What Is Plant-Based Seafood Made Of?

Whether we’re talking F’sh Filets or Plant-Based Crabcakes, there’s a vegan seafood option to fit your tastes. Yes, even vegan sushi! But have you ever wondered what is in that Coconut Shrimp? The short answer is plants. The longer answer is it’s complicated. So, let’s get right into the basics of what plant-based seafood is made of. And let’s talk about why it’s so great in the first place.

What Are the Benefits of Plant-Based Seafood?

Real tuna, shrimp, salmon, and other seafood—the animals—swim in an ever-more-toxic environment. Not only are they exposed to mercury, but they are increasingly consuming microplastics. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic. These result from larger plastic products being destroyed, breaking down, or degrading through general wear. Some microplastics are purposefully produced. Think cosmetics and cleaning products. Much of our plastic trash ends up in our oceans and other waterways. The fish consume these microbeads, thinking they are food. Then humans consume the fish. See where we’re going with this?

Plant-based seafood is free of mercury as well as microplastics. It also eliminates the massive destruction of sea life due to overfishing. For more information on this, check out the Seaspiracy documentary. Additionally, new studies have found that half of Americans would consider going vegan for the environment. Transitioning to plant-based seafood would be a great way to do that. So, if you are currently vegan or considering switching to plant-based seafood to reduce your carbon footprint, read on to learn more.

Courtesy of Mind Blown

Is Plant-Based Seafood Highly Processed?

Is plant-based seafood highly processed? Again, the short answer is it can be. The longer answer is it’s complicated. Vegan scallops, sashimi, and others are processed foods. But it’s possible to find your catch of the day with clean whole food ingredients. Or with mostly clean whole food ingredients. We’re talking calamari with yam powder, chia seeds, pea protein, and lime. Or shrimp with konjac powder, potato, and cassava. So, reel in the options that are as clean as possible when that’s what you’re looking for. But when you just want to quash the seafood craving, then there are a variety of brands to choose from.

Essentially, you will find ingredients like algae, proteins such as soy or peas, oils, and binders (think starches, aquafaba, and others). What’s not in plant-based seafood? You won’t get all that mercury and those microplastics!

What Are the Best Vegan Seafood Brands?

So, you’re convinced that you want to switch from consuming animals to choosing plant-based options for either health, environmental, or ethical reasons. You know what ingredients to look for when shopping. But what are the best vegan seafood brands on the market today? Where do you look? Well, first, take a look at our article on 11 Vegan Seafood Brands to Check Out. In it, you will find a range of great plant-based seafood options. These include Gardein, Hungry Planet, and Mind Blown, among others. Check out the store-bought options, but also take a look at the foodservice brands. These companies supply to restaurants, so you will know where to go to satisfy your seafood craving. Plus, know that you can enjoy everything from Thai Sweet Chili Tuno to Plant-Based Crab Poppers, without the nasty toxins present in animal-based seafood options.