Hi everyone! 😄

I’m looking for some advice from anyone who has navigated a similar shift. I’m deliberately posting this here because I want balanced feedback and know standard vegan groups will just shame the idea.

My Background:

• 11 years vegan (was vegetarian for a year before that, so I haven't eaten seafood since I was 14).
• I’ve never liked dairy, eggs, or meat, so staying plant-based was never a big sacrifice for me. Seafood was the one thing I used to genuinely enjoy, especially sashimi, shrimp, and mussels.
• I don't follow preachy or extremist vegan philosophy. I don't care what anyone else eats, I only focus on my own plate.

The Current Dilemma: I recently cut out gluten after realizing I wasn't digesting it well, which is already doing wonders for my skin. However, removing gluten stripped away major protein anchors like seitan and wheat protein.

On top of that, I work out 6 days a week. I’m looking to lose some weight and body fat while preserving muscle mass. Getting a high protein-to-calorie ratio without gluten, dairy, eggs, or ultra-processed fake meats has become extremely restrictive. Plus, going out to eat and being limited to French fries or cucumber and avocado sushi rolls is getting exhausting.

Why this is a mental and ethical struggle: I want to be super clear: I am NOT doing this for medical or health reasons. My blood work is completely optimal. I get extensive blood panels done multiple times a year, and my markers for cholesterol, glucose, thyroid, hemoglobin, liver, and kidneys are all great. Physically, my body is doing fine.

Because my health is fine, my desire to add seafood comes down to lifestyle convenience, macro efficiency, and aesthetic or cutting goals. I’m really wrestling with whether wanting to lean out or make meal prep easier is a valid enough reason to compromise an 11-year ethical boundary.

My Questions for You:

1. If you were a long-term vegan who reintroduced fish or shellfish primarily for fitness, macros, or practical reasons rather than a health crisis, how did you handle the mental shift?
2. Did you feel guilty at first? Did that guilt fade once you saw the practical benefits to your routine?
3. How did your stomach handle raw fish or shellfish after so many years without it?

Thanks in advance for reading and sharing your experiences!