To wonder who eats this food and why?

[BingoBonus]

https://groceries.asda.com/product/plant-based-meat-alternatives/plant-based-by-asda-chicken-style-fillets/1000383161908

Plant-based chicken-style breaded fillet. The main two ingredients are water and oil!

I don't understand the boom in plant-based ultra-processed foods...........do people actually buy these as a healthy option? And if you are vegetarian why would you want something that looked like meat?

Because they want to? Generally speaking vegans are vegan for the animals, whereas plant based people do it for their health. Why do people eat sweets, crisps, red meat, etc.?

Veggies and vegans go for “fake” meats because, as I said, they’re in it for the animals not because they dislike the taste of meat. It’s also an easy thing to shove in the oven if you’re feeling lazy, like chips or a pizza.

Do you only eat nutrient dense, healthy food?

And why do you think people are buying it as a healthy option? You’ve made an assumption based on nothing there.

I haven't tried asda ones but I have had similar ones like quorn versions, because they're tasty and a fancy eating them. The same as with every other type of food.

I dont. Ive been vegan since a child and have no desire to eat meat lookalike food.

People buy them because they like those foods but don't want to eat animals.

I occasionally buy quorn nuggets as I fancy some quick and easy junk food, the same way that meat eaters might occasionally buy ultra processed breaded chicken products. Neither are a particularly healthy, nutritious choice, but as part of a balanced diet, they are fine. I don't eat meat for various reasons but I quite like a fake meat every now and then - I miss the flavour and texture.

It’s not the look of meat vegetarians object to. It’s not the healthy option it’s the quick convenient option especially when you are replacing meat in a like for like meal when some are having meat.

If you judge by the aisles people don't seem to be buying them. They are all always on reduced, and clearly not shifting

We buy that kind of thing as we only have 1 veggie in the family. So if serving chicken, potatoes and salad for example to the majority the veggie can have the same meal as us without any extra cooking/faff.

Would love to know what else you suggest. I don't usually have time to do a whole separate main if we're having "something" with potatoes and veg/wedges and salad or even with chips and peas. They need a "something...."

They're generally pretty gross to be honest, there are far better options for meat-free alternatives than the weird fake meat. It's usually no healthier than real meat either.

It doesn't do very well though, when there were shortages the only shelves that were full still were these ones, and it's always this crap that ends up in the reduced section.

Good seitan or tofu is far far nicer than this junk.

Oh just clicked properly on the picture. No we probably wouldn't buy that. But do buy the lidl not-chicken nuggets or breaded fake chicken which I imagine are similar inside 🙈.

Vegan/plant-based is touted as healthier from a marketing perspective. So if someone wants to cut down on meat it's a natural progression.

Most people don't put too much thought it the ingredients past the message 'plant-based = healthier' and why should they?

It wasn't until I paid more attention to ultra-processed food that I realised that if I wanted less meat and more plant-based in my diet, it would have to be actual unprocessed plants, not meat subs which mostly taste shite anyway.

I guess I might buy those if I had to feed a veggie a routine meal (i.e. not a fancy dinner party or anything) but already had a meat -based meal planned or didn't want to put in a lot of effort. Say, a few kids coming round and I was planning on giving them chicken burgers or nuggets of fish fingers. And I'd imagine some veggies/vegans might have them in the freezer as a contingency for those times when you get home late, have nothing fresh in the house, are knackered and just want a quick dinner, or as an easy tea one night a week.

It’s no more unhealthy than the meat alternative.
Weird thing to focus on really.

Plenty of people include imitation meat products in a vegetarian diet as most people start eating meat and go veggie rather than always being veggie so it’s a flavour that’s familiar to them and they can make ‘normal’ meals.

Any households cater for both veggie and non veggie family members. I guess 'fake meat' products make it easier for everyone to eat a similar meal with shared elements eg. Meat eaters have sausage mash and peas and veggies have veggie sausage mash and peas. Both diets are catered for but the only extra work is putting some veggie sausages on a tray.

They wouldn't be my first choice of meal, I prefer veggie food made from vegetables but i can see where they would have their place.

My daughter is vegetarian and likes some things like this for some meals. I'm not sure anyone buys them specifically because they think they're making a 'healthy choice'. They are fine as part of a balanced diet and they offer convenience.

If you don't want to buy them, then don't.

Yeah it's disgusting and processed to shit.

I. Vegetarian ad I never eat that rubbish. I went through a phase of eating veggie junk food and put on 2 stone. That stuff is horrifically calorific.

It’s no more unhealthy than the meat alternative.

Haha good joke.

My DD would eat them because she likes the taste but doesn't want to eat animal products

"And if you are vegetarian why would you want something that looked like meat?"

The clue is in the words "look like", not "is". I'm vegetarian because I don't want to eat dead animals (or fish). Meat substitutes are not meat, no animals were harmed in their production, so if I fancy e.g. a "meat" style burger or "chicken" fillet every now and then, if it tastes good, I'll eat it. I find Vivera vegan "steaks" particularly nice. 🙂

I also, believe or not, eat pulses, nuts, vegetables etc. How about you do you, and the rest of us can do us. I don't need to justify my preferences; however much it may "look" or "taste" like meat, it is not meat, therefore, I eat it with a clear conscience. 🙂

Oh I've just clicked through and they're not breaded as you described — in that case, I would maybe buy it to replace chicken fillet in something, when I had a single veggie to cater to (or someone who requires a type of meat I can't easily guarantee e.g. religiously acceptable).

Quorn pesto and mozarella escalopes are gorgeous. But M and S fake duck hoisin wrap is beyond grim. I'm not a massive fan of fake meat but some are Def better/ healthier than others.

I'm vegan, for animal welfare reasons. I would still enjoy the taste of meat. So, sometimes, I eat fake meat products - some of them are very tasty. Never tried this one though.

I don't think anyone considers this healthy though? To me, this sorta food is what I call 'vegan junk food'. It's a treat.

I make burgers from black beans/mushrooms/sweet pot/beetroot etc in a food processor but occasionally I fancy a fake meat burger like Linda M’s version. I think it’s the texture.

My ds is a meat eater but since finding some grizzle in a meat burger asked for a LM burger instead which I’m cooking anyway for myself.