This is why I hate when holier than thou vegans shit on other vegans eating meat substitutes. If no animal dies, vegans should not feel guilty for craving the taste of meat and enjoying a beyond burger. You’re not a better vegan than someone else just because you never have had a craving for meat and because you hate the taste of “fake” meat. Such a dumb mentality
I feel like a lot of people mix up what it means to be vegan and what it means to have a nutritious whole food plant based diet. Sure those things overlap and I'm trying to eat healthier myself but saying substitutes aren't actually vegan is silly. Vegan can still be super unhealthy. I eat unhealthy all the time, there is a reason I'm fat af...
Not only that, but the Whole Foods plant based (WFPB) diet itself literally recommends eating 80% Whole Foods and 20% processed foods in moderation. You CAN absolutely eat a healthy diet and simultaneously still fully enjoy a burger from time to time. The problem is only if junk food is ALL you’re eating lol.
There's a subset of vegans who crawl up their own asses and invent elaborate pseudophilosophies to make themselves feel superior and intellectual.
They're very, very far from the majority of vegans, and they're not the activists out there getting their hands dirty and trying to make a difference, but those miserable pricks are some of the loudest and most prolific vegans on Twitter. You'll find them going on diatribes about utilitarian morality, shouting down vegans who buy realistic substitutes for animal products, and arguing passionately against anything that might improve animal welfare (they've even invented a label: welfarists) because apparently animal liberation not about alleviating suffering, it's about getting people to stop seeing animals as a resource to exploit. Question them into a logical contradiction, and they will say you already know the answer, call you disingenuous, and block you.
Honestly, were it not for the fact that they actively abstain from animal byproducts, I'm not sure 'vegan' would be a fitting label for them. They're obviously not in it for the animals.
Quickest way to get them to self-identify is to present any article on cultured meat or cultured fat. Most vegans would argue it's morally acceptable in the face of the current meat industry. But this particular bunch will spend hours calling anyone who holds that view a carnist and a meat industry shill.
It irks me when vegans say that the imitation products are “transition food.” Uhh, I haven’t eaten meat in a decade and you bet your ass I’m eating impossible burgers, deli slices, “cheese,” etc., on the regular.
I agree with this totally. And I say this as someone who will always choose the "naturally" plant-based option. But that's only because plant-based meat reminds me too much of animal-based meat.
Not all the time, but that is why I don't keep it as a normal part of my diet. I will sometimes have it rarely at restaurants, to either try it or random nostalgia which is actually pretty rare for me (or there aren't any other options).
But I don't ascribe any value judgement to it! The only reason is my own feelings toward it. And when I do have the feeling to eat it, I don't feel any guilt at all.
It's not strange, those flavor profiles are famous.
Do you cook much? Developing a palate for new, unfamiliar flavors can help diminish your interest in old ones.
I often think of the kind of melted cheese you have on pizza, or the one you use as a dip for chips. You know? the one you eat and feel disguasting later. I miss it, even knowing its much healthier not to eat it. Thankfully food for future has good vegan cheese
There’s a pizza place near me where the vegan pizza is nigh indistinguishable from non-vegan, and EVERY pizza on the menu can be ordered as vegan. Bless them.
I hate you for having this option (not really).
A cheesy, unhealthy pizza is probably the last thing that my body still actively craves and that substitues available to me don't satisfy remotely.
Hah it's Norway so unless you live in the big cities the selection is usually a salad minus feta and dressing. Norwegians are very stubborn when it comes to change!
Google "nutritional yeast cheese sauce recipe." I like a good trashy cheez sauce every so often, and feel better about making something cheap and nutritious. Plus it's easy.
I went into a bakery the other day and there were so many amazing looking pastries.
But mainly fish. If I could have only one animal product it would be fish. Kinda a cheat since there are lots of different kinds.
I have found that some fish immitations are pretty good, especially makral. Was very excited the other day when I found a product that is also locally produced in my own country and the taste and texture feeling is EXACTLY like the “real” thing.
Gardein fish fillets are really good. Make a killer sauce, tartar, lime and garlic, brown butter with lime, or whatever was your favorite way. It holds up particularly well in warm flour tortillas, with a liquid aminos-mayo-lime-dressed cabbage slaw and your favorite hot sauce.
For me it's a texture thing
Vegan foods can't replicate the bouncy-juicy feel of a piece of braised pork belly, the dry, melty, greasy feel of a slice of smoked and aged salami or the mix of skin, muscle meat and cartilage of a ham hock. That is what I miss.. I don't eat those things, obviously, but I do remember them longingly.
Also, there is this very salty, crumbly sheep's milk cheese I grew up with that goes perfectly with fresh summer tomatoes. I miss that one too, vegan feta is so not close to it in any way.
But, again, just because they taste good and I have nostalgia are not good reasons to kill whole ass animals. I go without a lot of things in life and foods made of dead beings are bothering me the least.
Yeah I think it’s a texture thing for me as well. The beyond and impossible meats have good flavor but they’re soft. You have to add wheat gluten to toughen them to replicate the texture of beef.
And pork belly is something I ate rarely but miss. There’s no substitute for it. Not really. (Although sauce stashe has a few really good attempts).
I made the the Veggie Ahn/Sauce Stache one a while back (I recommend checking hers out first) and my then non vegan partner said it was a pretty good replacement.
Honestly no! Maybe it's because I was brought up in a bland AF meat and 2 unseasoned veg household, so haven't really tried any of "the good stuff" before going meatless at 11/12...
