Would you like to eat something similar to fish, but don't want real fish to be harmed? Fischersatz is now widely available and offers everything you can imagine, from sauces to steaks and burgers.
We'll now show you what's important about these replacement products and how the fish alternatives perform in terms of nutrient content.
What is Fischersatz?
This substitute mimics the taste and texture of real fish . Plant-based substitute products come close to real fish varieties, and the development of new product types never stops.
These fish products only use plant-based ingredients, making them safe for vegans to consume.
Due to the severe overfishing of the world's oceans by the fishing industry, the replacement product may be just right. It does something good for the environment and at the same time covers your personal need for fish-like dishes.
There are a few details to consider when it comes to nutrients, which we will go into in more detail later in this guide.
It is also important that there is no one, all-important replacement product. Numerous different variants have established themselves on the market, which you can also combine wonderfully and experiment with. We will introduce you to some alternatives that have become established over the years.
What exactly is fish flavor?
Anyone who bites into a fish immediately has a typical taste in their mouth that is reminiscent of the sea. This has something to do with the animal itself, but a significant amount of this flavor is produced by other components in the sea - like algae.
They produce a distinct, salty-spicy taste and are therefore ideal as vegan substitute products. You can therefore try mixing seaweed products such as seaweed, wakame or nori into soups or salads.
Algae are often contained in plant-based fish fingers, which give them the typical sea note.
They also provide many nutrients that are also found in real fish, such as minerals , omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins D and B12 .
You only have to be careful if you are sensitive to iodine. Algae are high in iodine, which is why excessive consumption can be unhealthy. If in doubt, you should discuss any planned, high algae consumption with a doctor.
Why do we need fish alternatives?
There are at least four reasons for giving alternative fish dishes a chance :
- Eating fish is very healthy, lots of minerals and little fat paint a clear picture. Therefore, fish is generally very popular, but this leads to overfishing. Around 35% of fish stocks worldwide are considered overfished. This means that there is so much fishing going on that it is not sustainable for the local ecosystem. Per capita fish consumption will also continue to rise - a good reason to explore plant-based alternatives .
- Bycatch is a phenomenon that is commonplace in fishing. Numerous animals that we actually have no use for get caught in nets or otherwise harmed. This is a side effect of overfishing, which is currently difficult to avoid due to the high per capita consumption.
- Natural phenomena that are actually uninvolved, such as coral reefs, are affected by large, heavy nets. This destroys the habitat of animal species that are of no use to us. The same applies here : Without the enormous demand for fish worldwide, these accidents would not occur. Since coral reefs take a very long time to grow, the damage here is even greater.
- Aquaculture breeds different types of fish in a fairly small space. Although this leaves the “ wild ” untouched, it is not ideal for the local fish in several ways. Apart from that, this life is far from the natural habitat of these animals.
So you see : Eating fish is healthy , but it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to meet the earth's huge demand for fish in a sustainable way. It's high time to look at a replacement that achieves similar results and can be obtained in an environmentally friendly way.
4 fish alternatives at a glance
We will now introduce you to some tasty, balanced and vegan fish alternatives . They are guaranteed to contain no animal elements whatsoever, so you can try them out without any problem.
1. Tomato tuna
Tomatoes that are removed, skinned and filleted have a taste reminiscent of tuna with the right marinade. You can prepare small fish steaks or create a fish burger with tuna topping. The small tomato fillets also taste great in salads.
If tomatoes are less to your liking, you can try soy shreds. You simply put these on a piece of bread to enjoy a small, delicious meal in between.
2. Herring salad - but vegan!
Herring is very popular as a side dish in salads. You can create good alternative products with some herbal products. Try it with beetroot, lightly fried eggplant, a little apple and the seaweed version nori.
Gherkins with a little soy yoghurt bring the necessary consistency into play. The salad tastes excellent both on its own and as a sandwich and is very close to herring. You shouldn't miss out on nori because of its seaside taste.
3. Fish fillets from Seitan & Co.
Seitan, oyster mushrooms or jackfruit are well suited to imitating a fish steak , fried fish or similar fish products . Their consistency is always somewhat tough and fibrous, which is reminiscent of many types of fish.
Since tofu, seitan and similar soy products are tasteless, you can serve them well with all fish dishes . This is where the right seasoning is important to give your plant-based fish products the necessary oomph.
4. Vegan seafood
Many dishes contain shrimp, scampi and similar seafood. They taste fantastic and add great flavor to vegetable and pasta stir-fries.
There are also vegan alternatives here, most of which are made from yams. These are quite al dente and tasteless, which means that with the right marinade they produce a typical shrimp taste.
You will find many wholesome and vegan substitute products . If you have enough time, you can experiment a lot. Most people who want to try vegan food first have to make a change.
This is especially true if you have been preparing real types of fish for years or decades beforehand. Finding the right taste can therefore take time. In the end it's worth it just because you'll get to know a lot of new and exciting recipes.
Specialties for children and adults
Let's take a look at two completely opposite fish dishes, but they can be easily recreated on a vegan basis .
Fish fingers are particularly popular with children. You can easily prepare these ready-made products from the fish industry from tofu or seitan. The texture and consistency are retained and a breading ensures the typical appearance.
You can do this yourself by cutting tofu into strips and marinating. If you don't tell children that these aren't " real " chopsticks, they probably won't notice the difference.
Sushi, on the other hand, is popular among adults as a delicious, nutritious fast food. Sushi gets most of its flavor from the algae that surrounds the fish.
Here too, you can easily use tofu or similar substitute products and then prepare a delicious algae coating. With the right marinade it tastes great, is quick to prepare and filling.
Fish substitute and the nutrients
Fish offer your body a lot of positive things. Its consumption is extremely healthy, which is why the German Nutrition Society , for example, recommends eating fish once or twice a week .
The following reasons , among others, speak for eating fish :
- Common fish species such as herring, salmon and tuna contain lots of omega-3 fatty acids. This is especially good for your blood values. It also protects your body against heart attacks, strokes and various cardiovascular diseases.
- The omega-3 fatty acids mentioned also prevent inflammation and have a positive effect on certain chronic diseases such as arthritis. This also promotes brain functions.
- Numerous trace elements that are healthy for our body are most abundant in fish, including iodine, fluorine and potassium.
In other words : If you avoid fish completely , you are depriving your body of numerous actual healthy building materials for your organism. In order to reconcile this with veganism, there are fish substitute products and dietary supplements that compensate for the missing substances.
Fish substitute products protect our seas
Today, fish products no longer necessarily have to consist of the animals that give them their name. Just like with meat or eggs , you can now find numerous interesting substitutes and finished products on the market.
You can easily compensate for the lack of nutrients with other products or dietary supplements. You'll get to know lots of new and great recipes! We therefore encourage you to just try it out and perhaps create your next fish sauce without any fish at all .