Why I Eat Fake Meat

So, since I became vegan, I'm asked a lot of questions by many people.  If you're vegetarian/vegan, you know what I'm talking about.  "Where do you get your protein?" "Blah blah blah FANGS?!" "But soy destroys FORESTS ZOMG, YOU MONSTER!!!"  Okay, some of those are more of "indignant statements."  Anyway, I'd like to address a question I've been getting for years.  Sometimes, people ask innocently.  Other times, it's more of a "gotcha!" accusation.

"Why do vegans want to eat stuff that tastes and looks like meat?!"

I did not become vegan because I did not like the taste and appearance of meat.  I was quite the little meat-eater.  At fancy restaurants, I ordered filet mignon.  For birthday dinner, I always asked my mom for country fried steak.  I still long for the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich at Carl's Jr.  I was never grossed out by meat or its flavor.  When I went pescatarian, and later, vegan, I did not crave meat.  I wasn't sitting around, wasting away, bruised and anemic, longing for a bloody piece of cow.  In fact, the idea of eating real meat disgusted me.  I had come so far, and never wanted to eat anything that caused death and/or suffering.  THAT was what disgusted me: the idea of eating something dead.  It's not the texture, juices, flavors, fats of meat that disgust me.  I am a vegan for ethical reasons first.

In other words, if I can eat something meaty that isn't dead, I will!  I'm not always in the mood for fake meat.  Some of it is pretty processed, and I try not to eat too much soy anyway, but in moderation, I will tend to a fibrous, chewy, meaty craving.  Should I feel guilty about that?  Like I'm misrepresenting vegans as people who are just desperate to eat like a "normal person?"  Like eating fake meat somehow says, "I am suffering here without meat, and must make do with the fake stuff.  I regret my decision!!!"  I don't think so.  And you shouldn't think so either.

I have also found some snobbery within the vegan community about fake stuff that is too close to the real thing being "disgusting."  Sometimes I agree, but I don't condemn others who love to eat it.  More power to you, peaceful, violence-free meat-lovers!  I do not think we should look down on imitation meat/dairy products, simply to prove a point to the omnivorous world that we "aren't missing out."  Instead, we should show omnivores that vegans can taste everything they can, while not hurting any animals!  It's a win-win!  Come on over to the vegan side, omnivores, and experience all the fake fried chicken, cheesy pepperoni pizzas, and juicy Gardein burgers you can!

Oh yeah, and vegetables?  They are pretty cool, too!