Okay...serious question...if you are a vegetarian or vegan

[Excelsior! Academy]

why do you eat mock meats?

[violamama]

Because I like them, but most of mine are really grain patties. The closest to mock meats I regularly buy would be some breakfast sausage patties. Good protein, filling through to lunch.

[Free]

why do you eat mock meats?

 

I think people who once ate meat and liked it would probably consider eating mock meats as a substitute (for the taste perhaps?). I have never eaten meat in my life and would never consider eating mock meats.

[BrookValley.]

I don't eat meat analogs often. When I do, it's often because we're eating out. There are a few local places that have veggie burgers on the menu. In those cases, it's partly about wanting a vehicle for large amounts of BBQ sauce and pickles and a side of fries. :) It's also partly from a desire to encourage these businesses to keep offering veggie options.

 

I do sometimes make veggie burgers at home, though I prefer homemade black bean burgers, and I wouldn't really call those meat substitutes. I could do without most of the packaged frozen meat substitutes; if I really wanted something like meat, I'd eat meat. I do occasionally eat Gardein brand 'chicken' nuggets, but again, I think they're more a vehicle--in this case, for large amounts of Tabasco sauce.

[DawnM]

Define mock meats.

 

I love black bean burgers and chick pea based taco type dishes. I also use Bocca burgers crumbled as a meat substitute sometimes when I am not eating meat.

[Ann.without.an.e]

My dd has been a vegetarian for 5 years. The deal was (when she wanted to go vegetarian) that she could not live on soy. I simply don't think it is very healthy for you. She has a black bean burger (or other veggie burger) about 4-5 times a year. She doesn't even like the other "mock" meats she has tried (she hasn't tried that many).

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

I've been a vegan for a few years. "Mock" meats never appealed to me, so I don't eat them. Most long-term vegans I know don't eat mock meats. I avoid cookbooks that promote mock meals. There is enough variety in a plant-based diet that you don't have to try to recreate "meat & potatoes" meals.

[Clarkd]

There are many reasons for being vegetarian (e.g., health, culture, taste, environmental politics, food safety concerns, animal welfare). Each different reason then relates to what a person chooses to eat (beyond meat). There are many ways to be vegetarian.

[HappyLady]

For me, they were a good transition. You grow up eating a certain way, regardless of your reasoning for wanting to not eat meat you still want some "comfort" by eating how you "normally" eat. Plus, most people don't give up eating meat because they don't like the taste of it so this way they get to still have the taste, but not everything else that comes with it. Personally, I very rarely eat them anymore because they remind me too much of meat and I since I don't eat them much anymore I don't even care for the taste of "meat."

[HappyLady]

I also want to add, thankfully there's such a demand for these products that they are no longer all made from soy. I know a lot of people assume if you're eating a lot of mock meats then you're eating a lot of soy, and that just isn't the case these days. And most of the products that are made from soy are made from non-GMO soy, which is another good thing.

[Arcadia]

If we buy chinese fried vegetarian fast food, there is a good chance of mock duck meat or mock pork being an ingredient. Cooking at home, we don't buy mock meat. I don't count vegetarian burger patty or hot dogs as mock meat though.

[Orthodox6]

In my case, it definitely would not be because I was missing meat! One silly reason that I rejoiced to discover EO fast from meat/poultry for so much of the year is that I so much disliked meat to begin with!

 

I cook well and enjoy the activity. I prepare vegan/vegetarian meals from, or based upon, many cuisines and cultures. If a recipe calls for a meat analogue, or lends itself to incorporating one, the analogue is nothing more than an ingredient. I'm far more concerned to ensure that I cook with non-GMO foods.

 

If I were to exclude meat analogues because I held a philosophical position that eating meat is wrong, I suspect that I would attempt consistency and also avoid other food products made to resemble animals and/or animal products -- such as chocolate rabbits and candy eggs! :001_smile:

[Cosmos]

I'm not vegetarian, but I eat tofu, tempeh, and seitan regularly, as well as black bean burgers and bulghar burgers. And Morningstar Farm breakfast sausage. Probably other things as well. Are those things "mock meats"? Anyway, I eat them because I like them.

