SHOULD VEGANS EAT FAUX MEAT? | The Vegan Kitchen

[@caitlinsaunders2943]

Hi Gemma.. I'm a meat eater, but I absolutely LOVED this video!! What you're saying is completely true? It's so naive for people to tell you to eat "the real thing", this is just people who don't understand the choice you have made, most of the time they are probably just uneducated in the subject, but that shouldn't mean they should question your decisions! Great video, and I can't wait for more! Xxx

[@caitlinsaunders2943]

Completely true!! *

[@AmandaBicket]

I have definitely heard this before and it is frustrating. Eating faux meat does no harm to the animals or the planet. For many people it makes the vegan diet more do-able and allows people to continue eating similar meals to the ones they grew up with. I think when people make these kinds of comments, they are trying to make themselves feel better by trying to find something wrong with the way you are living. Kind of like when someone finds out you're vegan and they ask you if your shoes are leather. Great subject and video!

[@Anonymous-sy7or]

this was so real can't wait for more

[@tamsincookie5467]

Hi Gemma. The new series look great! A video with any tips for new vegans in social situations (birthdays, work events etc) would be really helpful. Thanks.

[@CurlyTots123]

I just love how rational and honest you are in these videos!

[@vegantidote8250]

You explained this so well! I get asked this question so many times, and people just don't get the point that veganism is predominantly about avoiding cruelty, rather than taste/texture etc. When I first went vegan it was predominantly for health reasons, so at the beginning I ate mostly wholefoods, non processed etc, but pretty soon after I connected with the ethical reasons and now I definitely class myself as an ethical vegan, and I loooooooove trying loads of vegan junk food/mock meats/imitation foods and giving these to meat eaters to try and show how easy and unrestrictive veganism is. This was such an amazing video, can't wait for the next ones! xxx

[@emmaellis4246]

Loved this video, Gemma. You managed to take my jumbled thoughts and explain my feelings towards the vegetarian and vegan way of life much better than I ever have. I feel like I'm better equipped to answer the questions I get on my food choices. Thank you! 😊

[@hollyexley]

Looking forward to more chatty videos- they are my fav 💙 Your 'Am I Still Vegan' video was part of my transition into veganism last year. I really enjoy your balanced way of talking about these issues. The question of fake meat is often quite a defensive one from meat eaters, I've found anyway. As a vegan I think it can be really helpful to admit that you used to enjoy the taste of meat/dairy- it reminds people that we've been on both sides of the fence, we've just chosen to opt out. It's much more relatable, it helps people understand our choices & might help them make the connection too. I used to think vegan cheese was made out of chemicals & horrible stuff - I think I was using this as an excuse not to switch over. It was fear of the unknown. A tiny bit of research helped me realise vegan cheese is just plant based cheese. Often as processed as dairy cheese, but less cholesterol, less fat, less cruelty. WIN.

[@emcgravy]

I think you articulated a lot of things very well Gemma, really looking forward to the rest of your videos this month. Also your make up looks great in this video (:

[@lovestruck-dl9kj]

i think since you told me that oat milk is the best milk for a brew, i had no further questions because #priorities but i absolutely loved this video. i think you're absolutely brilliant at talking about different topics that perhaps have several points of view or are a bit controversial. you're really balanced but seem confident in having a voice and an opinion, without it needing to pander or dominate. great stuff :)

[@tiahnwright5267]

This was so great! So succinct and wonderfully spoken x

[@KatieKDIY]

So well put Gemma, awesome video. loving that you're uploading on here more now, keep it up, your videos are great! xx

[@theindianvegan6494]

I loved this video! You made some fantastic points Gemma.

[@deehnufc]

Really enjoyed that video. So balanced and comprehensive!

[@autumnnite1803]

Yes, I really like this coz everything you said is pretty much what I try and explain to people. Another thing to add when being grilled by people on veganism is that meat really has a very bland, neutral flavour and is jazzed up via marinating, roasting and grilling by using herbs and spices to add flavour, which when they think about it are are all plants and vegan. New subbie x

[@taylorp0rk]

3 out of 5 of my household are vegetarian and i've grown up eating faux meats like quorn, linda mccartney etc. I never even realised it was an issue people talked about until recently. It's such an easy way for vegetarians to get protein, especially if you're new the diet and need something easily recognisable to replace the protein you were previously getting through meat consumption. In my experience, my mum didn't have time to come home and start making her own fake meats with nuts and veggies, so just popping to the supermarket to buy some packaged quorn was a very easy and quick way to make healthy meals.

[@Zahria269]

This series sounds like such a good idea and you basically covered everything with this topic. We always have fake meats in our house because it's a good source of protein and everyone loves the taste and texture. If people honestly asked these questions because they were genuinely curious then i'd be happy to answer. My only issue is when people do it as an attack on your lifestyle or to try and 'trip up' vegans. If you're not harming anyone i really don't understand why someone thinks it's at all necessary to pass judgement on something so mediocre.

