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Tips on first time eating fish

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Hey all

I'm a lifelong veggie who has never tried meat or fish, but due to having low Vitamin B12 levels I have been advised to start eating at least fish.

I have no idea where to start! :o

I'm a bit funny with the texture of food stuff (I don't like quorn texture, or lumps in soup etc!).

What would be the easiest, less traumatic way to introduce fish into my diet? My flatmate and my mum have both offered to teach me how to cook it so I don't poison myself!

Thanks in advance

x
* Rainbow baby boy born 9th August 2016 *

* Slimming World follower (I breastfeed so get 6 hex's!) *
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Comments

  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Fish is so easy to cook and only takes minutes.

    Do you want to disguise it say in fish pies, paella etc.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • Browntoa
    Browntoa Posts: 49,602 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    plaice is probably easiest to try first , its one of the softest fish
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    Long term forum member
  • Quiet_Life
    Quiet_Life Posts: 2,498 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Sardines, herrings, salmon, trout among others are good for vit b12.

    Try Delia's Sardine Pate as an intro
    Ingredients

    1 x 120g tin sardines in oil ,1 teaspoon lemon juice ,2oz softened unsalted butter ,fresh chopped parsley to taste ,salt and ground white pepper to taste ,,,
    Method

    1 Empty the whole contents of the can (fish and oil)into a food proccessor.
    2 Add the remaining ingreedients.
    3 Whizz in the food processor until completely amalgamated and perpectly smooth.
    4 Taste and make adjustments as necessary.
    5 Spoon into serving dishes (ramekins are ideal).
    6 Cover and refrigerate.

    Serve on toast and or salad.

    Try it with other oily fish too.
    Refrigerate for at least 2 - 4 hours before serving. Keeps well covered in the refrigerated for 24 hours.
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  • flutterbyuk25
    flutterbyuk25 Posts: 7,009 Forumite
    thanks for the replies.

    Disguising it may be the way to go as psychologically I'm still not fully on board with the idea!

    x
    * Rainbow baby boy born 9th August 2016 *

    * Slimming World follower (I breastfeed so get 6 hex's!) *
  • Raksha
    Raksha Posts: 4,570 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 23 August 2011 at 5:35PM
    Sardines etc might be a bit strong for somebody who's never experienced fish. I'd start with tuna, mashed up with mayo, add some chopped spring onion - makes a lovely sandwich filling.
    Plaice was the only fish my Dad would eat. Smoked fish may be a little less 'fishy', try mackrell - yummy!

    Shelfish are the best source of B12 - oysters are one of my favs, but like sardines might be a bit of a jump to start with.
    Please forgive me if my comments seem abrupt or my questions have obvious answers, I have a mental health condition which affects my ability to see things as others might.
  • I was veggie about 15 years and then I began eating fish again. I like plain smoked haddock, but also mackeral in spicy tomato sauce in a tin is a favourite. My body was needing something, because I didn't have to force myself once I began eating.
  • the_cat
    the_cat Posts: 2,176 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Maybe if texture is a problem, you could start by trying the taste without the texture IYSWIM. Something like a tuna spread, where it has been mushed into a paste, so you can concentrate on the taste without texture being a factor
  • lostinrates
    lostinrates Posts: 55,283 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    I'd try fishcakes first, personally.

    Then perhaps a little fish in a pasta sause, a ravioli filling or something. Fish and chips...though its a big piece of fish, its ''gently'' flavoured...maybe try a child's portion at first.

    If you like less bland food generally, what about trying a fish soup/bisque.

    I love oysters, but the texture might be difficult, at first at least. How about trying something like spaghetti al vongole. Once you ''get'' the texture of mussels, moule frite is a delicious meal, and the sauces will help with ''flavour'' resistance. A very social meal out, moules frite, with lovely flavoured beers. :) And they are just about to come into season. Mussels (sans frites but perhaps with some lovely bread) is a pretty recurrant, delicious and inexpensive meal at home for us.
  • Hiya,

    i agree with lostinrates - fishcakes are usually smooth (no lumps) and are mixed with potato so not too strong a flavour.

    It may not be your kind of thing, but DH and I had a lovely spicy fish dish from our local chinese - all sorts of flavours and not too hot, really lovely - you'd still be having fish, but not particularly a fishy flavour.

    I'm not very good with supplements, but if you really don't like it, would something like a fish oil supplement do the job? Hope you find something you like xxxx
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  • greenbee
    greenbee Posts: 17,746 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Has anyone established why you are B12 deficient? It's not that common in vegans, and less so in vegetarians (eggs and dairy have B12 in a them). You may be able to consider some improvements to your diet and supplements rather than adding fish to your diet. Check out places like the vegan society for advice and support.

    I am not a vegan or vegetarian, although I enjoy vegetarian and vegan foods, but from a discussion with a nutritionist earlier today I am well aware that it is possible to be a healthy vegan and an unhealthy meat/fish eater!
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