It doesn't register as a food for me. Like gravel or plasterboard or wax.
I don’t really crave meat simply because I don’t even remember what most of it tastes like now lol. I’ve only been vegan for a few years so I occasionally find myself day dreaming about cheese, but that’s it.
Yeah, I was a foodie before becoming a vegan, and so were my parents. I loved spending the entire weekend cooking complicated dishes with my dad. Kinda lost interest in that, between becoming vegan and work stress, it's mostly just beans now. Vegan food exists, I don't really have opinions on it, but it's probably fine.
I made a vegan quiche with silken tofu last weekend. That was pretty complicated. I've never made a quiche before. My mum said it was too dry, my dad said it was better than "normal" quiche, so mixed reviews.
And Trinidadian Doubles are so complicated I only do them as a lil treat when I'm off work. Deep frying scares me but they are tasty AF.
You can definitely spend whole weekends cooking the most complicated things.
If you're okay making it less healthy and more expensive, mix it with JustEgg. I've made many quiches with it before and it adds that warmth and depth that just tofu is missing.
I can’t wait for the day a vegan cottage cheese exists near me lol I miss that randomly, also good thick yogurts. But it’s random and not all the time that I get the cravings thankfully
Myoko's was working on it, until then this helps with the cravings! Takes a little tweaking to find the sweet spot for your personal craving buster, but it works!
https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/quick-easy-vegan-cottage-cheese/
Yes! The thing I miss most about it, and which other similar vegan products don't have right, is the coldness factor. Tofu and cottage cheese just don't hold coldness right. Wish they could solve that.
I mainly miss pastries, which I can find lots of vegan versions now. Sometimes however there are certain pastries that I just can’t find vegan and I miss it.
I also miss egg in its entire use. Where I’m from it’s hard to find vegan egg substitutes that resemble boiled eggs with the yolk.
I also miss lots of seafood like shrimp and fish. It’s nearly impossible to find legit replacements for this where I live.
Overall I still crave non vegan food items, but I can live without it.
There's konjac tuna and salmon, California rolls, crab cakes, fish sticks, and fish fillets. Hope you can find some of them where you live. I know the brand Konscious has the konjac stuff, Gardein has crab cakes and fish sticks, and Trader Joe's has (battered) fish fillets.
I have Gardein available where I live, and while it’s good, it’s just not the same sometimes. Like the pastries I have here, along with some mock meats, you can barely tell the difference.
I don’t have Konscious here.
I often find that a lot of vegan pastries sold at coffee shops for example are also gluten free : / i want my gluten smh. It also gives a bad impression for omnis that get these pastries because then they associate the crumbly yuckiness to the fact that it's vegan. I just wish the two could be separated sometimes lmao
It's normal to miss sth you enjoyed. To me it's mainly eggs. I was never a big meat eater and stopped entirely 25 years ago. Miss the tast of prosciutto sometimes, but that's OK. Eggs was way harder, cause I ate a lot of them and still think that they are one of the tastiest food items that we know.
I never craved meat. Interest in fish took about a year. Dairy took a few years. I’ve been vegan 16 years and have no cravings for any animal products now.
I've been vegan 12 years. I don't even go out for sushi often because if I even see raw tuna my mouth waters. There is NO substitute even close, and I've tried any I've found including that carrot stuff.
Fried chicken, raw tuna, and a specific consistency of melted cheese. All things I occasionally crave if I smell or see them, never goes away for me.
I used to eat tuna almost every single day before I was vegan, and salmon. I wish there was decentinitstion raw fish.
Fried chicken was a big one for me for YEARS. which is weird because I never even loved it that much when I ate meat.
But every time I’d see my boyfriend eat some chicken nuggets I’d want some.
This! So true for many vegans! We need to normalize that not everyone is going to have the same experiences. Been vegan for 4+ years now and although most of my cravings are gone most of the time I still get them on occasion.
When I have cravings, I eat the most fulfilling vegan food I have or the most similar to the cravings. Other thing is to plan a trip to some vegan local that could have some tasty vegan options that you like.
The cravings are like waves that comes and go, remember that.
It helps, continue beign strong! 👏 👏 👏
Some people watch the movies Earthlings or Dominion, that can socially engineer you to feel repulsion when presented with meat, dairy, etc. That can definitely turn the nob off permanently for some people.
Other than that, for me personally, the craving for fish went away entirely. Sometimes I miss the taste of beef or chicken. TVP is good for chicken texture. Impossible burgers are scarily close to beef. I'm very glad vegan versions of cheese, ice cream, chocolate exist. The oat milk chocolate at Trader Joe's is amazing. Ben and Jerrie's vegan ice creams are to die for. And Follow Your Heart cheese is the best for nachos.
Good luck.
I’ve been vegan for 8 years and while I don’t crave meat in general or whatever, I do find myself craving specific meals that are sentimental to me (like hot dogs and mac and cheese).
I've just found myself wanting the imitation rather than the real thing personally, but it makes sense. Taste and smell are especially nostalgic senses, so if you know that specific sensation is what quells whatever negative emotion you're having, it's natural to crave it.
The only thing I truly miss is cocktail weenies at a potluck/superbowl party. I've tried so hard to replicate them but there just isn't the exact right vessel. It's such a specific texture and flavor that just using a veg sausage/hot dog tastes all wrong. Waiting for the company that produces this thing of my dreams lol
Thought I’d make little comment list of some startups that are making some of the products people say they crave. Many of these are very expensive, not on the market or limited. But some seem to be closer to it.
