Many healthy eaters enjoy eating fish and other seafood. Some have argued that scallops are vegan and are similar to sea vegetables. Other people say that scallops are vegan because they are bi-valve and don’t have a central nervous system. So, what’s the truth? Are scallops vegan?
No, scallops are not vegan. Scallops are small sea animals with nerves and sensory organs. Thankfully, there are some tasty vegan seafood options, including “scallops”, available on the market. Some of the best vegan alternatives to scallops include Mind Blown Dusted Scallops, May Wah Vegan Scallops, Hungry Planet Crab Cakes, and Gardein Golden Fishless Filets.
In this article, we will discuss what scallops are, what toxins seafood may contain, as well as vegan alternatives to scallops. Whether you’re trying to avoid potential toxins or you have decided to go vegan, you’ve got delicious vegan seafood options. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Is Seafood Healthy?
Fish is often touted as a healthy alternative to meat. Those following a keto diet often use seafood as one alternative to meat dishes.
Scallops and many other types of seafood are low in calories and fat and are considered by many to be healthy. However, there are many reasons to take another look at eating seafood.
There is evidence that overfishing has devastating effects on our oceans. Further, the commercial fishing industry has had a destructive impact on our waters. The oceans are being polluted from many directions, and the fishing industry has had a part in that problem. The fuel used in commercial fishing is also of concern for global warming.
Toxins
We’ve been aware for some time now that certain fish have a large amount of mercury and other toxins. The pollution in our oceans becomes part of the fish living in those oceans. And when a person consumes those fish, the toxins become part of the person.
Seafood contains a variety of contaminants, much coming from industrial and agricultural pollution. This type of pollution is known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are found in all the oceans of the world and therefore in all the fish in our oceans.
Generally speaking, the larger the fish, the higher the levels of contaminants found in that fish. This is simply a result of how the food chain works. Larger fish eat smaller fish, that have eaten smaller fish, and so on. The levels of toxins from each of those fish end up in the larger fish over time.
For many reasons, more and more people are considering alternatives to seafood. Some of these people are following a vegan diet. Some are concerned about the toxins in seafood. Others are concerned more about our environment. All these concerns are creating the need for more vegan, healthy, and earth-friendly seafood options.
In this article, we will review the top vegan alternatives to scallops and other seafood favorites. Read on to find your next favorite scallop alternative.
What is a scallop?
A scallop is a bivalve mollusk. Scallops are similar to oysters, clams, and mussels in that they have two hinged shells that hold the part of the scallop that is edible.
Are there different types of scallops?
Yes. There are bay scallops and sea scallops. Bay scallops are smaller and are usually more tender than sea scallops which are larger.
Delicious Vegan Seafood Alternatives
Following are reviews and nutritional value of the best vegan seafood alternatives, including the best vegan scallops.
Mind Blown Dusted Scallops
From The Plant-Based Seafood Company, these delish “scallops” are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO certified.
Ingredients:
- Konjac Powder
- Vegetable Gum
- Vegetable Root Starch
- Paprika
- Brown Sugar
- Sea Salt
- Plant-Based Vegan Seasoning
- Tapioca Flour
- Coconut Flour
- Egg Replacer (Potato Starch, Tapioca Flour, Leavening (Calcium Lactate, Calcium Carbonate, Cream of Tartar), Cellulose Gum, Modified Cellulose)
- Crystallized Lemon (Citric Acid, Lemon Oil, Lemon Juice)
- Garlic
- Paprika
- Turmeric
- Other Spices
Nutrition Facts (per 8 scallops, 3 grams):
- 25 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 95 mg Sodium
- 8 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Total Sugars
May Wah Vegan Scallops
These vegan scallops are gluten-free and are a popular alternative you can find in the frozen foods section of many large supermarkets.
Ingredients:
- Soybean Protein
- Soybean Oil
- Modified Potato Starch
- Sea Salt
- Sugar
- Curdlan Gum
- Vegetarian Flavor (Yeast Extract, Maltodextrin, Soybean Protein Hydrolysate, Mushroom Extract, Sunflower Oil, Flavorings, White Pepper)
- B-Carotene
- Oleoresin
- Paprika
Nutrition Facts (per 3 scallops, 100 grams):
- 180 Calories
- 13 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 830 mg Sodium
- 4 g Total Carbohydrates
- 8 g Dietary Fiber
- 6 g Sugars
- 11 g Protein
Hungry Planet Crab Cakes
These vegan crab cakes are made with premium ingredients and taste great.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Soy Protein Concentrate
- Bread Crumbs (Wheat Flour, Sugar, Salt, Yeast, Sunflower Oil)
- Textured Wheat Protein
- Diced Red Pepper
- High Oleic Sunflower Oil
- Natural Flavor
- Spices
- Modified Vegetable Gum
- Dextrose
- Lemon Oil
Nutrition Facts (per 4 oz., 113 grams):
- 180 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 17 g Carbohydrates
- 4 g Dietary Fiber
- 17 g Protein
- 80 mg Calcium
- 380 mg Sodium
- 1 g Total Sugars
Loma Linda Tuno Lemon Pepper
The Loma Linda brand of plant-based foods has been around since 1890. This company recently came out with a plant-based line of “tuno” which can be used as a vegan alternative to tuna. Try it in tuna salad or any recipe in place of canned tuna.
