"Fake" meat products for vegetarians, your opinion please

I relied a lot on the "fake meats" when I was a newer veg, but I barely eat them at all anymore. I don't like that they are still a heavily processed food and have a lot of salt, chemicals, etc. that I want to attempt to limit. That said, they are handy in terms of convenience and quick protein. Especially when you are out or visiting, it just makes life easier! When I eat them now I prefer the Boca Vegan Burgers or the Morningstar Garden Veggie ones - those are just my personal preference. Oh and Field Roast stuff - mmmmm. I used to limit myself to one fake meat a day & no more than that, now I have them once a week if that. But it can be tricky to get more protein. I tend to fall back onto eggs, tofu and beans mostly. I think as long as you mix up your protein sources and provide a good balance you should be OK. And a lot of it is planning too. If i prep the other meals, I'm like not to be stuck, hungry, wanting to just pop in a burger real quick.

Oh, also I like Amy's products a lot. The ingredients are pretty basic, not too much salt, and they're convenient!

And if you haven't already, try your hand at making some veggie burgers.. now that I've made my own, I far prefer the taste of those to the frozen box variety! Of course, it takes more prep, but it is so worth it.

I was straight vegetarian for 3 years, then turned into a polo vegetarian. I understand where you're coming from with wanting to have meat substitues, but just don't. When I couldn't understand the ingredients of what I was putting into my body, I cut them out. I would suggest cottage chese or milk or greek yogurt if you want to stay vegetarian. But eating chicken is the best thing that I've ever done to my body.

I would just stick to tofu or egg plant for a meat consistency, you can also make your own burgers out of quinoa and black beans and other ingredients, you can look up recipes online there are tons! I do enjoy Boca chic' patties though and they don't have a lot of calories while giving you a lot of protein. At least I only eat one and have it with salad instead of bread. Try to have portions of oats and chia seeds or and flax seeds with almond butter for mornings that gives you lots of protein if you're worrying about that. Millet, quinoa, black beans, chic peas, have a lot of protein as well as leafy greens, bet you must know that. I follow a mostly vegan diet and haven't had any issues with protein or b6 vitamin deficiency in the past 5 years, so you don't need that much protein. I try to stay above 30 grams normally I go higher. Good luck! Yes lots of anti-veg criticism, so that means lots of support for cruelty.

I like Butler soy curls, they're like TVP in that you have to rehydrate and flavor them but they have a better, more chicken-y texture IMO. Not sure how widely they're available.

I have no issue with fake meats, I didn't stop eating meat because I didn't like it. I suppose it depends on why you're a vegetarian.

Wheat gluten, also called seitan. You can get gluten flour and make seitan yourself, no need to buy it precooked (way more expensive).

i eat the morningstar spicy black bean and quinoa burgers often for lunch. they're so easy, pretty cheap and portable so it makes sense to keep a package at work along with a package of sandwich thins to have in a jam. i didn't quit eating meat because i didn't like it, but more for ethical reasons. I do think it would be best if I could make homemade veggie burgers all the time instead, but I don't have the time and these are healthier than many other alternatives.

there is a great local company that makes/sells lentil burgers called "No Bull Burgers." I can find them in the Whole Foods here and Relay Foods sell them but I know they aren't national (yet). They are amazing, very tasty and the ingredient list is short and simple.

I've seen a couple of comments about the 'haters' and people who disagree, but either I'm not seeing it or a mod has removed it. But seems to me lots of people have been nice, supportive, and offered options. I want to do the same! I'm not a veg, but one of my friends is. She does eat seafood, so isn't that pescatarian? Anyways, she introduced me to her fave veggie burgers. I would like to second them -- Dr. Praeger's as mentioned by another poster! They were delicious, filling, and the ingredients list wasn't crazy. I don't remember the sodium as that isn't something I follow. But they were so so so good that even non-veggers gobbled them up. I wouldn't eat them for every meal, but for lunch or dinner, they sure would hit the spot! Lately, I've been having quinoa for lunch with two fried eggs. But you could do that for breakfast if you wanted. Just get creative and be willing to try new things.

Morningstar Farms Hickory BBQ Riblets, those were good!

Quorn is a really tasty vegetarian protein source (not vegan, it has egg to bind it) and it's basically just protein for a very reasonable caloric load. I'm not veggie but I love Quorn.

Frankly if you're not a vegetarian, your opinion on "fake meat" doesn't really matter. It's not the same as eating actual meat. I've been a vegetarian for 6 years now, last night I ate Quorn nuggets for dinner. Why? Because a. they're quick and easy to make after work and b. they're a good source of protein. Personally I don't find beans or nuts give me the protein I need, and beans in particular also come with carbs which I limit for health reasons. I don't crave the taste or feel of meat, but I do enjoy Quorn products (also Sanitarium Veggie Delights here in Australia are really good) so I eat them. Simple as that.