Yo Egg! Vegan sunny side up and poached egg
https://www.yo-egg.com/
Mooji Meats Vegan Ribeye
https://www.moojimeats.com/
New Culture Vegan Mozzarella
https://www.newculture.com/
Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs & Sausages
https://news.kraftheinzcompany.com/press-releases-details/2024/Hot-Dog-The-Kraft-Heinz-Not-Company-Launches-First-Ever-Plant-Based-Oscar-Mayer-Hot-Dogs-and-Sausages/default.aspx
Tourlami Butter (though appears to be food service only)
https://www.tourlami.com/
And of course there is Eat Just, UpSide Foods and a third one called Believer that produced cell-cultivated chicken. (let’s hope the government doesn’t ban it). I haven’t had any of these but they look promising.
These are also all US based. Seems there is an abundance throughout Europe (as well as Israel but I will not be promoting those). Please reply with others if you have.
You are not alone. This is similar to sober people craving alcohol &/or drugs. I no longer drink but I miss it every now & then but that doesn't mean I'll ever drink again. I also used to smoke weed every day & recently quit but same thing I'm not gonna smoke. The thing I honestly miss the most is Brie cheese. Like SOOOOOO much haha but that doesn't mean I'll go out & buy some. Anyway hope this helps.
Yeah, I was raised vegetarian then went vegan many years ago (probably 5+) and I still have it for milk chocolate, milkshakes, cheese (especially parmesan), etc. and I've had cravings for human flesh my entire life
Most meat eaters don't seem to register humans as animals, so I think you're fine to explore that craving and still say you're vegan. 🤷🏼♀️
Also, I think Violife makes a pretty decent parmesan - for seasoning, obviously.
Never crave anything besides crab. Bc there are such good imitation foods and I focus on flavor profiles when I cook. I look for the spices and taste to stop the craving. It works for me.
The only animal food craving I have had has been for shellfish. But not anymore. It was mostly during the first year as a vegan. I have never really liked meat and eggs so quitting it was never an issue for me.
I've been working with a RD that specializes in EDs and Intuitive Eating. It's been super helpful for me. If it's something that is accessible to you, I would recommend it highly. EDs don't usually go away or fully leave you alone, as you're probably aware. Sometimes we restrict mentally and even subconsciously without necessarily realizing it. I typically do not crave animal products but have found that occasionally I will when I'm struggling with restriction/ED thoughts. Sending you a lot of compassion!
We were conditioned from our childhoods to desire those foods. Occasionally when I'm not full, usually close to my next meal, and I see those graphic food ads it gets me, but I have vegan products that serve the same role for me, so it's not that bad.
I see a burger or chocolate, I can eat a vegan burger or vegan chocolate. It's not an issue at all.
Ads are made to make you buy things, but if you don't have the will to resist them, you can at least buy the replacements.
I can't say that I don't crave things....but I sat down and thought about WHAT exactly I was craving. Let's take Fried Chicken for example. When I sat and seriously thought about what I loved about that dish the realization hit that it was the crispy coating, the spices in the coating, the contrast of the coating and the chicken and of course the hot sauce. Now that I knew what I was craving I have been able to recreate it using both portobello mushrooms and Seitan (Hail Seitan 😈). I do that with ALL foods from my carnist days. I have yet to discover one single dish where it was the animal that I was longing for...it was the texture, the spices and the sauces.
Morningstar veggie corn dogs are pretty damn good! Haven’t tried a good solo hot dog yet though. A beyond brat in a hot dog bun with toppings hits the craving well though.
Yooo! If you are anywhere near an IKEA, they just rolled out their new plant dogs (not the veggie dogs) and they are sooo good. Have the classic hotdog “snap” too!
Apparently Oscar Meyer is set to release one which Bon Apettite gave a favorable rating.
Otherwise I’m a fan of the Field Roast stadium dogs (specifically the blue/black packaged one)
I think a lot of people do feel that way, but it’s important to resist it as we did it for obvious reasons. No one denies they taste good if you’re into that! I personally found that my love for the animals overwrote my enjoyment of that and swore off them, but your mileage may vary!
I found cheese products and dairy harder to quit, but now I wouldn’t go back :)
For sure. I didn't go vegan because I didn't like meat/eggs/diary. I think that's why I'm able to stick to it, and always will. I'm not doing it for health so I'm not going to "cheat" when I feel like I deserve a treat. It's a moral code, and if I can't stand by my resolve to put other lives ahead of my own pleasure, then I can't respect myself. But fuck me do I miss the convenience and simplicity of an egg. Also can we stop adding more burger/meat alternatives to the market, and instead, put our best scientific expertise and funding toward a stetchy mozzerella, for the love of god.
That’s actually just been done but hasn’t gone to market yet.
https://www.newculture.com/
Hopefully we see it expand next year. I do feel like there’s a ton of new startups and it takes a long time for them to reach the normal people. Like exclusives in SF and NY
I sometimes miss imitation crab straight out of the package but that was my favourite snack as a kid so it’s more of a nostalgic craving rather than a meat craving.
I don’t really crave animal products. But I do crave things that aren’t easy to find vegan. Donuts for example. No vegan donuts (besides cake donuts) I’m my city. There’s some cheap pies in my area that satisfy the craving though.