Ingredients:
- Non-GMO Textured Soy Protein
- Water
- Soybean Oil
- Sugar
- Lemon Juice
- Salt
- Black Pepper Ground
- Citric Acid
- Seaweed
- Xanthan Gum
- Natural Lemon Flavor
Nutrition Facts (per 2 oz., 57 grams):
- 55 Calories
- 1 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 119 mg Sodium
- 5 g Total Carbohydrates
- 2 g Dietary Fiber
- 1 g Total Sugars
- 1 g Added Sugars
- 5 g Protein
- 2 % DV Calcium
Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Shrimp
This is a delicious shrimp alternative that is soy-free, gluten-free, and kosher.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Konjac Powder
- Beta Glucan
- Potato Starch
- Paprika
- Organic Agave nectar
- Sea Salt
- Canola Oil
- Rice Flakes (from Brown Rice)
- Turmeric
- White Pepper
- Carrageenan (Seaweed Based Gelatin)
- Alginate (from Seaweed)
- Calcium Hydroxide
Nutrition Facts (per 100 grams):
- 240 Calories
- 11 g Total Fat
- 2 g Saturated Fat
- O g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 270 mg Sodium
- 31 g Total Carbohydrates
- 4 g Dietary Fiber
- 2 g Sugars
- 4 g Protein
- 4 % DV Calcium
Caviart Black Seaweed Caviar
This vegan product is award-winning seaweed caviar. If you like the taste of Caviar, you should give this one a try.
Ingredients:
- Seaweed alginates
- Salt
- Spices
- Citric acid
- Stabilizer (Xanthan Gum)
- Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate as Preservatives
- Added Color (Caramel)
Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp., 14 grams):
- 2 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 0 g Carbohydrates
- 220 mg Sodium
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Total Sugars
Gardein Golden Fishless Filets
Made with garden-grown proteins and full of healthy Omega 3’s, these fish filets are vegan and kosher.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Soy Protein Concentrate
- Expeller Pressed Canola Oil
- Potato Starch
- Modified Vegetable Gum
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Vital Wheat Gluten
- Sea Salt
- Natural Flavors (From Plant Sources)
- Yeast Extract
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Citric Acid
- Algal Oil (Plant Source of Omega 3 DHA and EPA)
- Onion Powder
- Pea Protein
- Carrot Fiber
- Color Added
- Paprika
- Rosemary and Turmeric Extracts
- Breading (Wheat Flour, Modified Corn Starch, Tapioca Starch, Yellow Corn Flour, Onion Powder, Salt, Garlic Powder, Wheat Gluten, Baking Powder, Canola Oil, Soy Flour, Spices, Sugar, Paprika, Citric Acid, Turmeric, Xanthan Gum)
Nutrition Facts (per 96 grams):
- 180 Calories
- 10 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 3 g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 6 g Monounsaturated Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 340 mg Sodium
- 14 g total Carbohydrates
- 3 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Total Sugars
- 9 g Protein
- 4 % DV Calcium
Takeaways
While scallops and other seafood can taste delicious, they are not vegan. Scallops and other non-plant seafood are considered animals and sentient beings. Vegans do not eat animals and sentient beings.
Further, many consumers have big concerns about eating seafood. Seafood concerns include health-related concerns as well as concerns about how the fishing industry is impacting our environment.
Seafood can contain lots of toxins that may have adverse effects on your health. Studies have shown dangerously high levels of mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead in some seafood.
The seafood industry is also contributing to the ongoing pollution problem in our oceans. And, commercial fishing has a relatively large carbon footprint that makes it less than friendly to our environment.
For all these reasons, the vegan seafood industry is big and getting bigger. The more vegan seafood options mean continued improvement in taste and ease of use with these products. Today, there are several delicious vegan scallop options, as well as lots of other vegan seafood choices.
Related Questions
What do scallops look like?
Like a clam or oyster, a scallop has two shells that open and close. However, the scallop shell has a fan-like shape. Amazingly, scallops also have many bright blue eyes along the opening of their shell! Their eyes can see darkness, light, and motion.
Are scallops keto-friendly?
Yes, scallops can be part of a keto diet. However, they are fairly low in fat, so it may be wise to add a little good fat in cooking them and eat other higher fat foods with them.
Are scallops gluten-free?
Scallops are naturally gluten-free. However, scallops are often prepared in ways that add gluten. When eating scallops in a restaurant it is important to know how they are prepared. Many breading or coating ingredients contain gluten. Most breadcrumbs are neither vegan nor gluten-free. However, when cooking scallops at home it is easy to ensure they stay gluten-free.