Vegetarian seafood made from soy protein and seaweed is available for those with dietary restrictions or allergies. Some products mimic the taste and appearance of real seafood, and can be found in specialty markets or health food stores. The rise of vegetarianism and concerns about mercury poisoning are driving demand.
Vegetarian seafood includes a range of foods designed to mimic different types of fish and other sea creatures using vegetarian ingredients. Vegetarian seafood is often composed of ingredients similar to those used in the preparation of other imitation meats. These imitation foods are useful for creating mouth-watering vegetarian snacks or even an entire vegetarian dinner for people with special dietary needs. Vegetarians may seek out these products for use in modified vegetarian seafood recipes that originally included several types of seafood.
A wide range of vegetarian seafood is currently on the market. Vegetarian crabmeat is often made from a mix of soy protein and several types of seaweed or other vegetables. Veggie shrimp can be made of similar materials, but formed into the shape of a shrimp, and given attractive coloring to make them look like shrimp or prawns.
Vegetarian shoppers can also buy vegetarian seafood products made to look like real seafood. Although some companies sell imitation tuna, vegetarian fish are generally harder to find because demand is relatively low. Other companies that cater to vegetarians offer “veggie fish chunks” that will mimic the taste of clams. These are useful for soups and other seafood dishes.
Many vegetarian fish products can be purchased frozen; some others are canned. Some of these can be found in local supermarkets. Others may be easier to find at specialty Asian food markets or health food stores.
The rise of vegetarian cooking shows that many around the world are looking to limit their meat intake as new science shows ever-increasing support for the link between a vegetarian diet, overall health, and longevity. Fish and seafood are generally not the first meats eliminated from a diet. Usually, those who want to “eat lighter” in terms of meat, cut out red meats and can still eat fish or seafood. These individuals are sometimes called “pescetari”.
Other food science shows that real fish contains some unique healthy ingredients to boost brain power and help balance cholesterol. Despite this, some with seafood allergies stay away from eating real seafood and may prefer vegetarian seafood options if they crave the taste. Another reason some people eat vegetarian fish is if they have been exposed to mercury poisoning. Because many seafood is exposed to a high mercury content, much of the residual mercury can end up in the human body, where it is dangerous. Doctors often recommend limiting certain types of seafood to avoid mercury poisoning.
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