Why the bias against "fake meat"? (mcdonald, bbq, tomatoes)

[JustJulia]

Originally Posted by user_id

The fact that many vegans and vegetarians find themselves eating "fake meat" is largely due to our meat based culinary culture, not some affinity for the taste of meat products. That is, "fake meat" is attractive to American vegetarians and vegans because it provides a simple way to shift their diet away from animal products while eating the sorts of foods they are use to.

I don't know. Why are there fake chicken nuggets unless people want to continue to chicken nuggets but can't/won't eat chicken? If it's just for the breading, then an edamame nugget or falafel would do just as well. I can't think of any recipe where the cook would say, "If I can't figure out what to use instead of chicken nuggets, this dish is RUINED!"

My husband made seitan from scratch this weekend, and I used it in two dishes instead of meat. It looks vaguely steak-y but does not taste or feel like it. We're talking about making sausages from it, and grinding it up to put in lasagna or spaghetti sauce, so I understand wanting to be able to cook a variety of foods. But "chick'n" and hot dogs and fake bacon and some of that stuff does not appeal to me at all.

[missik999]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

I don't know. Why are there fake chicken nuggets unless people want to continue to chicken nuggets but can't/won't eat chicken? If it's just for the breading, then an edamame nugget or falafel would do just as well. I can't think of any recipe where the cook would say, "If I can't figure out what to use instead of chicken nuggets, this dish is RUINED!"

My husband made seitan from scratch this weekend, and I used it in two dishes instead of meat. It looks vaguely steak-y but does not taste or feel like it. We're talking about making sausages from it, and grinding it up to put in lasagna or spaghetti sauce, so I understand wanting to be able to cook a variety of foods. But "chick'n" and hot dogs and fake bacon and some of that stuff does not appeal to me at all.

Some of the "fake" nuggets are quite tasty. I snack on them sometimes at work at my desk, when I don't have the time and equipment required to prepare something similar from scratch.

I'm not pretending that I am eating "real" chicken nuggets or giving in to peer pressure because everyone else is eating chicken nuggets. And I don't eat them often. But they are tasty, healthier than real chicken nuggets, convenient, and best of all no animals were harmed to make them.

[AnonChick]

Originally Posted by Dark of the Moon

Of course, I can only speak for myself -- but, IMHO, that's one of the most ridiculous statements I've read on this forum. "A whole lot of vegans like meat"?

If they, as you do, liked meat then they would, as you do, just eat meat and would -- obviously -- no longer be veg*ns.

Thank you.

If they, as I do, liked meat, but chose not to consume meat, they would buy meatless foods that are marketed to taste like meat. Which - they do. And they still continue to be vegans and vegetarians. That is why "tofurkey" and "chick'n" and vegan "deli meats" exist: to cater to people who -have a liking for meat- but for whatever reason (whether health, dietary, or ethical reasons), do not actually consume meat. Not all vegetarians and vegans like meatless foods that are designed specifically to attempt to have a flavor and texture resembling meat. But the ones that do - do. I don't think this is ridiculous at all.

As Just Julia said, it doesn't appeal to her (and she is a vegetarian). It doesn't appeal to me. But obviously it -does- appeal to enough people that there's a whole market for it, and these "fake ham" and "fake chicken" and "tastes just like real turkey dinner!" companies profit nicely from it.

[Green Irish Eyes]

Originally Posted by AnonChick

If they, as I do, liked meat, but chose not to consume meat, they would buy meatless foods that are marketed to taste like meat. Which - they do. And they still continue to be vegans and vegetarians. That is why "tofurkey" and "chick'n" and vegan "deli meats" exist: to cater to people who -have a liking for meat-

No, they exist to provide a subsitute for people who -- in the majority -- don't like meat. Vegans, especially, don't like meat. They don't, in fact, like animal products of ANY kind.

So your claim that "a whole lot of vegans" like meat is simply false. Even if they did, as you yourself have pointed out, many meat analogues contain egg products and, therefore, wouldn't be eaten by vegans anyway. So vegans aren't a market for those products.

I'm not sure why you -- a non-vegetarian -- insist on believing that you can, with any authority, speak for those of us who ARE vegetarian. Seriously -- you can't, and it's offensive (and, yes, ridiculous) when you try to do so.


ETA: This actually sounds like the beginning of a bad joke:

"What do you call a veg*n who likes meat?"

"An omnivore."



.

[user_id]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

I don't know. Why are there fake chicken nuggets unless people want to continue to chicken nuggets but can't/won't eat chicken?

I think this is just the point, people eat them because they grew up with and enjoy the taste of the chicken nugget which derives most of its flavor from its breading, seasoning in the meat and being fried. The actual flavor of the chicken is almost entirely absent!

One thing that I found as a slowly stopped eating meat over the years is that most of the flavor from mixed foods (meat mixed with other things) comes from non-meat components and the seasoning. For example, I routinely make Mexican dishes with a homemade "fake meat" derived from lentils and people don't notice much of a difference as it matches the flavor/texture profile pretty well. Conceptually that isn't much different than the veggie nuggets, my main issue with the veggie nuggets is that they are processed and high in fat.

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by user_id

I think this is just the point, people eat them because they grew up with and enjoy the taste of the chicken nugget which derives most of its flavor from its breading, seasoning in the meat and being fried. The actual flavor of the chicken is almost entirely absent!

One thing that I found as a slowly stopped eating meat over the years is that most of the flavor from mixed foods (meat mixed with other things) comes from non-meat components and the seasoning. For example, I routinely make Mexican dishes with a homemade "fake meat" derived from lentils and people don't notice much of a difference as it matches the flavor/texture profile pretty well. Conceptually that isn't much different than the veggie nuggets, my main issue with the veggie nuggets is that they are processed and high in fat.

That's not correct. I for one did not grow up with fast food. Never tried it until college. Hated it.

If you don't like them, you should avoid them. My family and I don't eat them often but my thin lean teens enjoyed them as children.

No big deal.

[StephM]

I don't like overly processed foods at all. Even before I was a vegetarian I did my best to avoid them. I think the key to a good diet is to eat foods as close to nature as possible.

[Natural510]

They're excellent sources of protein, and they're generally easier to prepare than tofu, tempeh, etc which require marinating & cooking, etc.
I do think there is a cultural aspect; for instance, I love Mexican food, but other than beans & rice there's not much alternative. If I use the veggie meats, I have soy chorizo, ground round, etc for tacos and other Mexican dishes, and even if they're processed, they're still much healthier than the hormones, antibiotics, and fat content found in animal meat.

[glamatomic]

I made a Nutloaf (Vegan Meatloaf) from scratch over the weekend for DH & I... does that count as 'fake meat', since I technically made it myself from whole foods?

I am a supporter of 'fake meats' though- I don't think they should be a significant component of any diet (everything in moderation), but I do believe they have a place in a lot of homes, especially in those either making a transition toward a Vegetarian diet, or in my case where we have a Veg*n (me) and omnivore (DH).

[user_id]

Originally Posted by Natural510

If I use the veggie meats, I have soy chorizo, ground round, etc for tacos and other Mexican dishes, and even if they're processed, they're still much healthier than the hormones, antibiotics, and fat content found in animal meat.

I make Mexican dishes all the time and I never use processed "veggie meats", there are many whole food options you can utilize instead. For example, you can exchange any ground meat with seasoned (similarly to the meat you'd use) lentils with tomato paste. This meat replacement can be made in batches and keeps in the freezer for months. Tacos can be made with seasoned mushrooms, zucchini, or even potatoes. Tons of options.