I have tried the "mock" lunch meats and?

Question

really don't care for them, I do enjoy the veggie burgers, do I have to have this product as part of my vegan lifestyle? and any tips on a menu geared towards weight loss? any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Answer 1

Which mock lunch meats have you tried?  I don't care for the St. Yves brand or the Smart meats, but I LOVE sliced Tofurkey.  Try several different brands before you discount it all together.

But no, it's not necessary to eat mock meats to be a vegan/veggie.  Try to incorporate some protein, be it from nuts or tofu or seitan.  But a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables is enough to sustain anyone.

Answer 2

It is funny as a former chef who at one time had tried juut about everything since I have transitioned to a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet (6yrs ago) I have made it my task to try all the soya and faux meat products around, I eat a number of different tofu's and seitan, I have never found anything wrong with any of them, I guess it depends on the maker and your taste in foods.

I looked at them not as faux meats but sandwich additives, like the soya cheese, veggies and non- mayo based toppings. I have tried a number of tofu hotdogs, here in Canada and now available in the U.S is the Yves Veggie Gourmet line, I like all there products including the veggie skewers, like a shish kabob with a tofu meat like material.

All I can say is try all that is around in your area, you are bound to find something you like, it is a hit and miss situation and unlike meat, soya products are not all made the same.

Answer 3

Of course not.  I don't eat mock meats very often, and I eat mock lunch meats even less often.  You don't have to eat those to have a thriving vegan diet.  

I don't have specifics on weight loss menus but just lower caloric intake, reduce or eliminate sugar AND sugar alternatives.  Make sure you eat whole grain bread and pasta vs. white.  Eat more raw fruits and veggies.  Eat five small meals instead of 3 large meals a day.  Get plenty of sleep because more sleep equals higher metabolism.  Also drink plenty of fluids.

Answer 4

Mock lunch meat isn't my fave either, I only eat it on occasion.

I don't know if you are interested in any specific diet plans, but I will share with you that I lost a lot of weight following the Weight Watchers program. The WW program doesn't dictate what you choose to eat, it just makes it easy for you to regulate your intake while eating what you enjoy. Of course, healthy choices are encouraged. It is the only weight loss program that can be vegetarian/vegan friendly that I know of because the food choices are your own and you don't have to buy any of their food or protein bars, etc..

If you're not interested in a program. Just read your food labels. Eat what is lower in fat (not fat free all the time, you need some fat) and higher in fiber and of course, lots of fresh veggies.

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

Hey, if you don't like them, don't eat them. No one says you have to just because they exist.

You can do better with a really good vegetarian cookbook or two that teaches you to cook a greater variety of foods using more herbs for your flavor. And a cupful of beans goes a long way.

Barnes and Noble has a great collection of vegetarian cookbooks with terrific pictures to help get you cooking more variety. Ethnic cookbooks such as Thai and Indian also have many vegetarian dishes to try that give you all the flavor.

Have fun instead of hating yuckky products!

Answer 6

No.  You don't have to eat anything you don't like.  I have never even had the faux lunch meats and I've been vegan for a year.

Try smart dogs, chick'n, and meatless meatballs.  They are 3 more vegan options to give you some variety.

I would say try the faux lunch meats again later on down the road.  I didn't like smart dogs when I first tried them, but now I could eat them everyday.

Answer 7

I agree, you don't have to eat fake meat at all.  Some alternative proteins are:

peanut butter (of course!) and other nut butters.  A little fatty though.

beans, chickpeas

hummus (very low cal, high fiber)

nuts

tempeh (more of a textured meat alternative)

Some alternative meats that I think are not bad are:  boca burgers, veggie sausages, st yves hot dogs, veggie corn dogs.