[beaners]

If we buy chinese fried vegetarian fast food, their is a good chance of mock duck meat or mock pork being an ingredient. Cooking at home, we don't buy mock meat. I don't count vegetarian burger patty or hot dogs as mock meat though.

 

I saw a recipe with this in it the other day. Mock duck is one of the neatest things I have ever seen. You couldn't have it if you were gluten free, but it's still so cool to look at.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=mock+duck

[Parrothead]

Because sauerkraut alone on a bun is not appealing.

 

Because a slice of provolone, with a dab of mayo and mustard on a bun is not appealing.

 

Because lettuce, cheese on a tortilla is just weird. (I actually use black beans for tacos)

[dbmamaz]

When I was a vegetarian I only ate a few things . . I also made bean based veggie burgers . . .but they weren't that different from falafel, and they aren't meat like, but they are very yummy and satisfying on a bun with toppings! I also made soysauge from scratch and liked it more than I had ever liked sausage. But I never did like seitan/gluten, and it turned out I'm gluten sensitive. I didn't like the fake hot dogs tho. But I did make soysauge pigs in a blanket for a big party once. . . .big hit!

[Ann.without.an.e]

Because sauerkraut alone on a bun is not appealing.

 

Because a slice of provolone, with a dab of mayo and mustard on a bun is not appealing.

 

Because lettuce, cheese on a tortilla is just weird. (I actually use black beans for tacos)

 

 

So then I wonder (and I am seriously not being snarky)....why are you a vegetarian? As in, what is your motivation? Just curious :D

 

My dd thinks that a bun with provolone cheese, pickles, lettuce, and tomato is awesome.

[Parrothead]

So then I wonder (and I am seriously not being snarky)....why are you a vegetarian? As in, what is your motivation? Just curious :D

 

My dd thinks that a bun with provolone cheese, pickles, lettuce, and tomato is awesome.

 

Because I prefer not to eat animals. But I like a hotdog and sauerkraut and I like a burger.

 

To be perfectly honest, you ought to know not everyone has the same tastes. I mean, come on. Not all vegetarians eat the same foods any more than all carnivores eat the same foods. That is a ridiculous comparison to make.

[5wolfcubs]

When we switched diets again to vegan (and have switched yet again since!) my husband bought two kinds of mock meat -- a chicken one and a beef one, as transitional foods for our boys. They had a very hard time on a previous diet change (to raw vegan) and he wanted to make it easier on them. One was so-so and one was delicious, but I can't remember which! It was the only time we bought mock meat. It was too expensive to continue.

 

I do think the idea of trying to recreate meat is kind of strange. But then I love the blog Chocolate Covered Katie and she does an amazing job recreating junk food with healthy vegan ingredients. And I don't think that is strange. :lol:

[mytwomonkeys]

disclosure, i'm not a vegan but we eat vegan during lent. we always try to eat healthy & include little meat in our diet though.

 

i've not had all of the mock meats. in place of meats, we usually use beans and/or mushrooms and just lots of extra veggies. but i have had a morningstar burger. we eat those for burger night regardless of the time of year. they are SOOO yummy!! we will make them with steak seasoning fried lightly in a pan. top it with avocado, onion, lettuce, tomato and serve on a big whole wheat bun! seriously, that fake meat rivals any burger i've ever had!

 

i can see it as "having your cake and eating it too" kind of treat. for individuals that are transitioning into a vegan lifestyle, i think a morningstar burger just makes it so much easier.

[mytwomonkeys]

 

I do think the idea of trying to recreate meat is kind of strange. But then I love the blog Chocolate Covered Katie and she does an amazing job recreating junk food with healthy vegan ingredients. And I don't think that is strange. :lol:

 

 

 

oh, i love chocolate covered katie too! ( i LOVE her black bean brownies!!)

 

if you are eating raw, i love everything by jennifer cornbleet ...and the rawtarian blog is fabulous too!

