Is fish meat? Is fish poultry?

Is fish meat?

It is a hot debate whether fish is meat or not. Are you surprised? The whole debate is based upon the different definitions of 'meat' by different people. That's why you may find vegetarians around different countries of the world abstaining from all other meat but fish. Let's have a look at these definitions of meat first.

Is fish meat? Is fish poultry?

First Definition:

According to the most dictionaries and scientific publications meat is defined as the flesh of animals. Very simple, fish are under kingdom Animalia, their flesh is certainly 'meat'. But wait and read the other definition of meat accepted by a large group of people round the globe.

Other Definitions:

A big number of people believe that fish actually is not meat. Their beliefs are based on different religious definitions which describe meat as the 'flesh that comes from warm blooded animals only'. Some sects of Christianity abstain from meat during their religious rituals but they are allowed to eat fish meat. Fish is cold blooded animal, so it is not meat.

After going through both the definitions, as science is based on evidence, we can easily conclude that fish flesh is meat. Taxonomy of fish and chemical composition of fish protein is much related to the proteins of other animals like cattle, sheep, goat, pig and poultry.

To conclude, we can simply say that according to some religious definitions, fish is not meat but according to science, fish is meat.

Is fish poultry?

Another hot topic is about fish being poultry or not? This question can be answered in two ways;

First we consider the scientific classification to answer the query.

Fish belong to Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata the same Phylum to which other meat animals like chicken, cattle, pig and goats are placed. Poultry are placed in class 'Aves' which includes the other birds too. On the other hand, fish are classified under superclass 'Gnathostomata' which includes different subclasses.

Fish meat is rich source of omega 3 fatty acids

Meat of animals is classified into different categories depending upon the characteristics. Fish meat, poultry meat and red meat are under different categories.

Fish meat is easily digestible and is rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Poultry meat is also easy to digest and a good source of zinc. Red meat includes meat from beef, pig and other farm animals. Red meat is is rich in nutrients but not good for health as over consumption may cause cancers.

From the above discussion is clear that fish meat is not placed in category of poultry. Both are classified in different categories owing to difference in characteristics. Fish is fish and poultry is poultry !!