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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder who eats this food and why?

507 replies

BingoBonus · 22/03/2023 10:26

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?

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
DuchessOfSausage · 22/03/2023 18:34

@Itsneverwhatitseems , many of the ones I know feel the same.

Itsneverwhatitseems · 22/03/2023 18:47

PoseyFlump · 22/03/2023 17:23

@ChildrenOfTheQuorn for that comment you win the internet today 😂😂

@ChildrenOfTheQuorn just writing that on my list of answers to stupid questions. Thanks 👏

Itsneverwhatitseems · 22/03/2023 19:03

Nosleepforthismum · 22/03/2023 13:22

I’m not a vegan but I enjoy vegan meals and love cooking in general. We try not to eat loads of processed stuff but for me, I find it really hard to come up with a large variety of healthy vegan meals that don’t rely on processed meat substitutes to make the meal substantial. I can totally see why vegan households buy this stuff because it’s hard to go vegan full time without it.

Suggest Having a go at Moroccan recipes. Lots online.
Lots of beans and spices. Our current favourite go to meal.

fFor a really quick meal My sons love stir fries with lots of sesame seeds and cashews. Plus home made seitan.

StaunchMomma · 22/03/2023 19:25

What's so hard to understand?

Not wanting to eat animals doesn't stop chicken nuggets tasting nice! Same wit bacon, sausages etc.

KarmaStar · 22/03/2023 19:39

Because they would rather eat that than an innocent murdered animal who died screaming in pain and fear.

BingoBonus · 22/03/2023 19:53

I didn't start this as a vegan bashing thread. I was genuinely asking why non meat eaters want to eat fake meat.
Thankyou to those who have explained their reasons, I have a better understanding now.

OP posts:
Ghostofborleyrectory · 22/03/2023 19:56

UnctuousUnicorns · 22/03/2023 11:32

"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. 🙂

Excellent response! Been veggie for years, do get annoyed when ONLY fake meat in pubs etc but only because it is an easy/cheap thing to replicate/cook myself and it is lazy cheap menu offerings. Animals do not come sausage shaped or burger shaped. Sometimes I like a healthy entirely vegetable based meal, today we had veggie sausage, chips and beans. Tommorrow will be vegetarian chilli.

BingoBonus · 22/03/2023 20:04

I still don't understand anyone wanting to eat ultra processed foods though, its gross..... Be it animal or plant based!

OP posts:
HeyItsPickleRick · 22/03/2023 20:04

I don’t eat meat and usually eat nuts, pulses and whole foods…however on occasion I will have eat junk food I know is shite. I don’t think many people would think that is a healthy choice, but it’s a nice to have the option if you miss the taste of chicken but don’t want to have paid for a chicken to die.

Growing up I ate fish fingers but it wasn’t because I wanted to eat fingers. I don’t know why people get so het up by people eating foods that looks like other things… I mean, what the fuck is jelly meant to be!?

DuchessOfSausage · 22/03/2023 20:19

I still don't understand anyone wanting to eat ultra processed foods though, its gross..... Be it animal or plant based!
Quite. I can see why people want to eat high quality meat and dairy food, or delicious and nutritious food without meat or dairy in them.

GCWorkNightmare · 22/03/2023 20:21

PuddlesPityParty · 22/03/2023 11:16

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?

Haven’t eaten meat for 30+ years. Gave it up because I don’t like the taste or texture. Now can’t eat veggie alternatives because they’ve been made for meat eaters. Fucking infuriating.

Seriously considering trying eating meat again. Bravo veganuary. 👏 <-sarcasm

Lottylove · 22/03/2023 20:25

I can no longer eat meat after a serious illness, and I miss it! It’s not just for the vegans!

PuddlesPityParty · 22/03/2023 20:26

GCWorkNightmare · 22/03/2023 20:21

Haven’t eaten meat for 30+ years. Gave it up because I don’t like the taste or texture. Now can’t eat veggie alternatives because they’ve been made for meat eaters. Fucking infuriating.

Seriously considering trying eating meat again. Bravo veganuary. 👏 <-sarcasm

You sound pathetic 🥱

I don’t eat a lot of meat alternatives. You know what I do eat? Veg, pulses, I make my own lentil shepards pie, or a nice soup. Is anyone forcing you to buy and eat meat alternatives? Spoiler alert - no.

Get a life and grow up saddo.

PoseyFlump · 22/03/2023 20:38

BingoBonus · 22/03/2023 20:04

I still don't understand anyone wanting to eat ultra processed foods though, its gross..... Be it animal or plant based!

And yet you never mentioned animal based in your OP. You got what you wanted. A vegan bashing bun fight. Do a MN search next time. The fake meat topic has been done to death. Or be brave and ask on the Vegan section, if you are 'genuinely' interested. 🥱

PoseyFlump · 22/03/2023 20:45

KarmaStar · 22/03/2023 19:39

Because they would rather eat that than an innocent murdered animal who died screaming in pain and fear.

I kinda wish this could have been the first response to the thread and then the thread locked. That and the dildo comparison 😂

Itsneverwhatitseems · 22/03/2023 20:48

@BingoBonus
This thread was bound to end up as a row over to eat meat or not to eat meat.