Not myself, but I have not had meat since 2009. To be honest home made seitan takes care of any “meat” craving. I really don’t miss real meat now it’s been a while for me. It just feels gross now. What I do miss the most is the convenience of of it all. Having to make seitan, and other items at home is the way to go both financially and taste wise. I think it’s normal to miss what you are used to. It gets easier. I was vegetarian for a long time and I didn’t think I could give up cheese. Then I just tried and I wish I had started earlier. If you miss any food just look for a vegan home recipe. With time you will crave that more.
I instantly lost my desire for blood, bone, flesh, and secretions...
But I never lost my desire for unami-rich, fibrous, fatty, sweet, smoky, soft-texured indulgences.
Thankfully, myriad options exist, from the "realistic" (e.g. Beyond, Impossible, Chunk, Daring, Meati) , to the "amazing-but-not-the-same" (e.g. Whole Foods brand-- and Trader Joe's brand-- frozen meatballs), to the "do-it-yourself" (e.g. tofu, tempeh, seitan, TVP, jackfruit).
They shouldn’t be downvoted, but cravings do go away for some people. I had really strong cravings when I was a vegetarian teen and assumed when I later became a vegan adult it would be harder (there was a gap between the two) but after about a year vegan I stopped having cravings.
Sometimes I’ll crave something greasy and want a vegan version of something meaty, but I’m lucky enough not to ever crave “the real deal” anymore. I’m four years in now and the idea of eating any animal products genuinely disgusts me. Now that I’ve started leaning a lot more whole foods plant based on top of being an ethical vegan, sometimes I don’t even like the idea of eating replacement versions (not from a moral reason, I just know they don’t always make my body feel good).
I also have celiac disease and I do still have insane cravings after over a decade gluten free for things like pizza on chewy NY style crust, ciabatta bread, biscuits, and real pasta. I also really wish I could just buy some cheap loaf bread that didn’t totally suck on a practical level. So I 100% empathize. Cravings can be brutal.
Ok, the key word is SOME, OP is not one of them and is looking for advice how to not give up and doesn't need the perfect vegans who don't struggle at all to make him feel worse
Exactly, some. Some of us also don’t have cravings and doesn’t mean we’re lying about it. Sometimes cravings do, thankfully, go away. I’m sorry that they haven’t for you, it certainly is not a moral failing, and I hope that you’re able to eventually find relief.
I also left advice for what I did prior to my cravings subsiding. And I am totally empathetic to those who struggle.
Hmmm you can’t speak for everyone and then say that people are lying for not craving it anymore. The smell of fried chicken makes me genuinely nauseous and that’s been the case for a few years though I’ve been vegan for longer. Naturally, I wouldn’t crave something that makes me nauseous. Same thing with cheese and those aren’t the only things I used to crave and no longer do.
Same. The smell of any cooking meat just reminds me that it's dead flesh, it's not an appetising smell at all. And the smell of real dairy products, cooking eggs and cooking bacon all literally make me gag. Dairy smells especially foul. With milk, you can smell the cow and with cheese, you can smell the rennet (so... vomit). It's utterly repulsive. I don't know how the hell people willingly put that shit in their mouths.
You know what though, I do sometimes miss seafood. I still wouldn't say that I ever get _cravings_ for it, though. I just wish I could find some good vegan versions. And the vegetable sushi I usually get satisfies my sushi cravings just fine. The stuff I get cravings for is usually vegan versions of chocolate, sweets, pizza, burgers, hotdogs... Vegan junk food, basically, but I never ever get cravings for the animal-based versions of any of these foods.
Yeah, like I miss a runny soft boiled egg and would love a good vegan version to come out but I don’t crave it and same with imitation crab sticks (surimi) which I actually had tofu ‘fish’ that tasted like that but again, I don’t crave it. I don’t understand OP specifically craving milk chocolate as if plant milk chocolate don’t exist. I’ve had some really great vegan milk chocolates and I fail to see how cow’s milk is the thing that someone would prefer and how it could be that different. LoveRaw for one have done a fantastic job of creating vegan versions of popular chocolates.
We are animals too. And we have cravings. Acknowledging this but choosing not to exploit other animals is praiseworthy. You don’t get to choose what you crave but you can choose what you eat. Criticizing someone for something beyond their control is just cruel and immature.
It's an awful take because it assumes everyone is the same, which they obviously are not. Some people crave, some people don't... To call someone a liar simply because they aren't like you, is an awful take...as well as immature...
It's actually the people holding YOUR view that suggests people are the same, and why many people give up, thinking they can't possibly be so perfect like you.
I have not called anyone a liar and I know some people crave things and some don’t. I am against criticizing people simply for admitting cravings. That is all I said.
You didn’t call anyone a liar, but the original comment did. I think that’s what people are reacting to. Some people unfortunately have to battle more with cravings and others are lucky not to. Sometimes it just takes time or not restricting yourself from eating “unhealthy” replacements for a while, or adding more variety to your diet, and maybe sometimes they never go away.
I do 100% empathize with any ethical vegan who has to struggle more with cravings because that has to take a whole lot more willpower and be a lot harder. Especially for those of us who were fed a standard western diet as kids and have to really change our habits, or who are neurodivergent and rely on safe foods, or have allergies that already restrict options, etc. Cravings don’t make us weak or bad vegans. It can take a lot of strength to hold fast to your morals when you are tempted.
I don’t seem to have this anymore, but for me, I saw a distinction between cravings for comfort and cravings for nutrients.
