Why would people choose to be veggie/vegan, and then eat a bunch of stuff that is made to mimic meat?

Question

Many soy products are made to mimic the texture and flavor of real meat. They seem to sell well in the stores so I assume many Veggies and Vegans are buying them. Does this mean that they really wish they were eating a meaty burger/taco/or whatever the product of choice is? And if so, is that not hypocritical and self deprivation?

Answer 1

its really because hippies are hypocrites.

animals were put on this earth to be eaten, not soy products

Answer 2

Hi there. I am vegan, so I think I can speak for most vegetarians, vegan's, & lacto-ovo vegetarian's (those who choose to consume dairy & eggs). The reason we like to eat veggie burgers, soy tacos, soy burgers, soy "hot dogs" & other 'alternatives to meat' products like Tofurky is because - 1. We need variety so that we don't deprive ourselves of a fun eating experience, 2. We need to make sure we get enough protein and the alternative products all offer us 'veggies' great choices for getting the daily dietary protein requirements, 3. It makes us feel good to know that there are alternate products out there that are made just for us, that help us, our environment, and satisfy the desire to eat similar things that our friends 'the meat eaters' are eating.
My motto is: Different Strokes for Different Folks.

I like being vegan. I feel healthier than I ever have. I actually started out as a lacto-ovo vegetarian about 15 years ago, and I became a vegan recently, about 8 years ago. My diet consists of mostly veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds, beans, soy products, Tofurky & also no gluten. It can be a hard diet to keep up with, especially without variety, so that is why we need a lot more people to get together to invent more products so that we do not become deprived. The only way I see this as being hypocritical would be if someone were to "claim" they were a vegetarian, but then still eat Big Mac's. The way supermarkets are today, there are many alternatives to just about any product, from egg free mayo to wheat & gluten free bagels. This is done so that we wont go hungry, and so we can get all the necessary nutrients for a good diet without having to slaughter a poor helpless innocent animal for it.

Answer 3

I think that the case that is missed is animal rights - some people do not eat meat as a political statement. Does this mean they should be deprived of a cocophany of flavors? Many vegetarians say no. It is a bit ironic to want the flavor of meat without the actual meat, but to many people, this is sparing the life of an animal, which is why they became vegetarian/vegan in the first place.

I think that most vegetarians that stop eating meat because they dislike the flavor, for health issues, etc. do not eat "fake" meat.

Answer 4

I don't see how in anyway this is hypocritical. Some vegans even feel its wrong. I enjoy alot of the products out there. Being vegan is an attempt to reduce the intense suffering of animals. Eating a soy faux burger or soy faux chicken patty is not going to change that view. I am not partaking in the eating of animal flesh, or any other animal product by doing so. Your real chicken patty only looks that way because it was shaped that way, as was my faux soy chicken patty. Most "meat eaters" will tell you they taste nothing like meat. Most veggies will tell you its been so long it doesn't really make a difference. Often times its a comfort value of eating something that reminds you of childhood or living years while eating that specific food.. Either way it does no harm to the vegan to eat said foods, as it doesn't effect their values and beliefs one bit. Now as for self deprivation, that makes no sense what so ever. What are we being deprived of? Flesh of an animal?? I don't think any of us feel deprived by not being able to take part in consuming that.

Answer 5

I personally don't eat meat and when I eat a "veggie" burger that is beef flavored or textured it makes me ill. A lot of my vegetarian friends feel the same way. The ones I eat *may* look like hamburger on the box, if you are just glancing at it. However, they contain chunks of veggies and mushrooms and do not have a meaty flavor to them.
Some people are vegan for political reasons, perhaps they want the taste of meat? But again, I don't know any of these people.
Some people are Not vegetarians, but want to eat a healthy alternative to beef. Those are probably the people who eat the textured, flavored meatless burgers.

Answer 6

My sons chose to eat things like boca burgers and morning star when they first started eating a veggie/vegan diet. I think with them it helped them transition to a non-flesh diet. They don't eat meat because they think it is cruel, the meat substitutes helped them and within about 2 months they no longer even wanted the fake meat. I, on the other hand, had no desire at all to eat anything like that. I have had a veggie burger a few times while eating out, but that was more because I just didn't want another salad from a rest. that looked like it was dead.... you know, the limp lettuce, cardboard tasting tomatoes, etc.
Also, I think that many people do like the taste of meat, but choose not to eat it for many reasons, so these items just provide an alternative.