Its been an interesting thread and Thankyou for raising it.
But basically
People eat pre-made processed foods for convenience, whether thats meat based or vegan. I never understood why my cousin fed her kids those turkey twizzler things and smiley faced mashed potato until she pulled a can of pre-made ratatouille out of my cupboard and some jammy dodgers and held them aloft. Touché

PoseyFlump · 22/03/2023 20:51

Jammy dodgers are vegan. But don't tell the meat eaters else they'll boycott them.

Itsneverwhatitseems · 22/03/2023 21:09

PoseyFlump · 22/03/2023 20:51

Jammy dodgers are vegan. But don't tell the meat eaters else they'll boycott them.

Wow
I really didn’t know that. Thought they were vegetarian. I actually just checked as I couldn’t believe that. Win win 🤫

MrsAvocet · 22/03/2023 21:17

Itsneverwhatitseems · 22/03/2023 21:09

Wow
I really didn’t know that. Thought they were vegetarian. I actually just checked as I couldn’t believe that. Win win 🤫

The full size ones are, but the mini ones carry a "may contain" warning for milk and eggs that doesn't appear on the regular packet. (Or didn't last time I bought some.) I presume it's something to do with where they are produced rather than actually a different recipe, but if you require absolutely no possible trace of animal products you'll need to avoid the mini ones.

VeganVeteran · 22/03/2023 21:18

Ive NC for this-only ever used this name for an AMA I did. Other than that AMA which was for legitimate reason, I never tell people I am vegan unless they directly ask (EG if I am out for a work meal and choose that option), or it comes up in a relevant conversation-because I get such a negative attitude from people mostly, and because I don't like talking about it-it seems to invite animosity.

Overall this is just a 'shock horror, vegan junk food exists!' thread. Vegans aren't allowed convenience food or food they eat just because they like the taste-we'll leave that to the meat eaters. Anyone with any time on this planet surely knows that humans don't generally just eat food for health reasons.

I absolutely loved my trip to a city the other day with my Mum. We walked into a random restaurant for lunch and were both able to order pizzas. Hers 'normal' mine with a cheese substitute. Its so nice to be able to order 'normal' food and not have to say things like 'can I have this but without this' or 'I'll just have a side of bread and a side salad please and what's in the dressing?' (Things used to be like this and it wasn't pleasant). I know not all vegans like vegan cheese substitutes but I do and I am glad products like this exist for that reason.

Veganism is recognised under the equality act now. I don't bash anyone for their food choices but I am often on the receiving end of that from meat eaters. VERY often!

I am a healthy weight, I exercise, I eat well most of the time but of course sometimes I want to just eat something 'junky' and delicious and convenient.

Why should we not be allowed that? As others have said, many vegans are such for reasons other than they dont like the taste of meat and for me, it is nice to be treated as 'normal'.

I could start a random thread and put up a link to some ultra processed sausage rolls that are £2 for ten or a loaf of white bread or a packet of sweets 'why do people eat this' and I'd expect 'Well because they want to? Because they like it? Because they needed to cater for someone who would eat them?' or 'Why do so many people eat meat and claim to love animals?

I find it so ignorant to claim to 'not understand' why people might do things differently to you.

@Ponoka7 Hangover cure, anything salty or carby! I've never had a problem and I quite often have a hangover to be honest leftover pizza is great as is a lot of coffee (with creamer)!

B12 deficiency isn't so common in the UK. I've been vegan 22 years and never been deficient in anything. As I said upthread-its the 'othering' I dont like. I am so happy that things like this exist so we can behave as most meat eaters do if we dont like cooking. I LOVE cooking but many don't and that's fine.

@VivaciousRadish I love that!
@PuddlesPityParty I had a similar response in mind, to that post but you put it better.

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 22/03/2023 21:19

1993 called - they want your OP back.

BingoBonus · 22/03/2023 21:20

Wow...........I always thought the stereotypical angry vegan was a myth but the responses by some vegans on this thread are making me reconsider!

OP posts:
GCWorkNightmare · 22/03/2023 21:23

Its so nice to be able to order 'normal' food and not have to say things like 'can I have this but without this' or 'I'll just have a side of bread and a side salad please and what's in the dressing?' (Things used to be like this and it wasn't pleasant). I know not all vegans like vegan cheese substitutes but I do and I am glad products like this exist for that reason.

i can count on the fingers on one hand how many times I’ve been able to do that in the last 25 years. Apparently non-meat = carb fest. I rarely eat out nowadays.

Suzi888 · 22/03/2023 21:23

AllOfThemWitches · 22/03/2023 11:30

Yeah it's disgusting and processed to shit.

Bit like a cheap, gristly meat one then. 😉

OP if the U.K population only ate nutrient rich food we wouldn’t have an obesity problem.

YABU at the very least! but here 🏆we haven’t had a vegan bashing thread for awhile lol.

Radical0pal · 22/03/2023 21:23

BingoBonus · 22/03/2023 21:20

Wow...........I always thought the stereotypical angry vegan was a myth but the responses by some vegans on this thread are making me reconsider!

Oh bore off. So boring