[@Olfonia]

i love how you approach this question:) i agree with you! very well said! plus for me it's like: i don't even remember the taste of meat and cheese that much BUT i love being able to just create as many different meals and flavours as possible and i love savory meals, even without comparing it to the meat-version of it if it exists.

[@glitterspink88]

Brilliant video never thought about the shape of burgers and sausages etc it's a perfect explanation. I've only been vegan 6ish months but it's the best thing I've done xx

[@katiecupcake7317]

Great video. So rational and well explained xx

[@katygreenwich]

You are spot on! Loved this xx

[@KathiwithaK]

Very excited for this series! I think another interesting subject would be the struggles of vegan fashion i.e. not wanting to buy a good quality and expensive leather bag and instead going for the faux leather option which in turn is often mass produced under horrible conditions. Of course I am generelizing here but I hope you know where I'm coming from. I personally find this issue very difficult especially when you're a student and on a budget. I'd be very interested in your thoughts on this :)

[@KathiwithaK]

Also, sorry in advance for any spelling or grammar mistakes - English is not my first language but I'm trying, haha

[@ImmaBinks]

Your english is great! :) You should be super proud of being able to speak another language - I wish I could! x

[@KathiwithaK]

***** Oh thanks very much :)

[@Pipsanimation]

great theme to talk about! your channel is the best vegan channel on youtube!

[@LeonardoDiCapri-Sun]

This was so interesting and something I've often wondered about. I think the thing that confused me most was faux "sticky ribs" like I understand wanting to replicate that taste and texture but I can't imagine a vegan wanting to see that very obvious bone structure and rib shape if that makes sense. Loved the video, definitely made me consider some things I hadn't thought of!

[@Zahria269]

faux sticky ribs are literally rectangles? That's not the shape or structure of a rib. It's a rectangle.....

[@LeonardoDiCapri-Sun]

Yeah I get that but I mean when they sell them as a "rack of ribs"... like it very obviously looks like a part of a rib cage. But as I said, this video made me consider why vegans would eat faux meat so...

[@Zahria269]

Leonardo DiCapri-Sun i've never seen that, that creeps me out a little but it's great that no animal is harmed for it.

[@DLM440]

I've seen you comment on loads of people's videos I watch. It's the name that catches my attentions. I love the name and picture of Leo!! 👌🏼👌🏼

[@michellelockett6518]

I totally agree. I have found that I eat less and less of these, however I have discovered that my sons like some of these alternatives so we can have Sunday roast (Linda McCartney country pies yum) stuffing, onion gravy veggies, roast potatoes and no one is 'missing out'

[@nadiahoutama1086]

This was a brilliant video!

[@katinka4069]

Very good points and well explained gemma. Are you coming to VegfestUK London this year? Would be nice to meet you there.

[@hollypearl4493]

such a fab video! X

[@YasminGLouise]

I don't really eat that many faux meat products since I initially stopped eating it due to feeling sick over the thought of eating flesh. For me, I never really LOVED the taste of meat anyway but rather the seasonings that came with. However, as you said, it's only normal for us to enjoy different textures and whatnot, hence why I might occasionaly have a meat replacent product. It's not that all vegetarians and vegans hate the taste of meat but don't like what has to happen in order to obtain it. Anyway, great video!

[@LeRhythme]

This was great! The more these products are developed, and the closer they get to meat, the better. That way more people will eat them even if they aren't committing to a fully vegan or vegetarian diet. The whole world isn't going to make this change overnight, but every little helps. Even if half the chicken nuggets and chicken burgers that are eaten everyday were changed to convincing replacements, that could be great start. Both in reducing cruelty and opening people's minds!

[@astevens12]

LITERALLY AGREE WITH EVERY WORD!! I wish everyone would watch this video but then sometime I think meat eaters just like arguing to make themselves feel better about what they're doing....

[@LouiseT2405]

My question (for gemma or anyone else in these comments) is what on earth is a Raw Vegan diet and what is the point in it? Living here in the UK (where it's freezing 90% of the year) i couldn't imagine not eating hot cooked food. There really isn't anything like a baked apple in autumn or a bowl of hot soup on a snowy day! What's the thought process behind it?

[@LeRhythme]

If you ask me it's nothing more than orthorexia!

[@TaylorPiroli]

Hey! A raw vegan diet is exactly what it sounds like--you eat everything raw and uncooked! However, you can 'cook' foods in a dehydrator... Personally, as a vegan I don't like this kind of diet, way to restrictive and time consuming (as most recipes require overnight 'cooking' in the dehydrator).

