animal products and meats, including fish.
These varying vegetarian diet patterns demonstrate that fish is sometimes classified as a meat, but not always. Most vegetarian lifestyles make a distinction between land and aquatic animals.
So what’s the final answer – is fish meat? There are fair arguments on both sides, from dictionary definitions to nutritional profiles to religious and dietary practices. How fish is classified ultimately seems to come down to individual perspectives based on upbringing, beliefs, culture, and personal health needs.
Rather than a definitive yes or no, the question “is fish considered meat?” may have to remain open to interpretation. The issue certainly brings up food for thought on how we conceptualize different animal proteins in our diets and lives. At the end of the day, it’s about finding the healthiest seafood and meat balance that aligns with your own principles and lifestyle.
So while the fish meat debate may persist unresolved, what matters most is choosing high quality, sustainable animal proteins as part of an overall balanced diet, whether from land or sea. Focusing on the nutritional benefits you’re seeking rather than technical labels is the smartest approach when incorporating fish and other meats into your healthy eating plan.
Why meat is off the table for Lent, but fish can stay
Fasting has a long history in the Catholic faith. It was used to strengthen the connection between believers and their god in the Old Testament. In the Middle Ages, however, the practice of not eating certain foods during Lent took on a slightly different meaning. This was largely due to the influence of theologian Thomas Aquinas’s work Summa Theologica. The text says that not eating meat is important because it reminds us that Christ gave up his own flesh for us when he died.
The flesh that Catholics were advised to abstain from were “those foods which both afford most pleasure to the palate, and besides are a very great incentive to lust” (via CCEL). Referencing the teachings of Albert the Great, Europes top biologist at the time, Aquinas argued that eating animals that were physically similar to humans (warm-blooded animals, that is) would be most pleasurable and nourishing, and therefore, could inadvertently increase feelings of lust and enhance virility.
During Lent, people try to be as disciplined as Christ by fasting and being humble, and they work on their self-control by giving up certain pleasures, like eating “meat.” But because fish weren’t as much like Christ, they weren’t thought to be as tasty as land animals, so they were safe to eat during Lent.
Why Isn’t Fish Considered Meat?
Do vegetarians eat fish?
In fact, fish and chicken are often isolated from other types of meat because they are not red meat. People on diets that avoid red meat may say they don’t eat meat, which does not include fish or poultry in their opinions. However, a vegetarian (someone who does not eat meat) does not consume birds, fish, mammals, or other animals.
Does fish count as meat?
Yes, fish does indeed count as meat. According to the culinary definition of meat, it refers to the flesh of an animal. Fish, being an aquatic vertebrate, fits this description perfectly. 1. Is fish considered a vegetarian option? No, fish is not considered a vegetarian option as it is derived from an animal.
Why is fish not a meat?
I reckon that in most cases that it boils down to “Fish isn’t a meat because when I was growing up I was told it’s not a meat”, or something like that. In terms of etymology, “meat” originally just meant “food” and as such could be used for food of any kind.
What is the difference between fish and chicken?
Fish animal flesh does not have a different name, much like chicken meat is just called chicken. In fact, fish and chicken are often isolated from other types of meat because they are not red meat. People on diets that avoid red meat may say they don’t eat meat, which does not include fish or poultry in their opinions.