Foods

So, I haven't eaten red meat or pork for about 10 years now, mostly for health reasons, and for a while in high school I went completely vegetarian. However, my mom was making two meals every night, not to mention my lunches and what-not. Since then, I've kind of flip-flopped on the idea, calling myself a "pseudo-vegetarian" when people ask about my dietary choices.

Now that I'm living on my own, and I really do have complete control over my diet, I'm considering pescatarianism.

What are your views on this? My biggest worry, honestly, is convenience. Sometimes it's just so easy to pick up a Costco chicken and have it for dinner all week.

Any and all feedback is appreciated.

(Sorry the post is so rushed... I'm on my way out to work!)

i stopped eating chicken in 2003 and have no problem fitting in veggie food despite going to grad school full time and working 20-30 hours/week.  many times for dinner i'll have half a frozen kashi go lean pizza and a huge fresh salad.  i've also mastered the 5-minute tofu stir fry!

My view is... don't get hung up on a label.  Pescetarian, flexitarian, vegetarian.... what does it really matter?   Instead, eat what you feel comfortable with, don't eat what you don't feel comfortable with and don't feel you have to either conform to someone else's definition or explain yourself at any step of the way.   

If your desire to not eat chicken is weak enough that you can be swayed by a deli chicken, you might want to reevaluate your decision. You could almost as easily cook up a big batch of something else to eat throughout the week.

That being said, eat what feels right for you. If you don't want to eat chicken most of the time but every so often you get the urge, it won't be the end of the world. You're doing this for you, so trying to play by some kind of rules you don't really agree with is just silly.

Since your main concern seems to be health I'm pretty sure that the occasional chicken won't hurt you. While I understand the various reasons behind specialized diets I prefer not to pigeonhole myself with any particular label. If I feel like eating veggies, I eat veggies. Your health will not change depending on what label you wear.

Thank you for so many quick replies!

It's honestly not the label I'm interested in. I suppose the reason I'm hung up on it, rather than just eating chicken if and when I want it, is because I hate half-a**ing things. I feel like if I do this, I should do it all the way.

I guess what it comes down to, is that I'm kind of lazy. :-)

Thank you again for the advice!

Life is far too short to say 'never again' and draw lines in the sand.  LOL!  I don't think that makes you half-arsed or lazy in the slightest.  What you could do, if you're concerned about being healthier and/or animal welfare issues, is decide to seek out better and 'cleaner' foods.  I don't know the provenance of a Costco chicken but I can't imagine it's all that ethical.  :-)  On the other hand, by supporting a local producer that specialises in organic, free-range chicken you could actually enjoy eating meat and still feel that you were doing something positive for yourself, for animals and maybe even for the environment.