'Fake' Vegetarians

[aquarius moon]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2862197/Why-vegetarian-really-just-phase-84-eating-meat-just-three-months.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Really sad that this has become a 'phase' or just a trend.

When I became vegetarian it wasn't about following the latest fad. It was because I am devoted to all animals and therefore found it hypocritical to eat them. And despite what the article says, I haven't once had the urge to detract or regret my decision.

Real vegetarians think the same as me. Pretend ones that are not giving up meat/fish for the right reasons, only because it's fashionable obviously need educating.

And how can a passionate animal lover really not be able to resist a bacon sandwich? It's made from a pig!

You can buy Quorn meat-free bacon in Sainsbury's. It may not taste the same but your conscience will be clear.

'Fake' vegetarians are clearly not animal lovers.

[Jessie]

I'm vegetarian because I don't want to eat something dead. Freaks me out and makes me feel sick and v personal to me. Does this mean that I'm not a 'real vegetarian'? Massive assumptions in the OP. but then I have no problems with others eating meat.

[Jessie]

Ps have been veggie for 30 years now

[aquarius moon]

Jessie, you are a 'real' vegetarian, same as me.

My post was about the Daily Mail article (link above) about people that become vegetarian for a few weeks or months, depending on how long the trend lasts or how long they can last without a bacon sandwich.

[Otta]

Shouldn't you just be pleased they're not eating animals, whatever the reason?

My wife has been vegetarian for 30 years, but says she still misses bacon sarnies.

[Jah Lush]

You can call it a lifestyle choice if you must. I'm not trying to be trendy and I'm certainly no fake. I'm just glad I don't read the fooking Daily Mail.

[Blah Blah]

I became vegetarian about ten years ago because I don't like the industrial ways in which animals are processed for meat (so I guess on priciple). Prior to that I ate meat but have always cared about animals, so I don't agree that a person can't care about animal welfare and eat meat at the same time. Many meat eaters for example will only eat meat reared in ethical ways.

The article makes no effort however to understand why people giving up something they previously enjoyed relapse when surrounded by the stuff they are trying to give up. It takes will power and discipline to change anything that is entrenched in a persons life and food is no different. We are raised (unless our parents are vegetarian) as meat eaters. Most pubs/ restaurants (unless vegetarian) cater very poorly for vegetarians. Some of the nicest food I've ever eaten is vegan, but you have to go out of your way to find it. There is so little that promotes vegetarianism that it is a constant effort for some people. So I get why people relapse, and I think the OP is being a bit judgemental and unfair.

[Millhaven]

"You can buy Quorn meat-free bacon in Sainsbury's. It may not taste the same but your conscience will be clear."

What is the point of that?

[aquarius moon]

Millhaven Wrote:

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> "You can buy Quorn meat-free bacon in Sainsbury's.

> It may not taste the same but your conscience will

> be clear."

>

> What is the point of that?

Because you can have a bacon sandwich without eating a pig!

[Millhaven]

But you just said it doesn't taste the same which renders the this option as pointless. We don't eat meat because we hate animals we eat meat because we like the taste. I think eating pretend meat is more like being a pretend veggie than those that fall off the veggie wagon.

[Alan Medic]

She said it may not taste the same Millhaven not it doesn't.

[Millhaven]

Yeah, and?

[Alan Medic]

....and if it did taste the same how would you know the difference?

[Horsebox]

It's not really an issue for anyone except evangelical vegetarians.

If people go veggie for a while and then start eating meat again because they miss it then there's not much can be done about that, really.

And to say you can have a bacon sandwich without eating a pig is just ridiculous.

[edcam]

I was a vegetarian for 10 years. Thankfully I'm over it now.

[Millhaven]

Horsebox Wrote:

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> It's not really an issue for anyone except

> evangelical vegetarians.

>

> If people go veggie for a while and then start

> eating meat again because they miss it then

> there's not much can be done about that, really.