Answer 7

I personally always loved the taste of meat. I became a vegetarian because I didn't feel that my preference in foods was reason enough to kill another living creature. While many vegetarians (and especially vegans) avoid anything with a meat-like taste or texture, many of us enjoy the taste but do not want to contribute to cruelty.

As others have mentioned, it helps many people transition from being meat-eaters to being vegetarians or vegans. It takes awhile to learn to cook different types of foods. For someone who formerly ate meat, the thought of cooking without it is difficult. Meat substitutes allow people to continue eating the MEALS they love without contributing to animal suffering and death. While I use less meat subs than I used to (I've been veggie 2yrs now), I do still make things like bbq chic'n (Quorn), sweet n sour meat(less) balls, spaghetti with soy crumbles, and even occasionally a nice veggie brat roasted over the firepit. Our culture revolves around meat so much that many of our traditions involve it. What is a campfire without roasted hot dogs and marshmallows? Vegetarian substitutes for both allow us to enjoy the activities we always have. It also helps those who want to, to fit in with the meat-eating crowd at various get-togethers. If I go to a barbecue, I'll take along a veggie burger. Then my plate isn't missing anything, even if the host isn't vegetarian.

Everyone has different reasons for being a vegetarian or vegan, and everyone has a different opinion of meat substitutes. Personally, if I can have the taste without the guilt... I'll take it!

Answer 8

actually, you know, I ask this question a lot sometimes too. I've been a vegetarian for 12+ years out of choice (none of my parents are) and i'm only 22 right now. I already forget the taste of meat, so there's nothing for me to wish for. When I do eat things that are supposedly mimicking meat, i don't do it because I think it tastes like meat. I do it because it adds something different to my diet; in actuality I'd settle for other flavored tofu as well. I've heard from friends who do eat meat that the soy substitutions tastes nothing like meat anyway. Also, it's just something to eat. I'd actually really prefer it better if they didn't call it soy (beef, chicken, fish, etc). It should just be flavored and spiced soy, in my opinion.

Answer 9

I dont think is made to mimic meat...but the burger..."a sandwich consisting of a cooked patty, usually in a roll or bun"
So maybe we should ask why we call that a burger...why dont we call it something else

Many philosophers tried answering things like “why do we call chair a chair” etc etc. They are still working on identifying the reasons of why we as human being call things a certain thing; however they came into conclusion that we as human being learn (we have the ability to adapt to new things) but we prefer to stick with what’s familiar to us.

Many vegans and vegetarian were raised by families that ate meat. So making vegan food that mimic other types of non-vegan food is familiarity with the products...becasue as human we try to stick with whats familiar to us. ALSO this is a method to show meat eaters that there are alternative foods that actually don’t spill blood. This is also a marketing strategy …it allows people that become vegan for health reasons to eat the same foods.

However why do meat eaters have a problem with vegan foods, when in restaurants you can find tuna , crab, cat, dog burgers etc…. and not just beef

ALSO…why don’t you all try to get a patent on the word and look of the “hamburger” so we don’t have to use it…

Another question I get is “why is it called soy milk” hmmm… by definition Milk is “an opaque white or bluish-white liquid” so “any liquid resembling this, as the liquid within a coconut, the juice or sap of certain plants, or various pharmaceutical preparations.” … that’s why is called Soy milk, do to the fact that is White…

Personally, I don’t like my food to taste like meat…so if any soy product taste close to meat I don’t eat it. I never liked cows milk (I thought was gross) but I LOVE soy MILK…

We live in a society that does not like change…and you are one of them… However know this…if meat-eaters had to get (kill) their own food…there will be more vegetarian in this world…

Answer 10

im vegan and i chose to be vegan cuz well i dont want to hurt animals (for a more detailed explanation, check out my answer to the question: why did u become a vegetarian/vegan?) and i only eat the stuff that mimics meat cuz it really isnt meat just a substitute and is healthy and doesnt harm animals, besides i dont really care if that stuff is like meat or not as long as its vegan, its ok with me but when some people start becoming veggies, they need something that is like meat so they can say to themselves this is just healthy meat when it really isnt meat at all, they do this to help with their diet

Answer 11

Many people choose to become vegetarians for ethical reasons. They usually like the taste of meat, but feel that it is wrong to kill something for food. They often are also against the way animals are treated when they are raised for food. It's not a matter of being hypocritical if they eat a veggie burger, because they are still eating vegetables, not an animal that has been killed.

The vegetarian versions are also usually healthier it terms of vitamins, fat content, and colories. Many are also very tasty. My son even loves the Morningstar farms Chik'n nuggets and the mini corn dogs.