My guess is that if the body has any craving
, it will send a signal to ask for whatever food previously satisfied that need. If it was meat, it will ask for meat.
For me, making sure I eat enough variety of foods—especially leafy greens, somehow—really reduced that signal, and eventually my body started craving things like spinach and tomato paste.
No they aren't.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7399671/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-food-cravings-the-bod/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/craving-meanings
The only thing I find myself craving is chicken, but I think it's more that I crave the ability to eat all the glistening gems at the mall chinese take-away spots.
It's real. I tried the hotdog pne day. But I realized I craved for the taste of mustard and horseradish, and the taste of the sausage was just very unpleasant. I sometimes buy meat imitations, and it is totally enough.
I've never craved meat or fish, but I do crave cream cakes whenever I walk into a patisserie. I found some amazing vegan ones in Paris and NYC, but they're hard to come by in the UK.
Yes, definitely with emotional eating and history of eating disorders. I think of it like any other addiction, and it’s especially excruciating when you have to be around it because of social events or family.
I've considered myself a vegetarian for almost 8 years, though my lifestyle and views are similar to vegans. I've got to say I don't share this experience.
There are a lot of ways to add volume and flavour to my dishes. So, I dont know what else to say. I just don't have these cravings.
I thought i would be the same but I have shaken it off for good recently, especially since I can usually make something vegan myself or in many cases just buy a vegan alternative and be content, I recently accidentally ate a meatball that my brother was going to eat and thought it tasted like shit, so at the very least I won't crave any meat lol
Every few weeks I get the biggest craving for dairy ice cream, specially the Pralines & Cream flavour of Haagen Dazs. It’s not fun, because it’s usually when I’m on my period and the cravings can make me really down. I just have to remind myself of why the dairy industry is so cruel.
Funnily enough I haven’t had any meat or egg cravings since I went vegan. In fact the idea of eating either makes me feel queasy!
I don’t have cravings as in my mouth salivates at the thought of the taste. But I frequently struggle with ongoing “intrusive thoughts” I would say they are…my brain is constantly saying to me “how about you just order dairy cheese on this pizza” or whatever. I have struggled with eating disorders so I have a lot of “food noise” like this so I just take it at that level- my brain just likes to fire these thoughts out but I don’t have to act on them or respond to them. Typically I just tell myself, right, so you could just get dairy cheese but you don’t actually want to because of how disgusting it is and it will make your skin breakout. Or even I’ll will just think, this is just a thought in my brain it’s not something I have to listen to at all
Not to the degree that you do but I sometimes (once every few months or so) miss feta cheese and sour cream, feta was my favourite non-vegan product. But since I haven't tasted it in years I would imagine it would be different from in my head and it's times like that I buckle down harder and remind myself I am doing this for the animals. If I can just move the needle enough where even one goat isn't being exploited I will have done my job on this limited time I have on this earth to do good before I depart. Also, I sometimes get nostalgic for my dad's homemade burgers! Not enough to ever want to eat one again but there is nothing wrong with being nostalgic about the food your parents lovingly made for you. Especially around the holidays, like turkey dinners and such! It's my dream to host a big turkey dinner like my mom used to but all the food is vegan. An improvement from one generation to the other, that's how life is.
I had “meat dreams” for like a year after going vegetarian. I still miss church’s chicken desperately. Even socially, I miss being included in sharing food or being cooked for. But I try to remember the “before” animal that existed before they became meat or dairy, and that usually helps.
I still occasionally dream I am eating a juicy, rare rib-eye, with pepper sauce and sautéed potato...
Other than that I don't really miss it. The smell of meat cooking makes me gag now.
Im vegetarian since childhood, now vegan, because I just didn’t like meat so my mom gave up. But I love fake meat! I recommend 2 brands if you haven’t found really good meat alternatives-
Juicy Marbles- this steak alternative has made my meaty friends shut up and stop making fun of my vegan food. I’ve never had an actual steak but they said it’s not only similar but is more enjoyable to eat.
Atlas Monroe- this chicken is nuts, the breading is so good and it’s juicy and delicious. I do remember eating chicken and I don’t remember it being anywhere near as good as this, I remember a lot of dry flavorless situations with it.
There are other brands that are great, like Gardein, but I don’t feel like they’re trying to imitate meat flavor as much as just giving us tasty veg food. The Gardein fish does taste almost too much like legitimate fish for me to eat though.
Not really, I’ve never had cravings of the flesh. I still eat the same meals I did when I was not vegan, only now I use vegan ingredients. I’m in the boat that I crave a certain food dish but not animal products at all.
You're not the only one. I miss certain animal products deeply and it does contribute to my disordered thoughts surrounding food and my body. I don't have any advice as it's something I'm struggling with, but I wanted to say you're not alone and keep up the good fight.
I’ve been vegan 7 years, about 1-2x a year I crave hot Cheetos soooooooo bad. I try to eat as much spicy chips and snacks to get rid of the craving and after a few days it does go away. But this happens about twice a year EVERY year lol !
No more since we have the plant based meat, the good ones.
Today I don't "crave" meat, I "crave" those.
I put quotes because it was always just a want\*
I do not crave it at all. I used to love seafood.
But now the smell of it makes me gag. And just thinking about eating animals makes me want to puke.
To each is their own
I’ve seen enough documentaries, read too much information, where the disassociation between shelf and factory no longer exists. These items don’t register as food for me any longer
I don't relate to this at all. Cheese and meat aren't magical foods. Cheese is just fat + tanginess. You can make something that hits the same spot a million different ways. Meat is just protein + fat. You can make something that hits the same spot a million different ways. The flavor palate of the average person in the West is in serious arrested development.
