Pescatarian Recipes + Meal Prep on a Budget

Pescatarian recipes and meal prep on a diet can be done!  In this article you'll learn the best pescatarian recipes for the pescatarian diet plan.

This article will also help you to follow the pescatarian diet on a budget and provide you with a printable shopping list that you can use at stores like ALDI, Walmart or your favorite grocery store.

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Jump to:

• What is the Pescatarian Diet?
• Pescatarian Food List and Pescatarian Recipes

What is the Pescatarian Diet?

Over the past few years I've become more aware of what type of food I am eating.  Nutrition has been number one when it comes to the type of food I'm eating.

With the popularity of so many diets, it's hard to know what works for you!  Of course, discussing your health and fitness goals with your doctor, registered dietician and personal trainer are a must!

The pescatarian diet - explained

In a nutshell, the pescatarian diet is a vegetarian diet expanded to include seafood.  Dairy and eggs are optional, similar to the vegetarian diet.

Luckily I've found that incorporating sustainably sourced seafood into a plant based diet is a pretty nutritious option for me. Not to mention, the recipes are tasty and super easy to make.

Maybe this tactic will work for you as well!  Check out a few guides here on Momma Fit Lyndsey that help you to navigate different diets while keeping your food budget in check!

• Plant Based on a Budget
• Keto on a Budget
• Healthy Eating + Budgeting Tips
• Whole30 on a Budget

And if you're looking for some recipe ideas...

A Few of Momma Fit Lyndsey's Favorite Pescatarian Recipes

These recipes are a few of my favorite pescatarian recipes on my blog!  They are super easy to make and great to prep for easy meals.

• Easy Salmon (Air Fryer and Oven Baked Recipes)
• Air Fryer Chili Lime Shrimp

Keep scrolling for a few of my favorite pescatarian bowls I've shared on Instagram!

Great Plant Based Meal Bases to Add Seafood for a Delicious Pescatarian Meal

These plant based meals are the perfect canvas for creating a delicious pescatarian meal.  Add fish, shrimp or scallops to any of these for an easy and tasty dish.

• Mediterranean Quinoa
• Easy Stir Fry

Great Side Dishes for Pescatarian Dinner Recipes

Need something to add with your favorite pescatarian dinner recipe?  These are my ultimate favorite side dishes that pair perfectly with seafood.

• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Rounds
• Easy Air Fryer Broccoli
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Summer Veggie Pasta Salad

Here is my #1 favorite pescatarian recipe - Argentine Red Shrimp in the Air Fryer! 

A Few Frequently Asked Questions About the Pescatarian Diet

Do Pescatarians eat eggs?

Unlike the plant based or vegan diet, pescatarians generally have more personal choice when deciding to eat eggs or dairy.  Similar to vegetarians, many pescatarians choose to eat eggs and dairy while others do not.

Do Pescatarians eat chicken?

Pescatarians eat a variety of seafood including (but not limited to) the following examples:

• shellfish such as shrimp, lobster, crab and crayfish
• mollusks such as clams, oysters, scallops and mussels
• fish such as salmon, cod, anchovies, bass, trout, flounder, haddock, halibut, mahi mahi and tuna

As a rule of thumb, pescatarians do not eat meat other than seafood.  Chicken, beef, pork and similar meat is not eaten by pescatarians

What can I eat as a Pescatarian?

Pescatarians have a well-rounded diet of seafood, vegetables, fruits, grains and healthy fats.  See below for a printable pescatarian food list.

Is the Pescatarian diet healthy?

The most important thing to analyze when considering the pescatarian diet is where your seafood is sourced from.  Considering the level of mercury in your chosen seafood is also of superb importance.

Generally, the pescatarian diet is full of protein and healthy fat.

Pescatarian Benefits

You may be wondering what are the benefits of the pescatarian diet.  Here are just a few potential pescatarian benefits as listed by Medical News Today:

1. heart health
2. lowered cancer risk
3. lowered diabetes and inflammation risk

Pescatarian Food Prep

Instagram is my jam when it comes to what I'm eating on a daily basis!  I'm often creating a ton of different lunch bowls that are perfect for the pescatarian diet!

My favorite tools for pescatarian food prep

To make most of my favorite pescatarian recipes I only need a few tools!

• Air Fryer
• Glass Meal Prep Containers

My Favorite Pescatarian Bowls

Here are a few of my favorite pescatarian bowls to prep for make-ahead lunches or dinners!

• Salmon +Zoodle Bowls
• Scallops "Leftover" Bowl
• Lentil + Tuna Bowl
• Shrimp, Veggie + Cauliflower Gnocchi Bowl
• Trader Joe's Shrimp Burger Bowl
• Haddock, Edamame + Acorn Squash Bowl
• Salmon Caesar Salad

Pescatarian Diet on a Budget - My Top 3 Tips!

Meal Planning

Making a list of four weeks of meals will help you to begin to meal plan.  If you need some meal inspiration, scroll up to check out my favorite pescatarian bowls on Instagram!

Chances are you will know of a few meals that are your favorites.  Keep these in regular rotation and don't be afraid to make double for leftovers.

I like to have a general plan of what dinners I'm going to make for the month.  I try to list out 8-10 of my family's favorite dinners and then update my meal plan weekly depending on what is on sale or what we are in the mood for.

Shopping Store Sales

Stores will often run weekly sales that they list in their circular.  Once you have your meal plan set for the month, check out the weekly store circulars.

You can plan on buying more when an item is on sale and freezing what you aren't using until it's time.  I like to have staples that I keep in my freezer for easy pescatarian meals.

Salmon, shrimp and scallops are three items I like to stock up on when I see them on sale.  They are easy to defrost and I can throw them in the air fryer and pair them with some veggies.

Shopping in Season

In season veggies make a great compliment to pescatarian meals.  One of the easiest ways to reduce your grocery bill when you are doing the pescatarian diet on a budget is to shop in season.

For seafood, that may mean stocking up on fish and seafood during the Lenten season.  You may also find that items such as crab or lobster is less expensive around holidays.

For veggies, you will also want to shop in season for the vegetables that will complement your seafood.  Check out this article I wrote about the Plant Based Diet on a Budget for more tips on shopping in season.

Pescatarian Food List and Pescatarian Recipes

Here is a simple list of what to include on your pescatarian food list when you are grocery shopping:

• fish (such as salmon, cod, anchovies, bass, trout, flounder, haddock, halibut, mahi mahi and tuna)
• shellfish and mollusks (such as shrimp, lobster, crab, crayfish, clams, oysters, scallops and mussels)
• beans (such as black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, Great Northern Beans, and black eyed peas)
• other legumes (such as peanuts, peas, lentils and soybeans)
• tofu and tempeh
• vegetables (any)
• nuts and seeds (any)
• healthy fats (such as avocado, nut butters, plant based oils)
• whole grains (any)
• Optional dairy items such as yogurt, cheese and milk