If you’ve been contemplating switching to a vegetarian diet but are not ready to go completely meat-free, consider the pollotarian diet. The emphasis is on whole vegetables and grains, and meats are limited. People on a pollotarian diet usually avoid red meats and pork, while some leave out eggs and dairy.

The Pollotarian Diet is a semi-vegetarian diet that allows poultry as a protein source. Some people add fish and seafood to their diet and are known as Pesce-pollotarians. People see health benefits such as reduced heart risk by eliminating red meat and focusing on whole foods and vegetables.

People who switch from a standard Western diet to a pollotarian one often see many health benefits. Diets high in red meats and saturated fats can harm us, and switching out red meats for chicken and turkey can make a huge difference. I’ve looked at some benefits you can expect while following the pollotarian diet.

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Why Should You Switch to the Pollotarian Diet Today?

Not much research has been done on switching to a pollotarian diet. Still, significant studies have been done regarding diets that do away with red meat. These benefits can show us some of the many reasons why it’s time for you to try the pollotarian diet.

Decrease Your Heart Disease Risk

Improve your heart health by cutting out red meats. Diets that include a lot of red meat are high on the list for increasing heart disease. Replacing red meats such as beef and lamb with poultry can help decrease your risk of heart disease.

A study on coronary heart disease in women over a 26-year period showed that higher intakes of poultry and fish, rather than red meat, significantly lowered the risk. Women who ate one serving of poultry a day instead of red meat had a 19% reduction in the chances of suffering from heart disease.

Get Better Sources of Protein

Choose chicken or turkey over red meat as a protein source. If you’re seriously training, you’ll want to incorporate protein sources high in essential amino acids, high in protein, and low in fat and carbs.

If you’re an active person, and especially if you’re training for strength, you want the best source of protein for your body. You can get this by swapping your red meat protein sources with skinless chicken breasts. A 3-ounce portion will pack a hefty 23 grams of protein.

Cut Down Your Chances of Cancer

Choose chicken over beef to cut down your chances of certain cancers. Diets high in processed meats and red meats are often linked to certain cancers, such as bowel cancer, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.

Several government guidelines suggest lowering the number of processed meats like bacon and sausages and red meats like beef, lamb, and pork and replacing them with poultry. By following a pollotarian diet, you can successfully avoid red meats that heighten cancer risks.

Avoid Getting Type-2 Diabetes

Lower your risk of Type-2 diabetes by swapping chicken and turkey for your red meat. Diets full of red meat and other unhealthy processed meats can increase your chances of getting type-2 diabetes. The saturated fat, cholesterol, and haem-iron in red meat are possible reasons for the risk.

Chicken and other poultry, such as turkey and duck, are good ways to get protein in your diet without risking diabetes. However, the chemical processes and salts used to cure meats are the same as curing poultry. Choose fresh chicken rather than processed chicken products.

An Easy Transition to Going Vegetarian

Choose a pollotarian diet as part of a gentle transition towards a fully-vegetarian lifestyle. While some people can switch to a vegetarian diet without issues or cravings, many of us find this difficult.

A pollotarian diet can be part of a slow lifestyle change if you wish to become vegetarian. By cutting out red meat and processed meat products, we can gradually adjust our diet, making it more likely we’ll stick to our resolution.

Help Curb Depression

Red meat may be partly responsible for your depression, and cutting red meat and choosing chicken can make you feel better. Research by scientists has shown a significant association between depression and the intake of red meat.

Probably due to red meat’s high content of fatty acids and saturated fats, it has been linked to increased depression. Vitamin B12, zinc, and folates are also linked to helping prevent depression, so replace your fatty red meats with healthier proteins such as chicken.

Lose Weight

Swap your red meats for lean proteins like chicken to help you lose weight. Most red meat sources tend to be higher in fat than poultry or fish. Red meat also takes longer to pass through your digestive system.

Choose a leaner protein with all the nutritional benefits, such as chicken breast, to help you healthily lose weight. Choosing poultry can also increase your energy levels, making you more active.