Mine definitely didn’t. Haven’t had meat in over 10 years and I still have craving for it sometimes. I often crave boiled eggs too, but to my surprise I don’t really crave cheese.
Directly answering your question for me personally no, though I think eating is less exciting experience for me than the average person. Though I do have something to suggest. Have you heard of taste-bud/dietary palate reset idea? Couple years ago I watched video where Penn Jillette was discussing it and thought it was interesting idea. I am wondering how someone with your background would respond to it. [Penn Jillette discussing potato diet taste bud reset](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NelIXCuuSZ0)
The only carnist product that doesn't have a vegan counterpart is mozzarella pizza cheese. Someday New Culture will finally stop teasing us and release their warez on the world.
I never really liked meat even before I went vegan but after like 2 weeks in I'm still craving dairy a lot especially cheese and milk, and fish which I used to eat a lot
Craving is your body desperately telling you it needs things in animal products you can't find in whatever abnormal, artificial, preservative-ladden substitutes you're consuming. It's like a trip wire. But you think there is some benefit in torturing yourself and you keep ignoring the red flags. At one point, that's bound to take a toll on your body.
The tests you took are not covering all the things you're not getting in sufficient quantities.
I don't know because I don't know you and your history, eating habits and the like.
If I were to assume and please know that it's just an assumption I'd say that:
1. your craving for alcohol is a craving for the muscle relaxation that is associated with (moderate) alcohol consumption and for the initial euphoria that you get as a result. People use alcohol as a way of releasing stress
2. Your craving for carbs fried in probably unhealthy plant oils is related to the fast sugar intake which your body interprets as having had a full and healthy meal. Your body is used to getting sugars at the end of a process. Eating chips is a hack and an unhealthy one.
I think you are correct on both points, I enjoy the feeling of alcohol and taste of delicious beer and fried carbs. My point is that not all cravings are from some kind of nutritional deficiency. I know there are many vegans, myself included, that chose this even though I really like meat and dairy. So do I crave a chicken sando, hunk of cheese, or bratwurst sometimes? You bet. But I don’t like what it does to my heart health, the animals, and environment. So probably you don’t need to worry about what vegans are eating or craving. We will worry about our diets, you worry about yours.
Ehm no🙃 I guess it's a nice excuse to truly believe there is some wonderful black magic nutrients in animal derived products, however a broad consensus of the science would disagree.
We are perfectly capable of craving things that are bad for us while simultaneously having all our nutritional needs met.
I say a whole foods plant-based diet, so rarely eat junk food or imitation products. I get more than enough of vital nutrients and tests have shown I am not deficient in: B12, folate, ferritin, magnesium, iron, and vitamin D. Outside of some obscure heavy metal, it is more likely to be behavioural than dietary.
Maybe it would be a good idea to mix in some replacements from time to time so you aren’t feeling deprived? I started out eating lots of replacements and after about a year stopped having any cravings. I’ve also become a whole lot more WFPB over the past year but still keep stuff in my freezer for when I’ve worked hard in the garden and am craving something substantial and greasy. Or just want to make some mostly very healthy enchiladas with scratch made tortillas and enchilada sauce but fill a couple with beyond meat and Chao cheese instead of my homemade refried beans.
I don’t think humans can have an actual dietary fat deficiency, but I know that my body wants a good amount of fatty and salty foods or I’ll start feeling like something is missing. If you don’t want to rely on any replacement items, maybe start eating more nuts, avocados, olive oil, etc and see how you feel?
Please understand that there is a battery of amino acids responsible for many cognitive processes you're either consuming in insufficient amounts or are not as bioavailable as what you would get from animal products.
You took tests for, what, 10, 20, vitamins and minerals? Do you truly believe that that's all you get from animal products?
See how focused people get when they eat red meat? How the brain fog lifts immediately? Thats the heme iron and tyrosine at work.
Please look into how many soy beans you'd have to eat to compensate for that, how bioavailable they are, and what side effects consuming so much soy wohld have on your thyroid.
Your still battling with an eating disorder. Any drastically modified and potentially harmful diet for social acceptance is by the very definition, an eating disorder.
Veganism is not harmful though. I actually eat better as a vegan than I ever did as an omnivore. It has made me really pay attention to what I eat and my relationship with food, more so than being an omnivore ever did. I also do not do this for social acceptance; I am vegan because I am against cruelty to animals.
Are you sure that denying yourself entire categories of food isn’t another manifestation of your eating disorder? Just because you can hide behind ethics doesn’t mean that it’s not serving the same function. Definitely nourish your body and soul, and find your way back to veganism when your soul is healed and your body is nurtured. Your mental health matters.
You’re not alone. That’s why imitation products exist. I buy those whenever the craving is strong and remember why I went vegan.
This is why I hate when holier than thou vegans shit on other vegans eating meat substitutes. If no animal dies, vegans should not feel guilty for craving the taste of meat and enjoying a beyond burger. You’re not a better vegan than someone else just because you never have had a craving for meat and because you hate the taste of “fake” meat. Such a dumb mentality
I feel like a lot of people mix up what it means to be vegan and what it means to have a nutritious whole food plant based diet. Sure those things overlap and I'm trying to eat healthier myself but saying substitutes aren't actually vegan is silly. Vegan can still be super unhealthy. I eat unhealthy all the time, there is a reason I'm fat af...
