Why do vegetarians do this?

Question

Why eat tofurkey or anyother suedo meat produce. If you chose not to eat meat why mimick eating it. I don't understand that it's like being againt fur and where fake fur I mean only you know its not real so you still portrey the lifestyle. I understand using it to get used to the lifestyle But after a few years why pretend to eat meat why not eat it. And is it okay to eat Honey( If it just bee puke what is the problem)

Answer 1

because being a vegetarian some times is for the animals. they are usually against animal cruelty. like where do you think we get turkey from? the turkey has to be killed so we can have it on our table, if you eat a soy meat, no animals are harmed. same with fur, to get the real animal fur an animal is harmed, but to get fake fure, no animals are harmed!

Answer 2

I'm pretty sure that eating Tofurkey doesn't contribute to or promote any animal suffering.

I can't imagine why it would bother you. Just in case you didn't already know, Tofurkey and most other meat subs taste nothing like meat and it hardly counts as pretending to eat meat.

Answer 3

I agree.  It's totally stupid to be a vegetarian then eat imitation meat.  Honey is okay as long as you're not a vegan, which is the more extreme form of vegetarianism.  Vegans don't use anything that ever involved animals.

Answer 4

Hi Tigermuffin :)

We eat tofurkey, boca burgers, and other stuff like that because need to stay healthy. Some of us are vegetarians because we're against animal cruelty or religious reasons. So instead of letting them kill an animal to make us a hot dog, we use vegetarian meats. :) A fur coat is different - we dont need fur coats. But we do need foods that help us stay healthy. Also, we might still like the taste of meat even though we're vegetarian/vegan. Doesn't make us fakes

Answer 5

1) Most vegetarians don't eat meat because of health or ethical issues, not because they don't like meat. I ate Boca burgers years before I quit eating meat-they're good, and much healthier.

2) People against the fur industry are all about the ethics of killing fellow creatures for something to wear, since we can and do have cruelty free substitutes, some which actually look and feel the same. Fabulous Fur could actually even be a statement like "See, you can have the look and feel without killing anything " (they're cheaper too).

3) Only vegans, who use no animal products at all, do not use honey. The rationale is-honey is the bee's food. You are taking the food out of their mouths and replacing it with an unnatural and (some feel) inferior substitute.

Answer 6

because most vegetarians don't eat meat because of the cruelty inflicted on the animals, not because they don't like the taste of meat. a lot of the fake meat products taste really good.

i'm not a vegetarian but i eat boca burgers rather than real hamburgers because it grosses me out when i bite into a hamburger and get a chunk of cartilege or something nasty like that.

Answer 7

It's probably different for each vegetarian. For some it may be because they have not been veg their whole life, and it makes the transition to being veg easier. For some it may just be a matter of convince. A lot of people lead very busy lives. The pre-prepared meat-like substitutes make for a much quicker meal, than some of the other vegetarian options for adding protein in a diet.

As far as the fur issue goes: I don't think it's the look of fur that those people are against, but the killing of the animals to get the look. If their are alternatives that look as good as (or nearly as good as) the real thing, why kill an animal to get the look? Not being vegan, I can't say for sure what their thinking is.... Just a guess.

Some vegans eat honey, some don't. Can't tell you why or why not. I'm sure you could find some information on-line as to why some vegans don't eat honey.

Answer 8

Veggie Heads don't pretend to eat meat.

Tofurkey Adan such are the constructs of people converting others, replacing a habit (eating flesh) with things tasting like flesh.

In other words people who feel guilty eat Tofurkey and those who are hard core eat veggies.

Answer 9

Many people ask this question and it's really quite simple.

If no animals were harmed in the prosess of making the food, then I as a vegan am happy to eat anything and if I enjoy the taste then all the better. Either way I've never tastes a suedo meat which hs tasted anything like real meat.

Answer 10

I eat the 'suedo meat' for one reason - it is QUICK!

I work a full time job - don't have anyone that is going to be cooking for me when I get home from work.

I live on an acre of land that I have to care for and maintain - that takes time to take care of.

I have two rescue dogs that I have to care for - walk, bathe, brush - - not to mention assorted birds and fish.

Also - let us not forget housework - washing, cleaning, dusting, laundry - all that goes with running a home.

Since I am single - I actually do go out once in a while.

As to why some and don't eat honey - personal conviction upon the individual, personal choice.

Answer 11

The point is that it's not meat and not fur.  Period.  Nothing had to die for my Boca burger.  Besides that, we are not pretending to eat meat..I could care less if everyone knew my Boca was made of soy.

Answer 12

you're confusing vegans and vegetarians first of all. Vegetarians = no meat. Honey = not meat. Thank you

Secondly, some people against fur wear fake fur because they like how it looks but they don't like supporting the industry. Just as vegetarians such as myself are vegetarian (you're gonna be shocked here) in fact NOT TO GET ATTENTION! Gasp! We actually have real reasons like not supporting the cruelty of the meat industry. So basically I don't give a rat's *** what people think when I eat fake meat. It tastes alright and its pretty good for me, depending on brand.

