# This is the problem I have with Vegans: **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 10, 2010, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160 "2010-11-10T12:14:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/41 "2010-11-10T19:08:57Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > My favorite is the vegan/vegetarian telling you that their hotdog/cheese/chix’n nugget tastes “just like the real thing.” > > Sweetie, you haven’t had a hot dog in fifteen years - believe it or not, the soy dog isn’t at all “just like the real thing.” And soy/nut cheese - it doesn’t even deserve the word. Exactly, my vegetarian wife used to try and tell me “it tastes just like the real thing” and I would grimace at most of it and say, “well, no it actually doesn’t”. That doesn’t mean some of the substitutes aren’t tasty in their own right, i love Morningstar “sausage” and “buffalo Wings”. And Quoron “Chicken” is uite good, but it simply isn’t “just like the real thing”. Also, I don’t why folks think a non-vegan/vegtarian shouldn’t expect meat from a vegetarian. My wife clearly tells me if something is a vegetarian version of something that normally would not be, like a taco. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/42 "2010-11-10T19:19:27Z")
This is why Og created condiments. Drown in whatever the ethnically appropriate category of condiment may be. A-1, sriracha, worcesteshisteshetishihire, wasabi, mustard…makes any “vegan taco” into gooey yummy goodness. ---
**Author:** ![supergalactic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@supergalactic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergalactic)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/43 "2010-11-10T19:20:33Z")
Hey gang, like I said before, I’m not bagging on the lifestyle, or even the food itself for that matter. The wraps she made were dynamite and I polished off about four of em with extra avacado . My issue is that I get told it’s gonna be one thing, then it turns out to be something totally different. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Nene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/da6949/32.png) [@El\_Nene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Nene)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/44 "2010-11-10T19:21:44Z")
The wisdom of Mitchell and Webb : [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKTsWjbjQ8E) ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/45 "2010-11-10T19:35:10Z")
It’s a matter of truth in labeling 🙂 This is why you can’t call Ice Milk, ICE CREAM. If you serve somene ice milk it is simply not ice cream. An omlette has an egg in it. If it lacks a yolk than it’s an egg white omlette. A taco by definition is a tortilla, made of corn or wheat, folded around a filling. A collard green is not a tortilla so it fails to meet the basic qualifications of a taco. I don’t see the point in calling food something it isn’t. It doesn’t mean it’s less of a food it’s just different. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/46 "2010-11-10T19:50:42Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > This is why you can’t call Ice Milk, ICE CREAM. > > If you serve somene ice milk it is simply not ice cream. I think they _do_ call ice milk ice cream these days, but it has to be labeled low fat or reduced fat or similar. Gosh, I haven’t even heard the term “ice milk” in ages. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/47 "2010-11-10T19:58:52Z")
Now, see, if a vegan told me they were serving, say, steak, I would assume that it’s probably some sort of tofu concoction, or maybe eggplant or something, and not actually a steak, since there’s no way to make a real steak vegan. But if a vegan tells me they’re serving tacos, I’m going to expect a thin grain flatbread, folded over, and filled with beans, tomatoes, onions, etc. Even if a non-vegan said they were serving tacos, I still wouldn’t be surprised to get that. It’s still a perfectly valid taco. And if I had decided to prepare the dish the OP describes for dinner, if anyone asked me what I was making, I’d probably say something along the lines of “salad wraps”. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/48 "2010-11-10T20:12:24Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > You can make jerky out of vegetarians? Cool. 😃 They’re all grain and grass fed, so the meat is really tender and not gamey. I actually like Boca burgers, as long as I understand that that’s what I’m getting, and I’m not told it’s a hamburger. They plainly are not. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/49 "2010-11-10T20:59:42Z")
Given its your wife, I can only assume this happened because sometimes she does cook meat for you? If thats so I can understand the disappointment. Otherwise unless you moved in together yesterday, Im a bit flummoxed that you expected otherwise. Otara ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/50 "2010-11-10T21:05:15Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > This is why Og created condiments. Drown in whatever the ethnically appropriate category of condiment may be. Is steak a condiment? ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/51 "2010-11-10T21:49:36Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Is steak a condiment? If it’s not, we need to fix that STAT. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/52 "2010-11-10T21:58:18Z")
My vegan roomie made a rare share-able dinner this weekend called “taco casserole”. It actually did taste just like taco. 'Cept I had to put my own cheese and sour cream on it. I DID ask him “So, what’s in it?” when he offered for me to eat some. Mainly because I didn’t want to chow down on a bunch of super-expensive vegan “meat.” I’m not offended by the fake meat, I just feel bad eating a bunch of it while vegans go hungry (and broke). ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/53 "2010-11-10T23:07:19Z")
