Why do vegans eat food products that represent animals?

But, I would say that burgers are not the form of an animal, it's just a shape.

Agreed I think it is the tofurky, the tofu ribs, the fake bacon etc

If you've ever actually seen tofurkey, you wouldn't think that. It's a big round ball only resembling turkey in taste.

First off nothing against vegans or the food as I have best friends that are and I cater to them when they come to visit. So yea I have always thought it funny that hard core Vegans eat foods that look like animals. Like burgers. The whole Morning star brand. Fakin bacon etc. Am I the only one that thinks that's funny?

Some people find it easier to transition to vegetarians by eating fake meats because it makes meal planning easier (whatever helps I say.) I used to keep things like that around for when I was being lazy and didn't feel like making food from scratch. (It's easier to stick a veggie burger in the toaster oven for 6 minutes than to cook rice and beans for half an hour). Most of the fake meats contain milk and eggs so I don't buy the prepackaged ones anymore unless it's clearly labeled vegan, then only rarely. But I do it purely out of laziness, not out of meat nostalgia. I sometimes get spinach nuggets that are shaped like stars, but it's not because I wish I was eating a star, although that would be awesome.

They don't represent animals, they represent forms of food that most people grow up eating and are used to.

I'm not vegan, and I was vegetarian for only 2 days in 7th grade (ultimately, I could not give up bacon), but I agree with the above; I've always thought that these imitation meats are to appease people who have chosen a vegetarian or vegan diet for ethical/health reasons, but grew up with meat. Especially with the burgers and hot dogs, I can totally understand how no one would want to be left out of something that is part of the great North American BBQ experience.

Personally, when I eat vegetarian meals (which I have nothing against, despite being a carnivore), I'm not fond of "fake meat" (my one exception being anything prepared by Jean's Vegetarian Kitchen, a Thai/Malay restaurant in my old 'hood in Toronto, ON). I think some of the best vegetarian and vegan dishes have been developed from the world's long-time vegetarian cultures, such as from India, as they stand on their own merits, without needing to compare to similar meat-based dishes.

I thought it was going to asking about animal crackers or pineapples shaped like turtles....

Is it not marketing to make it look similar to those not noticing?

A few years ago, we took a group on a mission trip with a vegan. As a group, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe. She got her food first, and said it was the best hamburger she had eaten in years. Sadly, after about half gone, the wait staff came up and said there was a mistake, and they now had the non-meat burger. Needless to say, everyone (including her) had a good laugh.

She mustn't have been a strict vegan, all the vegans I know would projectile vomit & probably sue the place...

As there aren't sustainable vegan societies with their own food cultures what you're observing is dropouts from a carnivore culture without the imagination to come up with their own foods, so they emulate the foods they crave. LOL.

I object to vegans and vegetarians attending barbecues. Go graze somewhere else.

Firstly, I think anyone is entitled to ask any question they like on here.

If you think it's ridiculous then you can just ignore it.

But, I would say that burgers are not the form of an animal, it's just a shape.

This too... a burger is just a round patty of meat. Why can't a vegan eat a round patty of tofu/beans in a bun too?

Lots of vegans become so because they don't want to eat animals/animal products due to the environmental effects of meat consumption and the cruelty the animal faces before they are slaughtered. Many do not choose to stop eating meat and animal products because they just don't enjoy the taste or texture of it. Thus, the want to supplement it in their diet.

Cause some vegans want to.

I'm not really a cannibal, but I shape all of my meat products into what looks like a human baby. It just tastes better that way.

Okay, you win the thread. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

You wouldn't say that if you saw my dinner tonight. I had some extra meat left over, so this time I shaped it into a baby eating another baby eating a boston terrier. Delicious.

That's some creative baby makin' right there. But, which end do you start eating first?

Please say toes first. I always eat chocolate bunnies that way.

why do carnivores eat cabbage?

^^ Love it

I'm definitely NOT vegan. But I do use vegetarian products such as Quorn to replace meat often. I tend to feel a little guilty about eating meat lately (A certain documentary I saw on meat kind of put me off for a long time) and I am use to eating it. Just because I don't want to eat an actual animal doesn't mean I don't enjoy the taste (most products taste very similar). So it's pretty much just a replacement for meat without the guilt. I have nothing against the shape and what it resembles, I just enjoy the taste. I mean why not? As already mentioned why do meat eaters like fruit?

Then again my comments probably invalid since I'm not vegan and do enjoy meat sometimes.

Don't remember the last time I saw sausage and burger 'shapes' running round a field . I sometimes wonder why a lot of meat eaters hate the idea of a hog roast rotating on a spit , and prefer their dead flesh pre cut and vacuum packed on a supermarket shelf . ....Just saying.

I think a better question is: If Vegans & Veggies care so much about animals, why are they eating their food? ;D

You assume that all of us became so because we care about the animals. Your assumption would be wrong.

You could argue that carnivores eat burgers and sausages because they DON'T resemble meat. I can't think of many animals that come in neat little cylinder and disc shapes. I can't speak for all veggies but I eat them because they don't have veins, lips and eyelids in them

First off nothing against vegans or the food as I have best friends that are and I cater to them when they come to visit. So yea I have always thought it funny that hard core Vegans eat foods that look like animals. Like burgers. The whole Morning star brand. Fakin bacon etc. Am I the only one that thinks that's funny?

Burgers don't look like animals, lol. Neither do sausages, bacon etc But I suspect it is because some are vegan because of the health benefits?