Answer 13

Heya

I totally agree with you , i am a lacto vegetarian , i dont eat meat , eggs , fish or milk. I cannot stand qworn , It scares me incase it is real meat and they just label it fake. I know that this isnt the case its just so meat like it makes me feel sick. The texture is like meat and if i chew on it it makes me feel sick because it reminds me of meat. eurghh. The only fake thing i eat , well drink , is soya milk. I have to have soya milk because i have to have cereal in the morning lol. But soya meat is just horrible and vile. =] x*x

Answer 14

This is the same troll question that bored teenagers have been asking on here everyday.  I don't feel as if I need to dignify it with an answer.  I will leave it at this: It's none of your business.

I come on here to help other vegetarians and get help from them.  I don't come on here to explain every move I make to some kid who can't do the research for themselves.

You shouldn't talk.  You don't do anything to help anyone but yourself.  Think about that while your eating your burger later on.  www.meat.org.

My fake meat doesn't cause suffering.  It's totally different.

Answer 15

#1.Because vegatarians and vegans don't stop eating the food because of the taste but more because they don't support torturing and killing those animals for our food. So if they can get a similar taste and feel of meat without using meat then I can't see why not. Its also a way of getting the nutrients you need.

#2.With the fur thing I guess some people like the look but don't support what they do to the animals to get it so they use fake fur.

#3.Vegetarians can eat honey if they chose because its not meat, vegans don't eat honey because it is an animal product, the bees are crushed, killed and smoked to get the honey.

I understand why you ask these things, I have asked myself the same things before. I hope I helped =)

Answer 16

One reason ‘mock meats’ are popular is probably that they make it easier for a new vegetarian or vegan to make the change from eating meat. And they're fine for people who may have a moral objection to eating meat, but who enjoyed and miss it.

But mostly it's just  that they’re different tastes and textures, and who doesn’t crave that in their diet?

And they don't resemble meat - sausages, patties, rashers etc are just forms, usually made from meat, but they can be made from seitan, tofu etc. They’re not necessarily meat substitutes, but ways of processing and shaping food. You never saw a round flat animal, after all, or a sausage shaped one. They're just convenient shapes to form the centrepiece to a meal.

Meat ‘substitutes’ aren’t the healthiest or cheapest food you can eat, but if you’re feeling lazy and uninspired they’re fine now and then And some of them do taste good.

I went vegetarian in 1969 (I'm vegan now) and for many years there were no fake meats - just TVP chunks which were disgusting. So I lived for many years without them, and could do so again. But I like some of them, so I'll continue to eat them.

For the life of me I can't see the problem, or the contradiction, in being vegetarian or vegan and eating something that's - well, not meat.

Answer 17

They choose not to eat animals. Those products aren't animals. Pretty simple stuff. They simply don't wish to cause suffering. Same with vegans and fur. Furs look nice (on women, men wearing fur creeps me out...LOL) so they can look nice without harming animals to do so.

I think you must imagine that it's important for these people to ensure that everyone knows their beliefs but that's not really true. Most are satisfied with doing what they do for their own peace of mind.

Answer 18

It depends on the vegetarian. Some just think meat is unethical, and some don't like the taste of meat. I think the tofurkey is for the ones who just don't like the way meat is killed. Also, these alternatives usually contain the protein or iron that is absent from their meat-free diets.

Answer 19

If it's not animal flesh/secretions, what does it matter what we eat?  I'm vegan because I'm opposed to animal exploitation, not because I'm opposed to the taste of bacon.

That said, I don't eat fake meats - I don't like them.

And sure, eating honey is cool if you don't mind eating bee vomit.  Do you eat dog vomit, too?

Answer 20

to get the protein we need ?

and sometimes people miss the taste so they can eat it this way but they're still not going against their morals

Answer 21

Well, my sister is a vegetarian and she occasionally eats Boca burgers or tofu chicken. Mostly she eats it because she misses the taste of meat and the tofu provides great protein - it's difficult to get enough protein when you're a vegetarian. She refuses to eat real meat because it's against her morals. Hope this answered your question.

Answer 22

Veg*ns avoid animal products usually for ethical reasons, not because they don't like the taste?!  There's nothing wrong with eating fake meats, especially when it comes to cooking for meat-eating friends, it helps to dispel the myth that we only eat twigs and leaves!



As for fur, I would not buy even fake fur because these days it is impossible to tell whether it is actually fake - China skin animals ALIVE and leave them to die of shock slowly and painfully, this makes the fur cheaper than some fake furs and is then used by unscrupulous manufacturers who market it as fake.

Honey is a grey area, some vegans will eat it, some won't either because they are not conviced of the suffering involved or don't care about insects.