I sympathize with the OP on the “false advertisement”, But what you can do is trust your wife’s instincts on her creation of vegetable, starch and fruit dishes, but I think you must take it upon yourself to create your own meat dishes. Even though my wife and I are omnivores, I do spend more time paying attention to the meat portion of the meal (usually dinner) because my skill over the years of cooking meat, (whether pan or grill [we are even skilled wrt the oven]), I usually insist on cooking the meat because I have a better eye for cooking it properly (not overcooked or undercooked - Just Right!). I think you will enjoy eating meals with your wife if you made the effort to cook it on your own and you won’t get surprised like that again. She may be even happier that she doesn’t have to worry about how to “pass it off” on you as something it’s not. Good Luck. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/54 "2010-11-11T06:46:50Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > If it’s not, we need to fix that STAT. Is this the next best thing? [Pork floss](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2053/2275812542_273127b0de.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/55 "2010-11-11T07:24:43Z")
I agree with the OP completely. There is a perfectly good and accurate name for what his wife served him: a vegetable wrap. You could even get creative and call it a sunny-nut wrap or something. BTW it is not a problem specific to vegans or vegetarians. My wife once served me “stroganoff.” It was some kind of meat and sauce served over a starch, but it was manifestly **not** stroganoff. I actually had to explain to her that you could not just throw together any old combination of spices and call it stroganoff; that stroganoff had a characteristic flavor and generally agreed upon formula. The thing is, what she made was perfectly edible, even good, in a relative way, considering her lack of kitchen skills. But it was not stroganoff, so I was disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/56 "2010-11-11T07:50:10Z")
My husband once served me a “meatloaf” made principally out of walnuts (I think it was). Now, it was pretty good, but why not call it a nut loaf? Does that sound bad? There was no meat anywhere to be found. Something called “meatloaf” is just an abomination. Worse than “boneless ribs.” This is a man who, if you offer him, or even talk about, a martini made out of anything but gin and vermouth (and this includes a vodka martini)–well, the aftermath is not pretty. Although I don’t think he cares whether it’s shaken or stirred. What a hypocrite. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/57 "2010-11-11T11:18:38Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > My husband once served me a “meatloaf” made principally out of walnuts (I think it was). > > Now, it was pretty good, but why not call it a nut loaf? The substance of a walnut is called “meat” so _technically_ he was correct… ---
**Author:** ![BleizDu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@BleizDu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BleizDu)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/58 "2010-11-11T11:29:07Z")
> [@supergalactic](#): > > Recently, wifey asked me if I would like some tacos for dinner. You bet your ass sweetheart, and thank you for asking! What I was handed, however, was a failed impostor. > > It contained: ground-up walnuts, ground up sunflower seeds, small chunks of tomato (acceptable, but in levels nowhere NEAR taco-worthiness), avocado, and wrapped in a collard green. What kind of Frankenstein’s monster IS this? > > “Honey?” I stated, “I love you dearly, and you’re the shining light in my life, and although this culinary contraption is pretty to look at, it is not, I repeat NOT. A taco. This is the food equivalent of me calling my VW bug a Lamborghini Gallardo.” I dunno, if I knew someone was vegan, even more so if it was my wife, I would assume any stuff cooked by them would be vegan, whatever their name, just to be on the safe side and not be dissapointed if I was really looking forward for some particular non vegan food item. But also, I would never bitch at someone who has made me dinner, unless i’m ready to do all the cooking myself. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/59 "2010-11-11T11:56:11Z")
THIS IS NOT MEANT TO DRAW AN EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN THE ISSUES OR POSTERS Anyone else notice or appreciate the similarity between the “don’t call it X if it’s not X!” and related sentiments to some of the arguments against SSM? Clearly the steaks (heh) are much higher and clearly the posting here is mostly tongue in cheek (heh), but there’s an undercurrent of contextual bias and hey, labels and things _mean_ something. It doesn’t bolster support for anti-SSM or implicate any hypocrisy, but it does give me a taste of insight into a non-bigoted, otherwise apolitical person’s nose-wrinkling at the thought of SSM. A better understanding of the mindset or approach, perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160/60 "2010-11-11T12:58:46Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Anyone else notice or appreciate the similarity between the “don’t call it X if it’s not X!” and related sentiments to some of the arguments against SSM? Clearly the steaks (heh) are much higher and clearly the posting here is mostly tongue in cheek (heh), but there’s an undercurrent of contextual bias and hey, labels and things _mean_ something. It doesn’t bolster support for anti-SSM or implicate any hypocrisy, but it does give me a taste of insight into a non-bigoted, otherwise apolitical person’s nose-wrinkling at the thought of SSM. A better understanding of the mindset or approach, perhaps. Huh? Acronym Finder had like 50 definitions for SSM, and not one of them seem to fit what you’re saying. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-problem-i-have-with-vegans/560160.md?page=4)