When it comes to plant-based meat, companies have proven themselves to be highly innovative. There’s a vegan version of just about anything you can imagine, including lobster.
Soy, pea protein, wheat protein, and mushrooms are just a few of the things that are used to make a lot of vegan products. But what is vegan lobster made of? Making plant-based meat can take a long time and be hard to do, especially when you want the taste and texture to be just right. But it’s not impossible. Article continues below advertisement.
As a long-time pescatarian and seafood lover, I often get asked whether lobster is considered vegetarian. This question has sparked a lot of debate among vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. As a food blogger, I wanted to do a deep dive on this topic and settle it once and for all.
I gotta say, when I first went vegetarian about 5 years ago, I just assumed lobster was off limits I mean, it lives in the ocean, has a bunch of legs, and is cooked alive – sounds like an animal to me! But the more I researched, the more I realized it’s not a simple yes or no answer There are actually good arguments on both sides.
The Case For Lobster Being Vegetarian
Here are some reasons why someone could make the case that lobster is vegetarian
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Lobsters are more closely related to insects than animals. Taxonomically speaking, lobsters belong to the phylum Arthropoda which also includes insects, spiders, and crabs. Since some vegetarians are comfortable eating insects, they may lump lobsters into the same category.
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They don’t have centralized nervous systems Lobsters have decentralized nervous systems with ganglia or nerve bundles spread throughout their bodies Some argue this means they can’t feel pain or suffering the same way animals with centralized brains and nervous systems can,
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Cooking them may be more humane than assumed. Many think boiling lobsters alive is cruel. But some research shows chilling them or electrocuting their nerves before cooking may minimize pain. More humane cooking methods sway some vegetarians.
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Personal choice. At the end of the day, vegetarianism is a personal choice. If someone’s convicted not to eat flesh but are okay with lobster, who’s to say they’re wrong? To each their own.
Arguments Against Lobster Being Vegetarian
However, there are also very strong arguments that lobster and other decapod crustaceans like crab and shrimp are totally off limits for vegetarians:
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They are clearly animals, not plants. Lobsters belong to the animal kingdom. Vegetarianism is defined as abstaining from all animal flesh. Pretty cut and dried.
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Lobsters feel pain. Recent research shows crustaceans definitely react to painful stimuli. Argument that they can’t feel pain don’t hold up scientifically.
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Boiling them alive is inhumane. Cooking any animal alive, whether they feel pain or not, is ethically questionable to most vegetarians. Kill it first at least!
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Sustainability issues with overfishing. Fisheries that supply lobster, crab, and shrimp have sustainability issues from overfishing and bycatch. Environmental concerns.
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Health issues from toxins. Lobsters and other bottom feeders have much higher toxin levels which lead to potential health issues. Plant sources are safer.
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They are biologically and structurally similar to other animals we don’t eat as vegetarians, like spiders or even grasshoppers. Taxonomy matters more than some visible differences.
Pescatarians Can Enjoy Lobster
One key exception is pescatarians. Since they do include fish and other seafood in their diets, lobster is fair game!
Personally as a pescatarian, I still limit how much lobster I eat due to sustainability concerns. But it’s a delicious occasional treat I can actually enjoy without compromising my values. Thanks to my pescatarian loophole!
Cultural Context Matters
It’s also worth mentioning that lobster holds special cultural significance in some regions, especially coastal New England and Atlantic Canada.
Lobster fishing heritage dates back centuries in these areas. For locals, enjoying fresh lobster is a cherished ritual and matters of vegetarian technicalities rarely interfere with tradition.
When we look at food choices through a wider cultural lens, rigid rules often become more flexible. An interesting point to ponder.
Alternatives for Vegetarians
Lobster does have a unique, rich flavor vegetarians often miss. The good news is more and more realistic plant-based seafood options are coming to market.
Brands like Sophie’s Kitchen and Good Catch make impressive lobster substitutes using soy protein, konjac, and algae oil. I’ve tried them in lobster rolls and bisques and was thoroughly impressed. Almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
Vegetarians definitely have options to satisfy that lobster craving – no crustaceans harmed!
The Verdict? No Clear Answer
Like many controversial food topics, the debate over whether lobster is vegetarian usually ends in a respectful agreement to disagree.
After diving deep on this issue for my blog, I don’t think there’s a definitive right or wrong answer. But I do think the arguments against lobster being vegetarian are more convincing.
From an ethical standpoint, I believe abstaining from lobster is ideal for vegetarians who aim to avoid harming sentient creatures.
But I don’t think anyone should be vilified if they consider lobster vegetarian based on their principles and convictions. Food choices are deeply personal at the end of the day.
At least now you’re fully informed on both perspectives of the great lobster debate! Let us know what you think in the comments. Is lobster on or off your veggie list?
Vegan lobster is primarily made of yams or heart of palm.
According to many different online recipes and companies, the two main ingredients in vegan lobster tends to be yams and heart of palm. If you’re not familiar with heart of palm, it’s a white vegetable that is harvested from the inner core of palm trees, according to The Food Network.
The Edgy Veg had a recipe for vegan lobster rolls and said that heart of palm had a texture like lobster and didn’t smell or taste very strong. Because it has a nice texture and can soak up flavor, these traits make it a great choice for plant-based seafood. Article continues below advertisement.
In New York City, the May Wah Vegetarian Market, now known as Lily’s Vegan Pantry, makes a plant-based lobster using yam flour — another widely used ingredient in vegan seafood recipes. The business also works with NoPigNeva, an online store that sells hard-to-find meatless products.
If buying a vegan lobster sounds too easy, you can try your hand at making one. Because of the internet, you can find a huge number of recipes that you can try at home. Article continues below advertisement.
This recipe from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken is pretty popular and has some great reviews. The directions list relatively simple ingredients and state that the recipe should only take around 10 minutes to make. Sounds easy enough!
Vegan Lobster Rolls | Does This VEGETABLE Taste Exactly Like LOBSTER?!
Can vegans eat lobster?
For vegans, all sea creatures, including lobster, are off-limits. And understandably so– scientists have shown that lobsters can feel pain. By going vegan we can appreciate the taste of lobster through creative interpretations that are cruelty-free. So there’s no need to feel guilty when you eat a vegan lobster roll.
Is lobster high in low-density lipoprotein (LDL)?
Lobster is low in saturated fatty acids and rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are good for the heart and help lower cholesterol.
Are lobster imitations vegan?
As such, the ingredients that have risen to the top of the lists for vegan lobster imitations usually include yam, yam flour, seitan, hearts of palm, and paprika. Yams are a highly popular ingredient In the vegan community.
What is vegan lobster made of?
This vegan lobster is made of hearts of palm, which is a vegetable harvested from the cabbage palm tree. It imitates many vegan seafood recipes (like calamari and crab) and even has a similar texture to lobster. It’s great because it doesn’t have a taste/smell of anything and absorbs the marinade flavour nicely.