Answer 23

Just because a person chooses to be a vegetarian DOES NOT mean that they don't like the taste of meat.  And eating the fake meat hurts NO ANIMALS.

We don't "pretend to eat meat", this is just silly.  Garrr, if we ate meat then more animals would die to feed us, that is why we eat the fake meat and not just go ahead and eat real meat.

I don't understand why people have a hard time understanding why people eat fake meats if they are a vegetarian/vegan.

Answer 24

When I first became a vegetarian, I felt the same way.  I didn't want real meat, and I didn't want fake meat.  But there's nothing wrong with a vegetarian eating fake meat, whether they are vegetarian for health or animal-cruelty reasons.

I started eating Boca burgers when I got invited to a friend's house for a barbeque and I wanted something quick and easy.  And it turned out, they are delicious.

You have to realize that it's not imitation meat, but rather a meat substitute.  It's really useful in situations where the meal is centered on meat, like barbeques and Thanksgiving dinner.

Now as far as honey goes, vegans usually don't eat it.  Vegans don't eat any animal products including dairy and eggs.  Regular vegetarians may eat eggs and dairy, and honey.

Answer 25

People eat what they like, often, because it tastes good. In that sense, it doesn't matter if it is real meat or not. Even real meat is usually processed, flavored, and topped with condiments/sauces so it doesn't taste like what it would just ripped off an animal and cooked (heck, even the cooking flavors it differently).

The important part is, no matter what it looks like, it tastes good and does not cause suffering to an animal/is not animal flesh. By this logic, if someone invented a type of sandwich with say, cheese and deli meat on it, a person who comes along and says "hey that's a good idea! but I don't quite like the appeal of it" and makes a *sandwich* with other things on it, they are being unoriginal or attempting to live some fake lifestyle? It seems that is the same logic you are using here- only difference being that not only is taste the preference but source as well which somehow makes people think differently upon the choice.

Why do you cook your foods? That's not how it is naturally- are you trying to do something odd? No...you're doing something that tastes good and perhaps, makes you feel more comfortable about eating it (as raw meat can be dangerous to consume). This is no different.

It's about taste for the most part. Even non-vegetarians like veggie burgers. And who cares? Why are you putting so much worry into this? If you put this much concern into your own diet and self esteem, you probably wouldn't be here in the first place- not trying to be mean.

Answer 26

I'm not a vegetarian, but the answer to your question is simple:  Protein.  People have to have it, and it is very hard to get in high amounts outside of meat.  Tofu, soy, etc, all provide protein that vegetarians need badly to maintain their health.  Man cannot live on broccoli alone.

Answer 27

majnun99, piscespets, lo_mcg, and la vie boheme got it right on.

it's not meat...

it's not causing suffering or death...

we do NOT "pretend" that it's meat...

you could have easily researched this...

and lastly....it's not your problem.

by the way, "regular" vegetarians ARE lacto-ovo vegetarians.....that is the most common type according to the vegetarian society (www.vegsoc.org).  vegetarians that don't eat eggs, dairy, or honey are vegans.

Answer 28

Who cares? If it isn't really made of meat what difference does it make?

Why do meat eaters eat something called hot dogs when they won't eat dog meat?

Why do they eat "buffalo wings" when they aren't really made from buffaloes (which don't have wings anyway)?

You can knock me down.

Step on my face.

Slander my name all over the place.

You can do anything you want to do.

But don't step on my blue suedo shoes.  

(Hmmm, that extra syllable ruins the original pentameter.)

Learn to spell or use the "check spelling" option. I'm not very good at math, so I use a calculator.

Sorry for being mean; but these questions get asked here every day.

Uh uh, bee puke, stay off of my shoes

Answer 29

It all seems more of a cultural conditioning as well as the life style. I always mention to questioners that they need to learn to cook and not attempt to live completely on processed foods. The TV dinner mentality extends to vegan/ vegetarian lifestyles. We attempt to gain more time in our busy lives in pursuit of culture. Foods need to be prepared form single ingredient fresh products that are combined in recipes at home. When we give up steak that means we give it up, not reincarnate it's spirit in the guise of tofu. I am 52 now. When I was a teen my Mother showed me how to cook and she had all my Grandmothers recipes. Those I'm sure came from a time that predates even her. These are immortal foods for immortal people. How long will you live on TV dinners and processed meals in which altered soy proteins are replacing those foods that human kind has evolved to eat. Before your aging family members take their recipes to the grave, you really need to ask them; "How do you cook?" As for honey, it is a great source of more complex sugars than deadly white. There are not many white foods that are safe to eat in any quantity. White = processed.

As a PS, fur is tacky and processed fur is like polyester suits. Fibers that resemble fur and are used as insulation in garments serve that purpose but in my opinion, imitation fur is not a style one needs to embrace. Kind of laughable on a whole lot of levels.