I don't understand the concept of meat alternatives?!
I don't understand the concept of meat alternatives?
I have been leaning towards the Veggie lifestyle, and while learning about the foods and dishes used, I see so many "meat alternatives" that look and taste like the real thing. Why would someone who swears off meat want to eat something that even simulates it? If your not sure what I mean it would be the equivalent of drinking non-alchoholic beer if you were a recovering alchoholic. Mabey it's just me, but it doesn't make alot of sense. What is your take on it?
Answers:
Well, I'm not a vegitarian, but I have cut out red meat except for mabey once a month for health reasons, and the alternatives for me allow me to enjoy the taste of certain foods, without the health risk.
They like the taste and feel, but feel they should not be eating animal products. Think sugar substitute. Why drink diet cola?
I understand what you mean. I don't eat imitation or meat alternatives all the time, but once in a while like at a BBQ a bocca burger is great. When making a sandwich, these meats, could also be a good alternative, but I myself stick to the bocca burgers. Some of the meat alternatives have a funny taste to them. Some people actually liked the taste of meat, and giving that up was hard, so they still want some of the texture they got from meat.
I completely see your point. In fact I post a similar question quite awhile ago. Some people use things like veggie burgers or veggie dogs as a way to transition away from eating meat. Some people feel more included in things like bbq's if they can eat something similar (I, however, think a person stands out just as much). Some people like certain foods, but don't like the thought that it's made of meat. For example, I love corn dogs...but not the fact that underneath the yummy corn coating it's really a hotdog-and who knows what that actually is, but I don't want to eat it. I think it all boils down to the fact that many Western cultures eat a meat-centric diet and it's hard to live differently. Meat substitutes provide a way to "fit in". However, things like tofu and seiten...I don't think of those as substitutes so much as a plant-based protein.
Because many people who switch to a veggie diet don't do so because they dislike meat. It's usually more of a moral, environmental, or personal health choice. And actually, I know an alcoholic who drinks non-alcoholic beer. It comes down to wanting to fit in with society. He can go to the pub and have a pint with his friends, just like a veggie can go to a BBQ and have a veggie burger and vegan potato salad.
I eat the meat alternatives from time to time, mainly because they are quick and convienient and a good sorce of protein. I have found ones that taste very good but honestly none of them would ever fool me for the real thing, so it's not like I'm pretending to eat meat. I'm not a "recovering meat eater". I don't miss eating meat in the least, and I've never had a veggie burger that made me crave the "real thing"
And yes like everyone else said, it's nice to be able to bring my own veggie dog to a BBQ, and yes I get a couple little comments everytime about it, but let me ask them to throw a piece of tofu on the grill for me and it would turn into "lets put the freak into the glass case and point at her" with some of the people I know. hmmm, maybe I need new friends, lol
Tastes good, but didnt bleed. That is the concept.
My take on it is that most of the current vegetarians didn't grow up that way so we had eaten meat early on in our lives.
Food or meals are often associated with some kind of memory of gatherings with family or friends and dare I say they are often fond memories?
Anyways, my point is that some of us who can't/won't eat meat for whatever reason still wants to have the type of experience they remember from before.... Or, as stated earlier to blend in and not be the "freak" in the crowd that doesn't eat a hot dog or hamburger....that centring out saves us from the conversation we all know and repeat often.
But more often I feel it's the association from past meals...perhaps close to the idea like "low cal" or "low fat" items... the same feeling without drastic measures of change.
For me if I was raised vegetarian or vegan I most likely would not look for the Tofurkey slices or veggie burgers or ground veggie round for chili. Maybe it's a comfort food thing.
*Please note I said "some" and "most" ... I didn't say "all" or "every" vegetarian.
...I'm just saying :-)
problly the meat company made those meat alternatives, and they make it taste nasty, to turn people off vegetarianism
anyone smart enough knows it's full of crap those fake meat are, for $3 i can get a package of fake meat with 30 grams of protein, shoot for 50cent i can get that 30 grams of protein
in soy milk,. or nuts and seeds, plus it take less time to eat then to prep the fake meat
It's just about eating something you like, only healthier and guilt-free. It makes me feel good that nothing has to die for me to eat.
People just want more alternatives in their food. You could probably live on rice and beans, and a few other things, but most people want more options.
Some people still want to be able to "fit in" with the group otherwise people think "what can I make for these people."
The reason (some) vegetarians don't eat meat is because they don't want to support the animal abuse that goes on in the meat industry. So say when they decided to become a vegetarian, they still liked meat, but still chose to give it up... They may like to eat meat alternatives instead... since it is not meat, it would be vegetarian.
I honestly never liked meat, and I don't think that the meat alternatives taste all that much like real meat, different texture... different flavor.... so I like veggie burgers :)
It is goofy, but if you think about it, it does make sense... They are not eating meat, whats wrong with eating something that looks like meat but is vegetarian, and cruelty free?