Why do Vegetarians eat pretend meat if they're against eating animals?

Question

It seems silly to eat meatless eat balls, or tofu turkey or meatless ribs
Why not nuts and berries instead

Answer 1

They appreciate the taste of meat, they just don't actually want to eat the meat...for moral reasons.

Answer 2

That's an interesting question. I think most people go veg for health or ethical reasons, not because they dislike the way meat tastes or looks. Faux meat is a great protein source, and it makes it easier for people to go vegetarian because they can just modify their favorite recipes and meals using the faux meats. BLT sandwich? No problem, just use soy bacon. Meatball sub? Use Nate's Meatless Meatballs. Why live on nuts and berries when you can enjoy other tasty foods that don't require billions of animals to be killed?

Answer 3

I say what I eat does not offend you. As I've ALSO said before (you should've seen this same question pop up about 165465406465 times when you tried to post this one), you can't have it both ways. You can't say "vegetarians eat rabbit food." then say "You can't eat meat analogs, that makes you a *whiny voice* HYYYYYPOCRITE" or *whiny voice* "I could never be vegetarian, it's sooooooo hard. I'd miss my meeeeeeat"

The meat industry does not have a monopoly on the link or patty shape. Get over it.

Answer 4

It does seem a bit silly, but its more to help people who are the only vegetarian in their family, people who eat meat who want to sometimes have a non-meat meal or people who have stopped eating meat, as it allows them to just replace the meat with something similar. It is a convenient substitute as it has the same flavour and texture and role in the meal (providing proteins and some fats). You are effectively asking about the vegetarian category of fast-food, where meat-eaters don't have a good range of real home made dishes either. Its not like you walk into McDonalds and get a home-made dish with natural ingredients either, even if at home you might cut your fries from potatoes or make your burgers from fresh mince. So a vegetarian at home might cook with nuts or seeds but in certain products might choose to have a ready-made solution.

The truth is that burgers and meatballs and sausages aren't the shape that animals grow in, they are convenient shapes to make foods into with your hands (dumplings are also round, spring rolls are also cylindrical, pancakes are also circular) so if non-meat products are made into these shapes then that isn't hypocritical, that's just your association with meat. It does seem silly to then go a step further and make products to emulate specific meats, but there is a market for them as meat-replacements where people want to substitute for moral or dietary reasons, though I don't think this market is as much amongst long-term vegetarians in vegetarian families where the idea of substituting for meat becomes redundant.

When people are in a vegetarian family, or have been vegetarian for a lifetime (like I have) then you change the whole structure of the meal so it isn't the stereotypical "meat, potato and two boiled vegetables" but can be a stirfry, or curry, or bake, or pizza, or pasta dish that incorporates proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins in one dish. Then sometimes you would add nuts and seeds, sometimes you would use cheese, sometimes tofu, sometimes beans, and sometimes a processed product.

So, in short, the reason for eating vegetarian fast-food is the same as the reason for eating meat-based fast food - convenience. When you have time, and creativity, and fresh ingredients you can make something that tastes nicer and is better for you, but we don't all have the time to do that every day. So some days you just heat up a burger or a sausage, whether these are made from meat or from other ingredients.

Answer 5

Because we like them and they aren't dead animals! Trust me they don't taste like meat so we aren't trying to get the taste of meat. Although if we were what would be the issue? Most of us have become vegetarian because of moral reasons not because we didn't like the taste of meat.
Why the hell would I want to just eat nuts and berries? Just because I don't want to eat animals doesn't mean I want to eat like a Rabbit or Deer! I like variety!

Answer 6

Don't be nasty. You don't have the first clue about what vegetarians (and vegans, for that matter) eat. Meat analogues have taste and texture without the cruely--not to mention the fat, cholesterol, hormones, and antibiotics--inherent in the production of animal products. For people who want to reduce or eliminate animal products from their diet, for whatever reason they're doing so, the analogues make it easy to enjoy tasty, hearty foods

Answer 7

It's not actual meat. I actually prefer nuts and berries and I don't eat meatless meat besides things like veggie dogs, if that's what you mean.

Answer 8

Well, I don't think the question is insulting. I think the use of 'silly' can make it sound insulting. Maybe you should paraphrase it in order not to get any more complaints. :)

The question itself is interesting. I think it is to have variety. Why do NON-vegetarians eat them??? TO HAVE VARIETY! :D It's boring to eat the same thing every day, isn't it? ;) Now, of course it is very practical to modify a recipe rather than make one up... I think that's why they eat meatless versions of 'meatful' (LOL meat :D) recipes.

Answer 9

Vegetarians make many personal sacrifices- in particular, they give up a lot of the pleasure of eating, because animal fats add flavour to meals. If you want a real thrill, chow down some straght tofu. It is bland and tasteless beyond belief. "TVP" (texturized vegetable protein) is right up there with tofu on the flavour scale. These products, however, offer the vegetarian with a source of amino acids that are essential to life. Fortunately for the vegetarian, these two substances may have flavour added, and they also take on the flavours of whatever they may be cooked with or in. TVP is the main constituent in meatless meatballs and ribs. Tofu is a common filler in orietal vegetarian dishes.
As for me, I am not vegetarian, but I enjoy tofu when used properly in oriental dishes, and find meatless meat a bit over the top. To me, it is seasoned beyond my taste. To each their own, though.
If you choose to be vegetarian, make certain you do your homework, and that you do not compromise your health by either vitamin deficency, amino acid deficency or mineral deficency.

Answer 10

Personally, I like having a wide variety in my diet. I am against eating animal; faux meats are NOT animals, so there is no conflict. I also eat nuts and berries. And seeds and vegetables. And grains and legumes. You have a truly bizarre idea of what a vegetarian eats...

Answer 11

I guess I agree with you. But I've been a vege for about 8 weeks and it was HARD to go through thanksgiving with out the turkey I love. I needed some sort of replacement for the meat the rest of my family was enjoying!

Good Luck and happy turkey day