Friend or Faux? Why Having Vegan Meat Alternatives Is Good For The Vegan Movement

Several months ago I was having dinner with my close friend and his family when a conversation about Beyond Meat burgers came up. I was surprised by how strong an opinion his mother had on the subject, considering she wasn’t plant-based herself. “All those fake burgers are so bad for you!” she exclaimed. “I thought being vegan was supposed to be about being healthy. People shouldn’t be eating all that processed stuff!” I took this as an opportunity to discuss her perceptions around vegan meat alternatives, and thought I would share some of what was discussed with you here! Friend or Faux? The ‘goodness’ of vegan meats has been an ongoing discussion both within and without the vegan community for several years, especially now that vegan meats have become so mainstream. Everywhere from McDonald’s to your local Walmart now carries plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, with almost all fast-food chains now carrying a plant-based protein option of some kind. While many veggies and omnivores alike are excited about this rapid growth in options and popularity, there are also some common criticisms around both the products and their proliferation, most particularly around fast food vegan… Read More
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