[Deee]

We're in transition. I'm not sure what counts as mock meat. I eat lentil burgers and have done for years because they are yummy (I make them from scratch). Same with tofu - stir fry with tofu and noodles has been my son's favourite since he was 5. I've bought vegie bacon (christened "fakon" by DH) and I think I might get used to it if I don't eat the real thing for the next 10 years. I don't buy pretend schnitzel, chicken burgers, TVP or quorn, but a friend gave me some fabulous vego sausages that I would buy to have on hand for those days when I don't know what to cook and don't want to spend all day thinking about dinner. Saves me from falling off the wagon cos the truth is, having been a meat eater for 40 years, its just easier make meat-and-three-veg.

D

[PrairieSong]

I have been mostly vegan since February 1st, so I am new to this. However, I don't eat mock meat. I eat all kinds of beans and grains, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds. There are so many things to eat I don't feel deprived at all. I don't miss meat.

 

My 23yo daughter, who has been vegan for over a year, doesn't eat mock meat either. She does sometimes buy a vegan chili mix to which she adds canned tomatoes, black beans, and sometimes corn. She likes the flavor and texture of it, though I don't know if it qualifies as mock meat.

[Jenny in Florida]

why do you eat mock meats?

 

I don't. Neither do my kids. None of us find them appealing.

 

My husband does, occasionally. His explanation is that he doesn't see them as fake meats, just as a delivery vehicle for toppings.

[mommymilkies]

My daughter does sometimes because she's vegetarian for ethical, not culinary reasons. However, I try to avoid soy here, so she usually just makes her own black bean burgers & the like and very rarely has "fake meat" things.

[justasque]

why do you eat mock meats?

 

 

We use very few mock meats. I like to eat foods in as close to their natural state as possible, which rules out most of them. I do use soy yogurt, non-dairy cream cheese, and sometimes milk substitutes, because I enjoy dairy but can't have it. The veganish folks at my family dinners tried tofurkey for a few holidays, but we've gradually learned that we're happier not trying to duplicate the traditional meal; we now do fresh seasonal vegan dishes instead.

[AMJ]

Yay, references to blogs/resources! Thanks, everyone (including OP for asking)!

 

I'm not vegetarian. I have family and friends who have various eating desires/needs/restrictions, some medically-based, some cultural, some by simple preference. I recently learned that for myself, two "healthy" foods I really like must be kept to low intake, or I retain water and put on flab. We are omnivores, but interested and mindful of food choices and food impacts.

 

So I like to hear what other people eat and like, and why they choose what they do. I learn a lot that way! I've come a long way from not knowing what a tortilla was.

[VeganCupcake]

Like others, I am not sure what the definition of mock meats is. Does it mean that something is taking the place of meat in a meal, or is it supposed to look and taste just like a particular meat product? I don't know.

 

Once or twice a year, I'll buy tofu dogs to take to a barbeque. I would consider those a mock meat. (I once went to a work BBQ and other people ate all my tofudogs without knowing they weren't meat. :lol: )

 

I also like to make the chickpea cutlets from Veganomicon, but I don't really think those are a mock meat. Costco also sometimes has a veggie patty made by Don Lee Farms that has sunflower seeds and other yummy stuff in it.

[Cosmos]

I also like to make the chickpea cutlets from Veganomicon, but I don't really think those are a mock meat.

 

 

Oh, those are AMAZING. We also love the seitan piccata in that book. Yum!

[helena]

Because my kids chant "Meat, meat, meat... We want meat!"

:D

 

My kids are born and raised vegan, I've been veg for almost 25 years, my husband, vegan for longer. I grew up in a home with parents who didn't eat beef, pork, or poultry. All that to say nobody here has any interest in eating flesh. It's not our style, probably never will be (husband and I for sure). I cook lots of fresh healthy food. I cook my grandmas recipes. We're not meat heavy, but I use them for sure. It's not a new or western concept, people have been doing this for a long time. I find that my kids are good and full/satisfied after a hearty meal. They ask for it, so I cook it. They don't have any attachment to missing meat because they've never had it. They like the heartiness of the meal I think.

