Snails

[seal!]

Please help settle a debate, for a vegetarian that eats fish and shell fish, would it be acceptable to eat snails, do they count as meat (based on shell fish not being meat)?

Cheers

[Naomicorlett]

If you eat fish then you are not vegetarian. There is no discussion. If you eat flesh of any sort then you are a flesh eater. Sometimes people who eat fish are called piscarians but they are not vegetarians.

[seal!]

Has anyone got a helpful answer for me?

[rd14962]

A snail is a gastropoid as is a whelk, which is classed as sea food, so I would say they can eat them. But why would anyone want to? I,ve cooked them on many occasions and have tasted the ghastly, slimey things, but once was enough! Not saying they are a sea food or a fish, but they most certainly don't have either feathers, fur or hair!

[CheekyChops]

Sorry but I agree with Naomicorlett, a vegetarian doesn't eat any living creature and therefore shouldn't be eating shellfish or snails. From Wikipedia:

Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes meat (including game and slaughter by-products), fish (including shellfish and other sea animals) and poultry. There are several variants of the diet, some of which also exclude eggs and/or some products produced from animal labour such as dairy products and honey.

I don't understand why you felt her answer wasn't helpful and no, I'm not a veggie!

[kira000]

I'm kind of with Naomi on this one. It is not meant to be having a go at you in any way.

The definition of a vegetarian is one tha doesnt eat any meat or flesh. Seafood/fish does therefore fall under this category.

However i do know many people who choose not to eat meat, but are fine to eat fish and seafood, and also call themselves vegetarian. Its not strictly accurate, but it doesnt really matter much to me!

On the basis that you are happy to eat fish and seafood, i would say snails are fine, if you want to eat them that is!!

[seal!]

The reason I didn't find the answer helpful CheekyChops, was because it wasn't answering my question, I didn't ask "can somebody who eats just fish and no other meat be called a vegetarian", if I had been asking that question, then Naomicorlett's response would have been a fairly adequate answer, however I believe the question I asked was:
"for a vegetarian that eats fish and shell fish, would it be acceptable to eat snails, do they count as meat (based on shell fish not being meat)?"

[Mumof2]

I think it is acceptable to eat snails as you are not a vegetarian so enjoy
I do not eat flesh of any kind so therefore I can call myself a vegetarian

[no-knowledge]

i love snails.