Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that McDonalds need to up their vegan game

513 replies

Hiphopopotamus · 02/01/2020 19:36

As a vegan the start of veganuary is always really exciting when all the new companies bring out their vegan stuff - this year seems to be particularly great - Greggs have brought the vegan steak bake, kfc have their vegan burger and McDonald’s....well they’ve taken the horrible goujon things they have in their veggie burger, sold them separately and marketed them as a new vegan meal! Grin AIBU to think that they need to seriously up their game?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hiphopopotamus · 02/01/2020 19:57

And no - I don’t expect all places to cater for me. Many don’t. But McDonald’s have announced this new vegan meal with a big fanfare which I just found funny as it’s so shite.

OP posts:
GreaterSpottedFemale · 02/01/2020 19:57

I don't personally understand why anyone who is vegan would even step foot in somewhere like McDs. You're keeping that business profitable, yet it is predominantly against your own morals & ethics. Why go there at all?

FaFoutis · 02/01/2020 19:58

I get you Hip.

Whatsername177 · 02/01/2020 19:58

Slightly off topic - has anyone tried the KFC vegan burger? I haven't eaten a KFC in 23 years due to being a vegetarian from the age of 13. I'm interested....

CardinalSin · 02/01/2020 19:59

I don't see Vegan restaurants offering to do me a nice rare steak...

JayAlfredPrufrock · 02/01/2020 19:59

All fast food places are shite in the opinion of my refined tastebuds. I manage to not eat constantly when I am out.

FaFoutis · 02/01/2020 20:00

You're keeping that business profitable, yet it is predominantly against your own morals & ethics
So are ALL supermarkets. Do vegans go to those?

I'm interested in the KFC thing too.

Original poster
Hiphopopotamus · 02/01/2020 20:01

Is it just McDonald’s I’m not allowed to eat in as a vegan? What about mainstream chain restaurants that serve mostly meat and dairy? Can I eat in those or do I need to stay at home and weave my lentils that have been bought from my local cooperative?

OP posts:
CactusAndCacti · 02/01/2020 20:01

I'm not sure that it is because 'McDonald's gives no shits' but more because a vegan isn't their target audience. Vegan's aren't exactly banging their doors down demanding a suitable option.

It isn't worth their time and money developing something that has such low demand.

BaolFan · 02/01/2020 20:01

Whatsername177 yes tried it today. Not bad. Nice to know it's there. I travel a lot for work and often end up staying in travelodges and similar where the attached pub/restaurant stops serving at 9pm. It's useful to have a fast food vegan option.

I get the criticisms about morals and ethics, but I take a more flexible approach. Rome wasn't built in a day and you are far more likely to get places like this on board with expanding their vegan offering if you actually use them. If more and more people choose the vegan option then it incentivises them to keep pursuing it. At some point a bean counter somewhere is going to look at the numbers and work out that it's more cost effective for them to farm veg than livestock.

spingly · 02/01/2020 20:02

WTF is veganuary?

Nicknacky · 02/01/2020 20:02

It’s your choice to be vegan. There are plenty of options for you.

wontletmelogin · 02/01/2020 20:02

My veggie friend tried the KFC one today though she asked for normal mayo not the vegan one. She said it was really good!

IHaveBrilloHair · 02/01/2020 20:03

As an omnivore, I wish they'd stop using quorn, and start using vegetables.

BloodyCats · 02/01/2020 20:03

Why would anyone want to go there?! It used to be food but the finished result is nothing like food. Mmm one chemical burger worth hundreds of calories, doesn’t matter that I’ll still be hungry 20 minutes after a full meal.

PurpleDaisies · 02/01/2020 20:03

If people can buy vegetarian/vegan food at McDonald’s, IMO that’s a good thing. I’m a vegan. Fewer meat burgers sold means fewer animals being eaten.

The McDonald’s offering for non-meat eaters has always been lame. It’s a shame they never do any special promotion veg burgers when the other promotions are on.

Original poster
Hiphopopotamus · 02/01/2020 20:04

Sorry I’m getting snarky but some of these comments are just daft. I predominantly cook my own food from scratch. However I do buy food from supermarkets which surely prop up the meat and dairy industry. I eat out with friends, I travel and pick up food from service stations. Unless you grow and produce all food yourself it is very hard to distance yourself from the meat and dairy industry. And it’s a little annoying to be told that certain places are off limits for you even when you are trying to do the best you can while still living in the world. (Last time I start a bloody lighthearted food moan post!)

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 02/01/2020 20:04

As an omnivore, I wish they'd stop using quorn, and start using vegetables.

McDonald’s don’t use quorn.

FaFoutis · 02/01/2020 20:04

It isn't worth their time and money developing something that has such low demand
Greggs seemed popular today due to the vegan pasty thing.

This is change from the inside, it is to be welcomed.

BaolFan · 02/01/2020 20:05

It isn't worth their time and money developing something that has such low demand.

But there is demand. The Gregg's vegan sausage roll is one of their best sellers. Their mince pies regularly sell out - they're vegan (and bloody good as well). The KFC vegan burger has been launched after they tested it and it sold out every time they put it on the menu.

RollingOutOfBed · 02/01/2020 20:05

I'm not a vegan but I don't know why people think the idea of fast food outlets offering vegan options is so outlandish. For months now just about every major restaurant and cafe chain have been offering or planning to offer an increasing number of vegan options including KFC, Burger King, Subway, Costa etc, because the demand has increased so much. Not just from vegans but also from people who want to eat less meat for environmental or health reasons. Just this morning I read about two other chains and one supermarket launching new vegan products.

And no veganism doesn't have to mean eating healthy food. That may be some people's reason for going vegan I.e wanting to eat more plant foods, and there are certain subsets of veganism who focus on wholefoods but it is not an essential part of being a vegan.

CactusAndCacti · 02/01/2020 20:06

You are allowed to eat anywhere, I just wonder why a vegan would choose to go to McDonald's

HaggardMumofToddler · 02/01/2020 20:06

I love meat but would eat vegan chicken nuggets given the choice. So yes I agree OP. I eat vegan sausage rolls too!

Everyone saying that McDonald’s can’t possibly do it because their ethics are so un-vegan like. Surely this is how we bring not eating meat into mainstream society?

People like fast food. Wouldn’t this be a step in the right direction?

FaFoutis · 02/01/2020 20:07

Gregg's vegan sausage roll is far too salty. But hooray for it!

ShinyRuby · 02/01/2020 20:07

Surely as a vegan though you are against the use of animal products. So why would you want to give money to a corporation that profits from animal mass produced animal products?
^This!^
Absolutely do not understand why any vegan concerned in any way about animal welfare would want to eat at any major fast food chain.
Obviously I don't understand some so called 'vegans' eitherHmm