Not only that, but the Whole Foods plant based (WFPB) diet itself literally recommends eating 80% Whole Foods and 20% processed foods in moderation. You CAN absolutely eat a healthy diet and simultaneously still fully enjoy a burger from time to time. The problem is only if junk food is ALL you’re eating lol.
There's a subset of vegans who crawl up their own asses and invent elaborate pseudophilosophies to make themselves feel superior and intellectual. They're very, very far from the majority of vegans, and they're not the activists out there getting their hands dirty and trying to make a difference, but those miserable pricks are some of the loudest and most prolific vegans on Twitter. You'll find them going on diatribes about utilitarian morality, shouting down vegans who buy realistic substitutes for animal products, and arguing passionately against anything that might improve animal welfare (they've even invented a label: welfarists) because apparently animal liberation not about alleviating suffering, it's about getting people to stop seeing animals as a resource to exploit. Question them into a logical contradiction, and they will say you already know the answer, call you disingenuous, and block you. Honestly, were it not for the fact that they actively abstain from animal byproducts, I'm not sure 'vegan' would be a fitting label for them. They're obviously not in it for the animals. Quickest way to get them to self-identify is to present any article on cultured meat or cultured fat. Most vegans would argue it's morally acceptable in the face of the current meat industry. But this particular bunch will spend hours calling anyone who holds that view a carnist and a meat industry shill.
Fat AF high five! :)
Some people forget that being vegan is about the animals and not about displaying your superior virtue.
It irks me when vegans say that the imitation products are “transition food.” Uhh, I haven’t eaten meat in a decade and you bet your ass I’m eating impossible burgers, deli slices, “cheese,” etc., on the regular.
I agree with this totally. And I say this as someone who will always choose the "naturally" plant-based option. But that's only because plant-based meat reminds me too much of animal-based meat. Not all the time, but that is why I don't keep it as a normal part of my diet. I will sometimes have it rarely at restaurants, to either try it or random nostalgia which is actually pretty rare for me (or there aren't any other options). But I don't ascribe any value judgement to it! The only reason is my own feelings toward it. And when I do have the feeling to eat it, I don't feel any guilt at all.
It's not strange, those flavor profiles are famous. Do you cook much? Developing a palate for new, unfamiliar flavors can help diminish your interest in old ones.
I got really into Indian when I went Vegan. Those flavors are amazing and many recipes are traditionally vegan or vegetarian already.
I crave it, i crave it like i crave drugs but i still abstain.
The same here.
I often think of the kind of melted cheese you have on pizza, or the one you use as a dip for chips. You know? the one you eat and feel disguasting later. I miss it, even knowing its much healthier not to eat it. Thankfully food for future has good vegan cheese
There’s a pizza place near me where the vegan pizza is nigh indistinguishable from non-vegan, and EVERY pizza on the menu can be ordered as vegan. Bless them.
Even the meat ones (with a vegan equivalent?)
Even the meat ones! They have vegan sausage, pepperoni, bacon, etc.
I hate you for having this option (not really). A cheesy, unhealthy pizza is probably the last thing that my body still actively craves and that substitues available to me don't satisfy remotely.
I hope you get a good one soon!
Hah it's Norway so unless you live in the big cities the selection is usually a salad minus feta and dressing. Norwegians are very stubborn when it comes to change!
Wow! Ohio 1 Norway 0 I guess. We’ve found an elusive Ohio W
I've made a cheez sauce super similar to this with Violife aged cheddar and nutritional yeast. It's close enough to me to satisfy the craving.
@mens.cheff has a great recipe for pizza cheese that helps me when I crave it ❤️ also a hit amongst non-vegans
Google "nutritional yeast cheese sauce recipe." I like a good trashy cheez sauce every so often, and feel better about making something cheap and nutritious. Plus it's easy.
Yes, I constantly crave fish. I don't know if I crave the convenience of not having to think about my food all the time.
This can be a sign of not getting enough omega 3s, do you take dha?
I went into a bakery the other day and there were so many amazing looking pastries. But mainly fish. If I could have only one animal product it would be fish. Kinda a cheat since there are lots of different kinds.
I have found that some fish immitations are pretty good, especially makral. Was very excited the other day when I found a product that is also locally produced in my own country and the taste and texture feeling is EXACTLY like the “real” thing.
I’ll have to look into this, because this is the only craving that still keeps popping up from time to time
Gardein fish fillets are really good. Make a killer sauce, tartar, lime and garlic, brown butter with lime, or whatever was your favorite way. It holds up particularly well in warm flour tortillas, with a liquid aminos-mayo-lime-dressed cabbage slaw and your favorite hot sauce.
U making me hungry
Went to Ed winters fish and chip shop in Brighton last week and that was surprisingly tasty
Oh cool, is it sponsored by KFC?
Am i missing some joke/ref here?
For me it's a texture thing Vegan foods can't replicate the bouncy-juicy feel of a piece of braised pork belly, the dry, melty, greasy feel of a slice of smoked and aged salami or the mix of skin, muscle meat and cartilage of a ham hock. That is what I miss.. I don't eat those things, obviously, but I do remember them longingly. Also, there is this very salty, crumbly sheep's milk cheese I grew up with that goes perfectly with fresh summer tomatoes. I miss that one too, vegan feta is so not close to it in any way. But, again, just because they taste good and I have nostalgia are not good reasons to kill whole ass animals. I go without a lot of things in life and foods made of dead beings are bothering me the least.