[@EternalPinkPassion]

I completely agree. And it's so annoying to keep explaining this to some people who just don't want to get it. :( xx

[@Amaika16]

haha best line ever! can't we all just chill out, have a cup of tea and get along?

[@ThisTimeAroundwithJen]

great video thanks for sharing!!

[@_Justjigs_]

Vegan camembert?!?! Wow! Need this in my life!

[@LauraLopez92]

I always love your videos, I'm really considering the vegan lifestyle when I'm back in the uk and I use your videos for inspiration. My question is, what made you want to become vegan and how easy was the transition? Also how easy do you find it to get all the nutrients and everything you need each day? I feel like people always tell me it's impossible when I say I want to become vegan so I'd like to know! Go you for sticking to the vegan lifestyle ❤️😊

[@judidetta]

Hi Laura, I'm obviously not Gemma, but hopefully my experience can help you out! I think that the most important part is knowing why you're doing it (ethics, health, you name it) and sticking to it, since more likely than not you will encounter some degree of judgement/difficulties which can get difficult to overcome sometimes, specially at the beginning. Transitioning is not that bad as far as you eat enough (being underfed is the vegan rookie mistake #1). I find that I only craved meat and dairy foods when I wasn't getting enough calories and nutrients. A good tool to keep things in check is cronometer, which tracks your dietary requirements of protein, carbs, fats, minerals and vitamins for the day. Eating out can be the hardest part, but luckily more and more vegan restaurants (or places with vegan-friendly options) are popping up everywhere. Besides, there are some cuisines with a lot of "accidentally vegan" or easily adaptable dishes, such as Thai or Mexican. Also, I support Gemma 100% here: if you wanna eat fake meats, cheeses, ice-creams... Just do it! you're not gonna be less of a vegan because of it. Hope this is useful in some way!

thank you x

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

People who become vegetarian are very unlikely to ever start eating meat. People who become vegan are more likely to start eating meat. Vegetarians typically refuse meat because of an aversion to meat, while vegans still typically love the taste of meat. Thus, aversion to meat is more powerful than ethics of meat to not eat meat.

[@rossag4623]

I really agree with you. I went vegan last week and I am so happy!! I have been vegetarian for 7 months and it was fab but I always knew that I wanted to go vegan. I do eat fake meat sometimes because it is nice!!

[@NatalieLouise1234]

GREAT video!! :)

[@jumpersandjam]

I wish everyone could adopt your attitude. I have a few vegan friends who really go out of their way to make me feel bad for being a meat eater. They send me articles and make me feel guilty about good, which I think can be really unhealthy for me. Guess both sides get it - why can't we all just chill out a bit as you say :)

[@ccloves9866]

here here!

[@heidigardner3598]

Hi Gemma, what are you views on soya products? I've come across quite a view vegans/online articles etc that say eating 'too much' soya' is really bad for you, but I'm unsure of what constitutes 'too much' and find that this mentality can put people off eating vegan foods. Would be interested to hear your thoughts!

[@siobhangrace5381]

I have a question - you did a video on children growing up vegan but what do you do when they go off the breast if you know what I mean like the children can't drink breast milk until there 5 even though they still are advised to drink milk I saw on soy milk cartons that soy should not be used as a staple milk but what milk can baby's use? I know America there is soy formulae for baby's but it is very hard to get it anywhere else. I know I am young to ask these questions but I am interested in the long future. :)

[@thelivdiaries]

Hi 1st of all. loved this video so a few reasons ans one being I'm vegetarian but have been cutting back big time. My question to anyone who can help. should I be taking supplements when I go vegan. also had remarks that I'm how you be vegan when you feed your cats meat? anyone else had this? I'm not sure how to answer it. thanks in advance

[@TigerTT]

Theres nothing wrong with treating yourself to fake meat lol I love trying out new fake vegan meat products,especially Gardein's and LightLife,they are my two favorite vegan meat brands,aside from Tofurky. LightLife's bolonge is very accurate with taste and same for their hot dogs.

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

I will never touch faux meat or meat. It is just as disgusting and yucky. I don’t understand why vegans eat faux meat. Also, when vegans fail, why do they revert all the way back to eating meat? Being vegetarian is a happy medium. If they are going to revert, just stop in the middle at vegetarian.

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

Most people who ate meat and ended up in the hospital or nursing home ended up getting a stroke from broken off plaques, and they have one-sided paralysis, and they are stuck eating puréed food and pudding thick liquids for the remainder of their lives. Meat eaters deserve this fate. If you eat meat, your future will be fucked up, and meat eaters supply more jobs for dietitians and other medical personnel. If the entire nation became vegetarian or vegan, that would be bad for business, and there would be fewer dietitian jobs available. It is better for the majority of people to continue eating meat.

[@_Justjigs_]

Vegan camembert?!?! Wow! Need this in my life!