I don't really eat soy and my husband avoids wheat gluten, so that limits it right there. I like a soy free shrimp to make ceviche. We like a lamb that is made from mushroom and a few other ingredients. In moderation... no biggie.

 

Rushing out the door. Hope I made sense! :)

[Runningmom80]

This is a weird question. Do you think people are vegetarian or vegan because they don't like meat? We eat mostly vegan, aside for the occasional fish. We do it mostly for environmental reasons, partly for health reasons. That being said, DH and I were raised on meat, so we miss it occasionally. In those cases we use a substitute. We don't eat them often.

 

 

We've been vegan for over a year and I'm still surprised at the questions we get asked. Lol

[Orthodox6]

. Do you think people are vegetarian or vegan because they don't like meat?.

 

For some people, yes. For other people, no.

 

I grew up loathing meat, figuring out only later that it was because my mother was so poor a cook.

 

All these many years later, I am vegetarian or vegan (Church calendar governs which one) and occasionally consume seafood. I don't care for meat, and particularly dislike handling raw meat/poultry. I think non-meat/non-poultry meals taste better; however, that is personal preference. As already noted, I was pleased to learn that Orthodox Christians refrain from meat/poultry for more days in the year than they consume such. I do not have any moral negativity about people eating meat/poultry/seafood, although I definitely oppose much of how animals/poultry are "cared for" and slaughtered. I also am among those who consider an over-consumption of meat/poultry to trigger health problems.

[Runningmom80]

I think the people that are vegetarian or vegan because they don't like meat probably don't eat much mock meats. And let's be honest, most (not all!) mock meats don't taste like meat all that much anyways, so if someone does eat it, it's because they enjoy the taste, and prefer not to eat animal products.

 

 

I just think the answer to this question is pretty obvious?

 

 

[dbmamaz]

This is a weird question. Do you think people are vegetarian or vegan because they don't like meat?

 

yeah, i think thats odd too. some people are like that, but i dont think a majority. when i was vegetarian it was partly an ecology thing - cows are such an inefficient use of land - and partly a spiritual non-killing thing (tho i did still eat dairy and eggs and wear leather). it wasnt because i disliked meat. i had a lot of meat cravings when i first went veggie, and sometimes I would go ahead and let myself have a burger. but i really liked being a vegetarian. until i got pregnant and craved meat.

 

i have considered going veggie again - dh was for a while too, before we met. but dh got most of his protien from plain raw tofu, and i got most of mine from thick, long-cooked bean soups. i hate tofu (except fried or crumbled in to something saucy) and he hates beans (except in chili or hummus) and also hates anything saucy.

[HRAAB]

I'm not a vegetarian since I eat some fish and occasionally chicken. I don't like meat for the most part. A hunk of meat on my plate just doesn't make me salivate, let alone looking at it raw. Just my own oddities. I do eat black bean burgers and such because I like them. I like the taste. Is that what mock meats are? I don't eat them to replace meat but because they taste good to me.

 

And my dislike of meat has made it very hard to cut back on carbs which I need to do. Trying to figure out healthy eating is getting more and more difficult.

[HRAAB]

For some people, yes. For other people, no.

 

I grew up loathing meat, figuring out only later that it was because my mother was so poor a cook.

 

All these many years later, I am vegetarian or vegan (Church calendar governs which one) and occasionally consume seafood. I don't care for meat, and particularly dislike handling raw meat/poultry. I think non-meat/non-poultry meals taste better; however, that is personal preference. As already noted, I was pleased to learn that Orthodox Christians refrain from meat/poultry for more days in the year than they consume such. I do not have any moral negativity about people eating meat/poultry/seafood, although I definitely oppose much of how animals/poultry are "cared for" and slaughtered. I also am among those who consider an over-consumption of meat/poultry to trigger health problems.

 

 

There wouldn't happen to be a Orthodox cookbook would there? :001_smile: It sounds like the way I want to eat except I need protein. I don't feel well if I don't have enough protein in each meal, and I get tired of eggs.