Save the Planet

Avoid red meat to help save the planet’s resources. Cattle farming is notorious for the negative impact it has on the environment. It uses vast resources such as land, water, and grain crops.

Choosing poultry, vegetables, and grain for your diet will decrease your environmental footprint and help reduce deforestation and greenhouse gases like methane from cattle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does A Pollo Pescetarian Eat?

Pollo pescetarians eat poultry like chicken, duck, and turkey but also include fish and seafood in their diet. They do not eat red meat, but some may eat dairy products and eggs.

What Happens If You Only Eat Chicken

If you eat mainly vegetables and chicken, you can risk getting nutrient deficiencies if you are not careful. If you do not eat dairy, find plant-based calcium sources like kale, sesame seeds, and white beans.

If there is no fish in your diet, you may need to supplement your omega-3 fatty acids by eating walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds.

What Can Flexitarians Eat?

Flexitarians eat a mainly vegetarian-based diet focusing on healthy, natural food sources. Flexitarians will eat fruits, whole grains, legumes, vegetables, nuts, dairy, and eggs. They may occasionally have some animal products, emphasizing low-fat, organic cuts of meat.

Is Pescetarian Healthier Than Vegan?

Being a pescetarian may be a healthier choice for people who struggle to get their essential protein, minerals, and omega fatty acids from a vegetarian diet. While it is possible to live healthily on a vegetarian diet. There is generally less risk of nutritional deficiency.

Seafood contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which are suitable for a healthy heart, which can be lacking in extreme vegetarian diets.

Conclusion

Switching to a pollotarian diet can tremendously impact your long-term health. By cutting out red meat, you can avoid unhealthy fatty meats responsible for increasing your risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Choosing poultry as your meat source provides essential nutrients while helping you lose weight thanks to the lower fat content. By cutting out red meat like beef, you help the environment, as cattle farming is notoriously bad for the environment.

More FAQs

Is pollotarian diet healthy?

The pollotarian diet is indeed healthy. It offers numerous advantages, serving as an excellent option for individuals who enjoy meat but wish to reduce their consumption of red meat without fully adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. This dietary choice promotes a balanced cholesterol level, reduces the likelihood of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and minimizes the risk of colon cancer.

Is it healthy to only eat chicken as meat?

It is not healthy to only eat chicken as meat because consuming chicken every day as your sole protein source may result in nutrient gaps. For instance, skinless chicken breast, which contains very little fat, can lead to a deficiency of essential fats in your diet.

Is poultry healthier than red meat?

Poultry is generally considered healthier than red meat due to its lower saturated fat content. Red meats, such as beef, pork, and lamb, tend to have higher levels of saturated fat compared to skinless chicken, fish, and plant proteins. Consuming saturated fats can elevate blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. To make healthier choices, opt for lean meat, skinless poultry, and unprocessed forms when including poultry, pork, beef, or other meats in your diet.

What is the difference between pollotarian and flexitarian?

The difference between pollotarian and flexitarian is as follows: pollotarianism involves the consumption of poultry, while flexitarianism primarily follows a vegetarian diet but may include meat in certain social situations.

What are the benefits of only eating chicken?

The benefits of consuming only chicken include its high content of vitamin B6 and phosphorous, along with its abundant protein, niacin, and selenium. Nevertheless, it is important to note that chicken does not provide essential nutrients like vitamin C and folate ( 4 ). Consequently, relying solely on chicken as a food source may lead to the rapid development of various nutrient deficiencies.

What do you call someone who doesn t eat meat but eats fish?

The term for someone who doesn’t eat meat but eats fish is a pescatarian. A pescatarian is an individual who excludes red meat and poultry from their diet but includes fish and other seafood. This term was coined in the early 1990s, combining the Italian word for fish, “pesce,” with the word “vegetarian.” It is sometimes spelled as “pescetarian,” which holds the same meaning.

Are non meat eaters healthier?

