From Meat Lover to Pescatarian: My Dietary Habit Journey
I have been following a diet that excludes meat since 2014. My daily food consists of vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and seafood.
People who adopt such eating habits are referred to as pescatarians. While diet styles like vegetarian and vegan have become increasingly recognized in Japan, pescatarian remains relatively unfamiliar. In this article, I will introduce the concept of pescatarianism based on my own experiences.
What is a Pescatarian Diet?
Here's a breakdown of major dietary habits. Pescatarians, for the most part, eat anything except meat. However, I personally don't consume dairy products much because I'm not particularly fond of their taste. (I do like pizza and anything with grilled cheese though!)
Why I Quit Eating Meat
People who've met me since I stopped eating meat in 2014 are often surprised to hear this, but I used to be a huge meat lover. On the flip side, I had always been intrigued by the idea of adopting a sustainable lifestyle during my university days, and this curiosity eventually led me to explore veganism. After graduating from university in 2013, while working as a new grad at an apparel shop, I had the opportunity to dine at a vegan restaurant for the first time, courtesy of a regular customer who happened to be a vegan. This experience sparked my own desire to experiment with a vegetarian diet, prompting me to start avoiding meat at home (to tell the truth, I seldom cooked for myself back then). Nevertheless, I continued to relish meat dishes when dining out.
In 2014, driven by my aspiration to work overseas using English, I left my job at the apparel company and relocated to Hong Kong.
Some of you might have seen pictures or experienced this in person, but in Hong Kong's traditional restaurants, commonly known as "cha chaan teng," it's not uncommon to spot an array of roasted meats on display. On the streets, you'll often find meat shops selling large pieces of meat, sometimes even whole animal heads. I've also witnessed workers pushing carts laden with animal carcasses, presumably en route to slaughterhouses, crossing the streets multiple times.
Meat roasted on the same day is hung at room temperature. This not only highlights the meat's quality and deliciousness to customers but also allows excess fat to drip away. Plus, there's no need for reheating, which can toughen the meat, so it can be served tender just as it is.
Unfortunately, when I lived with my parents, I rarely tried cooking. It was only after I began working following my university graduation that I slowly started cooking for myself. However, I still relied mostly on dining out or getting takeout for my meals. This means that I only came face-to-face with meat when I dined at restaurants or saw neatly packaged meat slices in supermarkets in Japan. So, being exposed to such sights in Hong Kong was genuinely shocking.
What I had once enjoyed as meat dishes and the meticulously packed meat found at Japanese supermarkets were, in reality, integral parts of animals. This realization of common sense was something I had never deeply thought about in Japan, where meat is typically presented in a way that disconnects it from its source. However, in Hong Kong, you constantly come across scenes that forcefully remind you that what you're consuming was once a living being. For me, this experience didn't cultivate an enhanced appreciation for the practice of taking life to sustain ourselves; instead, it instilled a profound aversion to it, leading me naturally to avoid eating meat.
The reason behind my decision to stop eating meat and my continued abstinence isn't so much rooted in a philosophy of environmental protection or animal welfare as it is in the unpleasant feeling of disassembling and consuming animals.
My Pescatarian Lifestyle in Practice
However, I don't strictly adhere to a pescatarian diet. Essentially, if I can't see obvious chunks of meat in a dish, I don't get overly concerned about the use of meat-based broths, like chicken stock, in the seasoning. Of course, I never prepare dishes with these ingredients at home, but when dining out, it's often challenging to scrutinize these details closely. Being too strict about it would make eating out less enjoyable and convenient, especially when I'm with friends or colleagues.
Respect for Dietary Choices and Diversity
In recent years, amid the growing concerns of climate change and environmental issues, there's been a rising trend in promoting plant-based diets like vegetarianism and veganism, which are believed to have a lower environmental footprint compared to meat consumption. I am a pescatarian, and I would be delighted if, through me, more people could become aware of the pescatarian dietary style and consider it as one of their lifestyle choices. But I do not criticize meat consumption or recommend others to adopt a pescatarian diet. After all, eating is an essential practice for obtaining the necessary nutrients for human activity. Instead of imposing our beliefs on others, I believe it's crucial for individuals to choose healthy and enjoyable food that suits their unique dietary needs. With this in mind, I think it's essential to consider and implement daily dietary choices that help reduce our environmental impact.
Many people have dietary restrictions for various reasons, including religious beliefs, allergies, concerns for animal welfare, and health considerations. I hope that more restaurants can accommodate this diverse range of dietary backgrounds, ensuring that people with various preferences and requirements can enjoy dining together. If you have any recommended restaurants, please let me know in the comments!