[HappyLady]

 

There wouldn't happen to be a Orthodox cookbook would there? :001_smile: It sounds like the way I want to eat except I need protein. I don't feel well if I don't have enough protein in each meal, and I get tired of eggs.

 

 

 

What about beans, lentils, quinoa, tofu, nuts, etc? All high in protein. Do you eat any of those?

[Orthodox6]

There wouldn't happen to be a Orthodox cookbook would there? :001_smile: It sounds like the way I want to eat except I need protein. I don't feel well if I don't have enough protein in each meal, and I get tired of eggs.

 

 

They do exist. When I have time later, and if you wish, I'll post some titles. Orthodox parish cookbooks typically include both fasting and non-fasting (i.e. meat/poultry/dairy/eggs) recipes. There are, nonetheless, some available that focus on fasting meals.

 

In general, think "vegan + occasional seafood" and you have Orthodox fasting guidelines. You really don't need an EO cookbook to do that! I have a large home library of vegan cookbooks. I don't prepare "fancy" seafood, apart from a marvellous fish stew that I pull out for special occasions.

[Zebra]

why do you eat mock meats?

 

Frankenmeat IS "mock meat" IMHO. Most meat eaters are eating "mock meat" every time they eat "meat". I also don't know exactly know what you mean by "mock meat". Do you mean lentil balls instead of meatballs, or fologna that is shaped and seasoned to look like a piece of bologna?

[HRAAB]

 

 

What about beans, lentils, quinoa, tofu, nuts, etc? All high in protein. Do you eat any of those?

 

 

Yes I do and I like them, but I have digestion problems with legumes and grains. The last few weeks I've eliminated most of them from my diet (think Atkins induction phase) and replaced them with more veggies. Digestion and acid reflux have improved, but I'm not getting enough protein. Also why I'm sick of eggs. So I've tried to add in more meat. Not only do I not like it, it also causes digestion issues. I'm working on ways to combine food as that seems to help. For instance, if I don't have any dairy with the beans (no cheese/sour cream in my burrito) it's better but still have some acid. In fact, it's best if I don't eat the tortilla, just the beans. And that's boring. I love salad, but for lunch and dinner, I've about had my fill of greens for the time being. It's a work in progress trying to figure out what I can eat and what causes me misery.

[HappyLady]

 

Yes I do and I like them, but I have digestion problems with legumes and grains. The last few weeks I've eliminated most of them from my diet (think Atkins induction phase) and replaced them with more veggies. Digestion and acid reflux have improved, but I'm not getting enough protein. Also why I'm sick of eggs. So I've tried to add in more meat. Not only do I not like it, it also causes digestion issues. I'm working on ways to combine food as that seems to help. For instance, if I don't have any dairy with the beans (no cheese/sour cream in my burrito) it's better but still have some acid. In fact, it's best if I don't eat the tortilla, just the beans. And that's boring. I love salad, but for lunch and dinner, I've about had my fill of greens for the time being. It's a work in progress trying to figure out what I can eat and what causes me misery.

 

 

 

Oh goodness! I hope you find something that works for you!

[runbikeswim]

Answering on behalf of my son, the vegetarian who loathes vegetables, lol. He likes the taste of burgers, steak, sausage patties and bacon! But he hates the thought of eating animals. It is also a quick way for him to meet his protein needs in a pinch, but I do limit his consumption of faux foods. They aren't great for you and they are expensive, so they are a treat only. Mostly he just eats fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, dairy, eggs and lentils. Veggies are a battle.

[stripe]

why do you eat mock meats?

 

Because they taste better than mock vegetables and mock grains.

 

And because I really like Alice in Wonderland.

[Excelsior! Academy]

I was gone over the weekend with limited Internet. Thank you for your responses. I was (am) curious. No, I don't think most people are vegetarians because they don't like meat. :)

 

I haven't thought of transition times. That makes total sense. Also kids wanting to have similar meals as their peers.