The Reason Andy Serkis Switched From Vegetarianism To Pescetarianism

Plant-based diets are booming right now. It's easier than ever to get a vegan, vegetarian, or even just a less meaty meal almost anywhere you go. Fast food chains are jumping on the bandwagon, too, with things like Beyond Meat fried chicken nuggets at KFC or a vegan burger at A&W popping up on menus across the country. This rise in accessibility makes now a more attractive time than ever to those curious about reducing their meat consumption and giving plant-based foods a try.

But diets like vegetarianism, veganism, pescetarianism (which that excludes all sources of meat except fish), and even the flexitarian diet — one marked by a mostly vegetarian lifestyle with some occasional meat options sprinkled in, according to Healthline — have been around for years and are present in many cultures around the world. Many celebrities have been known to be longtime plant-based eaters, like Milo Ventimiglia, Venus Williams, and Ariana Grande (via Us Magazine). Up until recently, actor Andy Serkis was also on that list.

In an interview published in WebMD, the actor best known for his portrayal of Gollum in the "Lord of the Rings" movies recounted his switch from vegetarianism to pescetarianism. "I'd been a vegetarian since I was 18, then I started eating fish when I was about 30. We were shooting 'Lord of the Rings,' and I needed more protein. But I haven't eaten meat since I was 18," Serkis said. This may be a common roadblock for those trying to switch to a vegetarian or less meat-centric diet.

Of course, tons of plant-based foods are packed with protein at levels comparable to those in meat and dairy products, like lentils, quinoa, chia seeds, and many types of nuts, according to EatingWell. However, some of these ingredients may not be accessible to everyone. Whether it be because they are hard to source, difficult to cook, or contain allergens like nuts or soy, they don't necessarily work as an alternate protein source for everyone. Plus, according to SeafoodSource, some pescatarians favor fish for its health benefits like vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids that may be difficult to get from a solely plant-based diet.