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Help me sort through a few 'food myths'?

51 replies

MarmaladeWhiskers · 13/01/2026 12:54

I would love to swap over to pescatarian, whilst also eating dairy. Whilst I care about animal welfare and the environment, my main reason is that I don't really like or enjoy other meat, apart from a bit of roast chicken on occasion. My favourite dishes include wild caught fish such as salmon, cod and sardines, with a bit of tinned mackerel/tuna.

But I do hear a lot of stuff online that over the years has put me off! Most scientific articles and health related advice suggests this is a great way to eat for many reasons. But anecdotal information on sites such as reddit, mumsnet etc often say the opposite. It's a bit of a minefield.

So I would like to ask, how true are these reports?
I have seen threads where people love to add that a veggie/health focused relative/friend they knew died younger or got cancer at 50, whereas the red meat eaters were longer lived.
I see this a LOT, and have no idea if it is common, coincidence, or just people talking shit on the internet.
Also, people reporting that they need red meat to function. That eating only fish and dairy left them weak and unwell.

Whilst diet is very personal and all of these things are likely valid to some degree, it has put me off going over to just fish. I am past meno so not as worried about lots of iron, but don't want to miss out on anything essential.

Anyone with experience?

OP posts:
MarmaladeWhiskers · 16/01/2026 11:03

I'm pescatarian.
I don't know where you hear these stories about vegetarians dying younger. From the meat industry?

Well you don't have to go far!
Google longevity and 'Mumsnet', watch the threads appear on the google search. Especially those along the lines of 'do you know anyone who lived unhealthy lives and lived to be over 100?'

It's a hoot, almost 70% of them knew a veggie who died at 50 of breast cancer.

Of course, I presume they are full of shit Grin
I suppose it makes them feel better about secret smoking and boozing.

OP posts:
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