What Is A Pescatarian Diet? How It Works, Benefits, Food List

We’ve been covering a lot of food recipes and dietary techniques here at PRO CHEER LIFE. Some are vegetables and others are mainly protein or meat. So, here’s a new diet style that you might like and that’s the pescatarian diet.

Find out what it is, its benefits, what food you can eat, and its possible drawbacks.

What Is a Pescatarian Diet?

Pesce is the Italian word for fish. Yes, a Pescatarian diet is where a person eats fish and seafood as their main source of protein. In a pescatarian diet, any other form of meat isn’t allowed such as pork, beef, chicken, and so on.

But that doesn’t mean this diet is only restricted to the bounties of freshwaters, seas, and oceans. Pescatarians can also eat eggs, dairies, and vegetables just like any vegetarian. In fact, the pescatarian diet is a hybrid of vegetarian and seafood diet.

What Are the Benefits of This Diet

1. Can soothe muscles after a heavy workout

Most fishes are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which is a good anti-inflammatory agent. So if you do a lot of intense and heavy exercises, a pescatarian diet will help in soothing your sore muscles.

2. Helps in tanning your skin and making it clearer

Salmon and Rainbow Trout are good pescatarian foods. Have you noticed their light orange meat? It’s because of the high carotenoid astaxanthin from their krill and shrimp diet. Eating these fishes will make your skin clearer and tan perfect for a pro cheerleader’s skin.

3. Good for losing and maintaining weight

Fish, seafood, and veggies are rich in healthy fats and protein. They hardly contain any carbohydrates. This diet will make it easier to stay in your ideal weight for the squad requirements as every meal is filling and longer to digest.

4. Effective blood sugar control and cholesterol management

The vegetarian and protein-rich nature of the pescatarian diet substitutes your need for eating refined carbs and other processed meats. You’re far from being at risk of diabetes and high blood pressure this way.

What Do Pescatarians Eat?

1. Fishes

Salmon, tuna, trout, and even canned fish is considered pescatarian-friendly.

2. Other Seafood

That includes mollusks, shellfishes, sea urchins, prawns, shrimps, crabs, and lobsters.

3. Eggs

Just because it’s not from the sea doesn’t mean it can’t be a pescatarian food. As long as it’s not meat from the land then it’s okay.

4. Dairy

Yogurt, cheese, butter, you name it!

5. Vegetables

Remember, the pescatarian diet is part vegetarian so any vegetable will do.

6. Fruits

Apples, oranges, and any other fruit is considered vegetarian. That makes fruit pescatarian-friendly as well.

7. Whole grains, grubs, starches, and oatmeals

It’s okay to pair your fish with brown bread or eat it with rice. Just keep the serving of these carb-based foods at a minimum.

8. Nuts

Pistachios, almonds, walnuts, pecans, and cashews are okay to include in this diet.

9. Seeds

If your fish-meal for the day requires a sprinkle of chia or sesame then go for it!

10. Tofu

Sometimes it can be monotonous to always eat fish or vegetables. Why not replace an ingredient in the recipe with tofu? It’s still as healthy and rich in protein.

11. Legumes

Add more flavor and fun to your dishes by including beans, peas, and lentils as part of the ingredient.

Are There Possible Disadvantages?

There aren’t many disadvantages to having this kind of diet. The only thing that you should look out for is choosing fishes of the larger species such as shark, king mackerel, swordfish, tilefish, and tuna. Eat these only 2-3 times a week. Avoid them as well if you’re pregnant or nursing as these fishes may contain mercury and other toxins.

When following a pescatarian diet, always make sure to cook the fish meat well to avoid salmonella poisoning. Don’t limit your dish to only fish and other seafood. Make every meal different by mixing in vegetables, fruits, tofu, dairy, and beans.

This isn’t the only food class that pro cheerleaders can choose. Check these ones as well!

Need a Great Workout Routine for Your Pro Cheer Audition Prep?

Pro cheerleaders stay fit, flexible, and strong so they can give out their best performance in the arena. However, achieving that wow-worthy, toned physique doesn’t happen overnight. You need to arm yourself with the right daily workouts.

Thinking of becoming a pro cheerleader?

We are offering you our fun, FREE (for a LIMITED time) POM FIT™ INTRO CLASS that teaches you beginner-friendly cardio moves.

To take your cheerleading fitness to the next level, we also have POM FIT™: GAMEDAY1™ - a series of challenging full-body cardio classes that include a body stretch class, kick stretch class, abdominal workout class, and more.

Join a POM FIT™ class below:

POM FIT™ INTRO CLASS (Free for a LIMITED time)

POM FIT™: GAMEDAY1™ (USD 27.00)