Non meat eaters tend to be healthier due to their consumption of a diet that is high in fiber, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. Vegetarians, who abstain from meat, typically consume fewer calories and less fat, resulting in a lower body weight. Additionally, they have a reduced risk of heart disease compared to individuals who include meat in their diet.

What is the difference between pollotarian and Pollo Pescetarian?

The difference between a pollotarian and a pollo pescetarian is as follows: A pollotarian diet typically excludes red meat and pork, but permits the consumption of chicken. Pollotarians may also include dairy and eggs in their diet. On the other hand, pollo pescetarians not only avoid red meat and pork, but also include fish and seafood in their diet.

Can a pollotarian eat cheese?

A pollotarian can eat cheese as well.

Do pollotarians eat eggs?

Pollotarians do eat eggs, as their diet includes chicken and other bird meat in addition to a vegetarian diet. They also have the option to incorporate fish or eggs into their meals.

What do you call a person who doesn t eat meat but eats cheese?

The person who doesn’t eat meat but eats cheese is called a lacto-vegetarian. They abstain from consuming meat or eggs but include dairy products in their diet, which encompass various products derived from cows’ milk like ice cream, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter, and more.

What is it called when you don’t eat meat but eat dairy?

The term for not consuming meat but still consuming dairy products is known as a lacto-vegetarian diet. This type of plant-based diet allows for the inclusion of dairy products, such as cow’s milk, cheese, butter, sour cream, yogurt, and ice cream. However, it strictly excludes all types of meat, including beef, pork, chicken, and fish.

Is being a pollo pescetarian healthy?

Being a pollo pescetarian can be healthy as it may facilitate safe weight loss and lower the chances of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Moreover, this diet can supply vital vitamins and minerals that may be deficient in a vegetarian diet.

Can Pescatarians eat chicken eggs?

Pescatarians can eat chicken eggs, as they consume animal products like eggs and dairy, but they refrain from consuming red meat and poultry.

Do Pescatarians eat chicken?

Pescatarians do not eat chicken. They share many similarities with vegetarians, as they consume fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, eggs, and dairy, while avoiding meat and poultry. However, pescatarians differ from vegetarians in that they include fish and other seafood in their diet.

What is the difference between a vegan and a pollotarian?

The difference between a vegan and a pollotarian is that while vegans completely eliminate all animal products from their diet, including eggs, milk, honey, fur, wool, leather, and down, pollotarians are vegetarians who also consume poultry or fowl. This information is based on Squidoo.com’s explanation. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that pescatarians are vegetarians who include fish in their diet.

What is the opposite of a pollotarian?

The opposite of a pollotarian is someone who avoids consuming seafood and fish, unlike the Pescatarian or Pescetarian who include seafood and fish in their diet.

What is a chicken only diet called?

The diet that consists solely of chicken is commonly referred to as a pollotarian diet. It is a relatively specialized eating plan, and it is likely that most individuals following this diet spend a significant amount of time explaining their dietary choices rather than simply stating “I only eat chicken.”

What is the difference between a flexitarian and a pollotarian?

The difference between a flexitarian and a pollotarian is that flexitarians may include fish and seafood in their diet, while pollotarians avoid red meat, certain white meats like pork, fish, and seafood, but still consume poultry and fowl.

Will I lose weight if I only eat chicken?

If you only eat chicken, you may lose weight as it is a low calorie and protein-rich food. However, it is important to note that this diet can have severe side effects. Additionally, incorporating a proper exercise program is crucial for a successful weight loss journey.

What is it called when you don’t eat fish but eat meat?

The term for not consuming fish but still consuming meat is known as being a carnitarian. This dietary choice, which excludes fish and seafood, can have positive impacts on one’s health and also serves as a viable option for individuals looking to contribute to environmental conservation efforts.

Why do we only eat chicken?

We only eat chicken because it provides vitamins and minerals that are essential for brain function. Both dark and white meat chicken contain vitamin B12 and choline, which work together to support brain development in children, ensure proper functioning of the nervous system, and enhance cognitive performance in older adults.