>

> And to say you can have a bacon sandwich without

> eating a pig is just ridiculous.

Exactly!

[Alan Medic]

You still didn't answer my question.

[DulwichFox]

I was vegetarian back in the 70's My then partner and many of my friends were vegan.

I was veggie for about three years so more than just a fad.

IMHO eating meat substitutes shows a desire to eat something that resembles the real thing.

Well it was for me. Sausmix sausages that you made yourself. No ready made stuff back then.

Tasted awful.

Quorn sausages are quite nice. Not tried Quorn 'bacon' ??

I did not like vegetables. Many vegetarians don't eat many vegetables and rely on meat substitutes.

I know Aquarius Moon has stated this in a previous thread.

I got round this by eating vegetable/mushroom Biryanis with Phal hot vegetable side dish.

Virtually every day. Did not eat any cheese so apart from milk so I was virtually Vegan.

Being vegetarian and especially Vegan can cause serious health implications but you could fill

a book to explain it all and I simply do not know about the subject to comment further.

Its a complex subject and one that will always create discussion.

P.S I admire those that have the commitment to stick with it. People like Aquarius Moon.

DulwichFox

[aquarius moon]

Millhaven Wrote:

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> But you just said it doesn't taste the same which

> renders the this option as pointless. We don't eat

> meat because we hate animals we eat meat because

> we like the taste.

Bacon may not taste the same as veggie bacon to meat eaters, but I've been veggie for so long I've forgotten what it tastes like. So to me, I think it tastes similar to what I remember.

I think eating pretend meat is

> more like being a pretend veggie than those that

> fall off the veggie wagon.

What a ridiculous thing to say. Pretend veggie products ARE NOT made from meat!

[Millhaven]

aquarius moon Wrote:

---------------------------------------------------

>

> What a ridiculous thing to say. Pretend veggie

> products ARE NOT made from meat!

Er...yes. That's why I said pretend. I can understand veggie burgers/sausages but Quorn bacon? Bacon comes from pigs. So it isn't bacon as there is no pig in it. This also begs the question as to why your conscience isn't pricked by a non meat product being is labeled as one.

[Alan Medic]

Millhaven Wrote:

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We don't eat

> meat because we hate animals we eat meat because

> we like the taste, but we don't really care what happens to the animals so long they taste good on our plates...

That's what you meant isn't it?

[Otta]

Quorn mince is okay, the chicken pieces are okay in a stir fry. The bacon flavoured insoles are not okay, they are a feckin travesty.

[aquarius moon]

Millhaven Wrote:

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> Er...yes. That's why I said pretend. I can

> understand veggie burgers/sausages but Quorn

> bacon? Bacon comes from pigs. So it isn't bacon as

> there is no pig in it. This also begs the question

> as to why your conscience isn't pricked by a non

> meat product being is labeled as one.

My conscience isn't pricked at all because however it's labelled, the bottom line is that it's not made from meat. I made a prawn cocktail last xmas with fish free prawns. It looked and tasted like the real thing but was vegetarian. Hardly makes me a pretend veggie when a real prawn didn't pass my lips.

Anyway this thread isn't about fake meat, it's about people becoming veggie and not being passionate enough about it to have the willpower to stick at it.

[Millhaven]

Alan Medic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Millhaven Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> We don't eat

> > meat because we hate animals we eat meat

> because

> > we like the taste, but we don't really care what

> happens to the animals so long they taste good on

> our plates...

>

> That's what you meant isn't it?

Nah...I probably should have said earlier that I have also considered giving up on meat because of the way some of it is produced but I know I wouldn't get past the 2 month mark. And I would say that was being optimistic. I am very particular about sourcing and production but admittedly I could do even more.

[aquarius moon]

Otta Wrote:

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> Quorn mince is okay, the chicken pieces are okay

> in a stir fry. The bacon flavoured insoles are not

> okay, they are a feckin travesty.

They only turn into insoles if you overcook them. They only need frying for a few minutes on a low heat.