Why do vegans eat substitute products that look like meat?

As an argument against veganism and vegetarianism, you often hear "Why do vegans and vegetarians eat substitute products that look like meat?". This usually refers to meat-like foods, such as the Next Level Burgerthat are amazingly similar to the taste, smell and chewing sensation of meat. Whether burger, schnitzel, sausage slice or meatball. These vegan substitute products come in all shapes and colors - and the market is growing. But are they healthy and sensible? And is it perhaps even hypocritical for vegans to consume food that looks like meat?

In this article, I would like to briefly and concisely explain why there is an increasing number of vegan "fake meat", "meat without animals" or "meat without meat". And why these plant-based substitutes are not only eaten by vegans.

Why do vegans eat foods that look like meat?

Vegans have no problem with how meat looks or tastesbut with the fact that animals are exploited and killed for their own dietary habits, even though this is not necessary for survival. In addition to this conscious renunciation of animal products, veganism, with its ethical values and all its ecological and social opportunities, is an ideology that is also Convince non-vegans can and should. But we humans often find it very difficult to break out of your own habits.

And this is where products come into play that look and taste almost like meat, but are produced without animal suffering. These vegan meat substitutes are eaten not only by vegans, but also by meat eaters and vegetarians. This makes it much easier for them to switch to an animal-free, plant-based diet without having to give up the familiar taste of meat.

Even though vegans may be quite taken with these delicious, meat-like foods, they also see them primarily as a means of bringing about positive change in our society's eating habits. The substitute products take the hurdle to veganism. Especially for people who Veganism for unmanly because meat is avoided should take the wind out of their sails.

So if vegans eat meat substitutes from time to time, then that is anything but hypocritical. It merely confirms that it is important to them not to exploit and kill animals for personal taste sensations. And that their own way of life does not demand sacrifices is something that every person should strive for.

But are vegan substitutes also healthy?

This can only be answered with "it depends". Just because something is vegan does not automatically make it healthy. A look at the nutritional table is therefore highly recommended, as with all foods. As they are often produced on the basis of peas or soy, they are usually very rich in nutrients. But eating meat is definitely not healthy. For example, it has been scientifically proven that regular meat consumption triples the risk of heart disease.₁ The WHO even classifies smoked meat and sausages as carcinogenic.₂ Last but not least, the antibiotic residues in meat products, which are a consequence of the intensive factory farming lead to resistance to the drug.₃

Eating meat without killing animals

Actually, "Why do vegans eat substitute products that look like meat?" is not even an argument, but a question. In the end, this sentence rather confirms that people have not yet thought deeply enough about a meat-free lifestyle. And if you feel like you're being addressed, you should now link this to the article about the vegan life change. You should also take a look at these vegan documentaries to increase your knowledge of and motivation for the new lifestyle immeasurably.

Finally, answer this one question: When there are dozens of substitutes and plant-based dishes, when meat is demonstrably destroying our planet, endangering your health, starving people and causing animals to suffer, why do you still eat meat?

Do you have questions about the topic "vegan substitute products"? Then just write me a comment!

Stay sustainable,

PS: Not yet fully convinced of the benefits of a plant-based diet? Then find out all Reasons to go vegan.

References:
₁ National Institutes of Health: Eating red meat daily triples heart disease-related chemical (as of 08.01.2019), available at https://t1p.de/avcc. [07.05.2020].

₂ V. Bouvard; D. Loomis; K. Guyton; et al: Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat (as at: 26.10.2020), available at https://t1p.de/8v9e. [20.07.2020].

₃ Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln: Tierhaltung So viel Antibiotikum steckt in deinem Steak (as at: 30.10.2018), available at https://t1p.de/nj3p. [20.07.2020].