Fruitarianism as an Alternative to a Seafood Diet
Some people turn towards a seafood diet when they have enough of the meat, whether of red or white, variety. However, even seafoods have both benefits and risks attached to them. The benefits are well known. You would hear about them in food ads, naturally. However, your nutritionists will also back up the information from those ads. Fish, for example, offer smaller amounts of fat especially when compared to red meat and other cholesterol-laden foods. So, you could eat more of fish with a lower possibility of gaining weight. In short, fish can be more filling. When you are satisfied, you have not yet consumed a lot of calories. Some fish, such as salmon and sardines, also contain Omega-3 fatty acids that are good for the brain. Seafoods, in general, are great sources of protein. They usually contain small amounts of cholesterol and help prevent heart attacks and stroke.
Cons of a seafood diet
Seafoods, however, are not always low in fat. Take for example crab meat. It can contain very high cholesterol and fat content. There is also the matter of safety. You have to know exactly how to clean your seafood staple to make sure that it is free of all unappetizing smells and of any dangerous component. Some fish contain high levels of mercury that cannot be washed off. Pregnant women especially are warned against such fish. Seafoods are also prone to contamination brought about by pollutants in the water. So, there is some risk to just picking up any fish, especially if you actually commit yourself to a seafood diet instead of just eating seafoods from time to time.
Pros of fruitarianism
Fruitarianism is an alternative to a seafood diet. Though criticized for focusing too much on fruits, which could completely remove protein from the diet and could provide a lot of sugars, there are a lot of benefits provided by fruitarianism. According to a study, people who have decided to turn to fruitarianism experienced fewer health concerns. There was also a decrease in serious conditions, such as hypertension. When eating fruits, you will not use oils unless you wish to cook or bake the fruits with other ingredients. Taken purely, fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals and low in fat. You get the optimum amount of energy as plants, and therefore fruits, are at the bottom of the food pyramid. Plants do not have to consume organisms to survive. Instead, plants get their energy directly from the sun.
A seafood diet, how healthy it may sound, has its own weaknesses. Are you willing to take on the benefits offered by the protein and the Omega-3 fatty acids if there is a risk of mercury? Not all seafoods are dangerous though, but some seafoods are very fatty. Of course, all kinds of food have their benefits and risks. You may think of turning to fruitarianism but even this pure, healthy diet style is subject to health risks. However, compared to a seafood-based diet, fruitarianism offers more health benefits in the long run.
Related Questions:
1. What are the pros and cons of a pure seafood diet?
2. What are the pros and cons of being purely fruitarian?
3. How do you ensure your seafood meal is perfectly safe?