Eating fish for the first time in years

[Arduenna]

I've been vegetarian for years, but I've been feeling increasingly 'blah' physically, struggling to make progress in the gym, etc. I was talking it over with a friend who is a doctor, and she strongly encouraged me to start eating fish again.

The thing is, after so many years of only eating plant-based, I'm really nervous! I know it's silly. I'm having a reaction like a picky child, where I'm really quite intimidated by the prospect of eating something 'new'. My stomach feels all twisty at the idea!

What type of fish would you recommend to start with? I think once I get over the psychological hurdle of eating something that is technically flesh, I can prioritise the most nutritious fish - right now I just want to figure out what will go down the easiest

I recommend this:

https://www.thetinnedfishmarket.com/

I’m pescatarian and have no interest in substandard supermarket ‘fresh’ fish. Or frozen. There used to be an absolutely brilliant outfit who would deliver you fish caught overnight - but they folded. There are a few good online fishmongers but they don’t make sense for me unless I’m cooking for more than just me. The Tinned Fish Market has gradually become my main source (unless I’m actually by the sea).

I’ve been pescatarian for a long time but was vegetarian for more than 15 years before that. I started with tinned tuna in a salad sandwich, then fish fingers (yes I know but I had eaten both as a child so they felt familiar enough to try iyswim).

For me white fish was easier to start with as more oily fish upset my stomach early on, though I have no problem with it now.

If you’re looking for tasty fish recipes I really like a lot of the dishes from www.themediterraneandish.com/recipes/#search/q=Fish

Maybe breaded fish cakes? I know it’s not the most nutritious form of fish, but it saves you handling any fish and the fish is well mixed with mashed potato and other flavours.

If I was trying fish for the first time I would chose one that has been cooked to a frazzle. Like a fried whole fish with its skin on that's really well seasoned. So you get the crispy bits which are lovely.

Alternatively if I was worried about bones I would just buy a nice fish pie and go from there!

I would also suggest fish fingers. Nothing with skin or a face until you can stomach anonymous fish!

Get the chunky cod ones, so it’s also not mystery fish.

Yes, I'd agree that white fish is your friend here to start with. Fish fingers can be a bit "fishy" so perhaps those "posh" versions where they're like mini fish fillets in breadcrumbs you can stick in the air fryer?

The other option would be tuna - a tuna may sandwich perhaps would allow you to start small? Or a jacket potato, insides scooped out and mixed with tuna and cream cheese and lots of black pepper then put back in and topped with cheese and reheated - not to "fishy" and a good easy intro.

If you want to try oily fish, what about in pate form on crackers etc to start - a smoked salmon or mackerel pate is as much about the saltiness and the horseradish and the cracker as it is about the fish?