Veggies/Vegans: If you're NOT eating meat, they why are there so many products that....?
.......EMULATE the look, feel, smell, taste, texture etc., of real meat products and dairy products, say for example, soy milk for Dairy Milk, soy cheese for REAL cheese, why would you want to eat something that remotely resembles meat or other animal products, I don't get it, what I'm getting at, why in the world would you want to eat, say, meatless meatballs with spaghetti if you're a vegan/vegatarian??? What's up with that?? Like Textured Vegetable Protein, which resembles ground beef, and Boca and MorningStar Farms put out "faux meat" products, but why would you want to eat something that resembles (remotely even) what you're trying your best to stay away from?? AND I DON'T NEED ANY NASTY ANSWERS, I'M JUST ASKING A VERY PROVOCATIVE QUESTION, SO IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE NASTY, DON'T EVEN BOTHER ANSWERING, OK???
BTW, thanks for your candid answers
Christopher
Anonymous2007-06-26T15:39:51Z
Favorite Answer
Come on Christopher, you should know this. People aren't born vegans/vegetarians, usually. people grow up eating meat, have great times, bad times and food is sometimes involved with these times. people at some point in their life make a conscious choice to decide to make a lifestyle change. You really ought to know better Christopher. Food evokes memories, and if you can come close with a boca burger, and it reminds you of that time you were at the bar, just got out of the kitchen after getting your sh it pushed in all night doing 600 covers, and you and the crew went out, had a few too many brews, and just had a great time. if that boca burger can invoke that memory, which food often does, then why would you not want that meatless burger? Inside you know the answer to your question, Christopher. I know you do.
This question is asked a lot in this section. The short answer is, just because someone no longer eats meat, doesn't mean they don't still like something that tastes similar to meat. I've gotten away from the Boca burgers more and more now that I'm accustomed to veganism, but I relied on them a lot as a beginner. And the whole point is that they DON'T contain any animal product (well, as long as they're vegan), so there really is nothing to feel guilty about. I was at a graduation party this weekend and it was nice to have something that resembled what everyone else was eating.
I also just tried SO Delicious dairy free "ice cream" a few minutes ago for the first time and BOY WAS IT GOOD! I used to be ADDICTED to ice cream, and while this had a totally different texture, it was nice to be able to scoop it out, and even put it on a cone if I wanted to. I wasn't a vegan for 21 years of my life, so people get into routines! :)
I figured this would be a pretty obvious answer =\
You know, vegans and vegetarians aren't the only ones who eat these foods. A lot of these products were first produced as no cholesterol, low fat alternatives for older people who were suffering from a life long dedication to eating the real stuff.
Most faux foods are used by transitioning vegetarians and vegans. It's not about resembling...it's about the convenience and association we grew up with. It isn't the idea that bothers me, its the cruelty, the additional unhealthy side effects and the unnecessary nature of it all that comes with eating meat.
Diet is the biggest determining factor in our survival. period. It's too bad so few people actually take it serious. That's because we take it for granted though and our survival is basically guaranteed in our societies now. If we lived in the wild what we ate and how we ate it would be priority..instead of entertainment and possession is now.
It's just an easy way to add protein and supplement a diet for those who choose to do it. Some never learn other ways to prepare food in a more traditional vegan sense. Some use these till they do..either way I don't see a problem with it. It's better then the alternative.
First, if you ask most non-vegetarians if soy meats taste or are the same texture as "real meat", they'll definetly say no. Over the years I've accidentally tasted meat/ dairy a few times, and believe me there's a huge difference. As a long-time vegan I eat soy meats and drink soy milk for many reasons;
-to add varity to my diet (just tofu, nuts, and beans can get boring after a while)
-to make sure I get enough protein , many of these items have more protein then beans, nuts, etc (Tofurky Italian Sausage has 29g of protein!)
Many of these items are fortified with vitamins so I don't have to remember to take as many suppliments
-many recipes I grew up eatting call for meat/ dairy, and these items replace them
-most of these foods are very quick and easy to make, as a mom of two young children convienience is really important
-my husbad is a meat eater, but will eat vegan food if it resembles "regular" food
I could have sworn that this question was asked last week? Ohh well.
Meat substitutes are not what every vegetarian or vegan uses. It may be used by some for transitioning from a diet that contained animal based protein and the person, for whatever reason, decides to go vegetarian. Perhaps some vegetarians or vegans may serve it at a dinner party for guest who normally eat meat but will not serve it for personal reasons. It is kind of the same reason why I keep a well stocked refridgerator full of fruits and veggies, it is not only for myself but for my guests also as some of them do not eat animal proteins.
By the way, I am not vegetarian but I have enjoyed soy based products because they are healthy and they have come a long way from cardboard tasting putty. In my stew, chili, even scrambled eggs, I have used tofu in addition to the normal meat(s). Why? because it adds protein without the harmful fats. Just one of many reasons for myself at least.