This article looks into one of the most frequently asked questions regarding foods that are vegetarian friendly: Can vegetarians eat tuna?
The short answer: No, vegetarians cannot eat tuna because it is a type of fish in which the flesh is eaten. Vegetarians, by definition, abstain from eating the flesh from all animals including fish and seafood.
However, one can be a pescatarian which by definition is a person who does not eat meat but does eat fish and seafood. Other than eating seafood, pescatarians typically follow a vegetarian diet. Therefore, if you wish to be a vegetarian, but still incorporate tuna into your diet, becoming a pescatarian is one option. Alternatively, there are multiple vegetarian and vegan tuna alternatives that will be discussed below.
Plant Based Tuna Brands
As the number of vegetarian and vegans continues to rise, so to does the number of plant-based products available to them. Plant-based tuna options are no exception. The following brands have been verified to have plant based tuna alternatives, suitable for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Good Catch
According to Good Catch’s website, their seafood alternatives are made using a combination of legumes (peas, chickpeas, lentils, soy, fava beans and navy beans) for texture and protein and algae oil for seafood flavor and omega-3 DHA.
At the time of this writing, Good Catch has three fish-free tuna flavors. These flavors include: Naked in Water, Mediterranean, and Oil & Herbs. All of Good Catch’s fish-free products are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and non-GMO. The fish-free tuna products can be purchased from Thrive Market here.
Loma Linda – Tuno
According to the Tuno website, Loma Linda’s Tuno is made using non-GMO textured soy protien for texture and seaweed for the fish flavor. All of the Tuno products are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and non-GMO.
Loma Linda makes three flavors of canned Tuno and three flavors of Tuno packets. The canned flavors include: Tuno in Spring Water, Lemon Pepper, and Tuno with Sriracha. The Tuno packets come in the following flavors: Thai Sweet Chili, Lemon Pepper, and Sesame Ginger. All of the Loma Linda seafood alternatives can be purchased on Amazon here.
Sophie’s Kitchen
Sophie’s Kitchen makes not only a vegetarian and vegan tuna alternative (Toona), but also has plant-based crab cakes, fish fillets, shrimp and salmon! According to the Sophie’s Kitchen website, their Toona products use pea protien and pea starch for texture and seaweed powder for a ocean flavor. Their Toona products are vegan, vegetarian and non-GMO.
Sophie’s Kitchen makes two flavors of their canned Vegan Toona: Black Pepper and Sea Salt. You can find Sophie’s Kitchen Toona products on Amazon and Thrive Market.
Homemade "Tuna" Salad Recipes
There are many plant based tuna salad recipes online. So if you are looking to get your tuna salad fix, make sure to give one of these recipes a try!
- Vegan Tuna – Simple Vegan Blog
- “Chickpea of the Sea” Tuna Salad Sandwich – The Simple Veganista
- Vegan Tuna Salad – Connoisseurus Veg
Summary
While vegetarians and vegans cannot eat tuna because it is an animal, there are great store bought plant-based alternatives available these days. You can even make a great tuna salad alternative using chickpeas!
