Do Vegans Eat Shrimp? Is Shrimp Vegan?

do vegans eat shrimp, is shrimp vegan

Do vegans eat shrimp?

Vegans do not eat animal meat or animal-derived products and since shrimp is seafood it becomes non-vegetarian and non-vegan. Similarly crab, lobster or any other animal living underwater is not vegetarian and hence not vegan. But like always, there are vegan alternatives for eating shrimp dishes without involving real shrimp. It is really surprising how humans can create such things and give it the taste of a natural product without actually using it. Shrimp actually contains very high amounts of cholesterol and sodium which is not really healthy. The vegan alternative on the other side is a better option and healthier when it comes to this. Shrimps are very nutritious and contain healthy fats, are fairly low in calories but also contain lots of vitamins and minerals.

There are a few reasons you can consider not eating seafood

Bycatch:

When industrial fisheries use large machines to sift through the ocean floors to catch fish, they trap and kill other sea animals like whales, dolphins, turtles, and many more in their nets.

Overfishing:

This is an important issue to discuss which is destroying the wildlife in the oceans. Fishing around the world is increasing thoroughly every year which means there is overfishing in the waters thereby leading to a sharp decline in the number of fish in the sea.

Sentient beings:

Fish and other crustaceans are sentient beings which means they can feel physically and emotionally just like any other species out there. For vegans,, this part specifically matters as they believe in not hurting nature and animals.
Fortunately, there are brands that are stepping up to create plant-based foods as alternatives to popular seafood items. We've listed down a few brands that manufacture such plant-based seafood alternatives, especially for vegans.

Beleaf Plant-based Shrimp

Beleaf offers many plant-based products for people who switch to veganism or simply want to try something different. The main ingredient in this vegan shrimp is konjac powder which is derived from a starchy root. The other ingredients it contains are vegetable gum, vegetable root starch, paprika, brown sugar, sea salt, plant-based vegan seasoning. You can simply pan fry, stir fry, feel fry or grill this product and it will give you the taste of real shrimp.

Good Catch

This Pennsylvania based company is inspired by their love for the sea and the creatures it contains and we can see this in the numerous plant-based recipes they produce. The company creates a variety of plant-based tuna that comes in many flavours including the original. The brand also makes its own plant-based crab cakes, fish fillets, and fish burgers which are as good as real.

Loma Linda Foods

The company founded in 1905 is an active brand of vegetarian and vegan food products produced by Atlantic Natural Foods Company of Nashville, Carolina. The company has a wide selection of plant-based meat products and now has also moved towards seafood alternatives. Their new seafood alternative, plant-based tuna is offered in three flavours (lemon pepper, sesame ginger, and Thai sweet chilli) and it is said to taste very close to the real thing.

New Wave Foods

The company founded in 2015 has been working in the bay area to perfect their algae and plant-based shrimp. It is made from plant proteins and the same algae that shrimp consume to give them the colour and flavour of real shrimp, you can expect the crunch and springiness same as that of real shrimp from this lab-made product.

Quorn Fishless Sticks

The long-standing brand in the meat alternative protein field now offers alternatives to fish as well. Their fishless sticks are prepared from rice and wheat flour, they are soy-free and non-GMO. They provide enough fibre and protein but are low in fats and calories.
These were some of the best substitutes for shrimp and other seafood that you can try if you are vegan. These products taste and feel almost as good as the real seafood but are made from plants so that is a plus point.


Read More