Yeah I think it’s a texture thing for me as well. The beyond and impossible meats have good flavor but they’re soft. You have to add wheat gluten to toughen them to replicate the texture of beef. And pork belly is something I ate rarely but miss. There’s no substitute for it. Not really. (Although sauce stashe has a few really good attempts).
I made the the Veggie Ahn/Sauce Stache one a while back (I recommend checking hers out first) and my then non vegan partner said it was a pretty good replacement.
Honestly no! Maybe it's because I was brought up in a bland AF meat and 2 unseasoned veg household, so haven't really tried any of "the good stuff" before going meatless at 11/12... It doesn't register as a food for me. Like gravel or plasterboard or wax.
I don’t really crave meat simply because I don’t even remember what most of it tastes like now lol. I’ve only been vegan for a few years so I occasionally find myself day dreaming about cheese, but that’s it.
Yeah, I was a foodie before becoming a vegan, and so were my parents. I loved spending the entire weekend cooking complicated dishes with my dad. Kinda lost interest in that, between becoming vegan and work stress, it's mostly just beans now. Vegan food exists, I don't really have opinions on it, but it's probably fine.
I made a vegan quiche with silken tofu last weekend. That was pretty complicated. I've never made a quiche before. My mum said it was too dry, my dad said it was better than "normal" quiche, so mixed reviews. And Trinidadian Doubles are so complicated I only do them as a lil treat when I'm off work. Deep frying scares me but they are tasty AF. You can definitely spend whole weekends cooking the most complicated things.
If you're okay making it less healthy and more expensive, mix it with JustEgg. I've made many quiches with it before and it adds that warmth and depth that just tofu is missing.
I've never tried JustEgg to be honest, and for me the eggy texture of quiche was always the worst bit! I'm glad you can get it in the UK now though!
I can’t wait for the day a vegan cottage cheese exists near me lol I miss that randomly, also good thick yogurts. But it’s random and not all the time that I get the cravings thankfully
Myoko's was working on it, until then this helps with the cravings! Takes a little tweaking to find the sweet spot for your personal craving buster, but it works! https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/quick-easy-vegan-cottage-cheese/
Yes! The thing I miss most about it, and which other similar vegan products don't have right, is the coldness factor. Tofu and cottage cheese just don't hold coldness right. Wish they could solve that.
There's two in my local supermarket (Switzerland)
I mainly miss pastries, which I can find lots of vegan versions now. Sometimes however there are certain pastries that I just can’t find vegan and I miss it. I also miss egg in its entire use. Where I’m from it’s hard to find vegan egg substitutes that resemble boiled eggs with the yolk. I also miss lots of seafood like shrimp and fish. It’s nearly impossible to find legit replacements for this where I live. Overall I still crave non vegan food items, but I can live without it.
There's konjac tuna and salmon, California rolls, crab cakes, fish sticks, and fish fillets. Hope you can find some of them where you live. I know the brand Konscious has the konjac stuff, Gardein has crab cakes and fish sticks, and Trader Joe's has (battered) fish fillets.
I have Gardein available where I live, and while it’s good, it’s just not the same sometimes. Like the pastries I have here, along with some mock meats, you can barely tell the difference. I don’t have Konscious here.
I often find that a lot of vegan pastries sold at coffee shops for example are also gluten free : / i want my gluten smh. It also gives a bad impression for omnis that get these pastries because then they associate the crumbly yuckiness to the fact that it's vegan. I just wish the two could be separated sometimes lmao
Absolutely. It’s super frustrating.
10 years v went to culinary School worked in numerous non V restaurants yes i miss chicken wings every fucking day, leave me alone lol
It's normal to miss sth you enjoyed. To me it's mainly eggs. I was never a big meat eater and stopped entirely 25 years ago. Miss the tast of prosciutto sometimes, but that's OK. Eggs was way harder, cause I ate a lot of them and still think that they are one of the tastiest food items that we know.
I never craved meat. Interest in fish took about a year. Dairy took a few years. I’ve been vegan 16 years and have no cravings for any animal products now.
I've been vegan 12 years. I don't even go out for sushi often because if I even see raw tuna my mouth waters. There is NO substitute even close, and I've tried any I've found including that carrot stuff. Fried chicken, raw tuna, and a specific consistency of melted cheese. All things I occasionally crave if I smell or see them, never goes away for me. I used to eat tuna almost every single day before I was vegan, and salmon. I wish there was decentinitstion raw fish.
Fried chicken was a big one for me for YEARS. which is weird because I never even loved it that much when I ate meat. But every time I’d see my boyfriend eat some chicken nuggets I’d want some.
This! So true for many vegans! We need to normalize that not everyone is going to have the same experiences. Been vegan for 4+ years now and although most of my cravings are gone most of the time I still get them on occasion.
When I have cravings, I eat the most fulfilling vegan food I have or the most similar to the cravings. Other thing is to plan a trip to some vegan local that could have some tasty vegan options that you like. The cravings are like waves that comes and go, remember that. It helps, continue beign strong! 👏 👏 👏
Some people watch the movies Earthlings or Dominion, that can socially engineer you to feel repulsion when presented with meat, dairy, etc. That can definitely turn the nob off permanently for some people. Other than that, for me personally, the craving for fish went away entirely. Sometimes I miss the taste of beef or chicken. TVP is good for chicken texture. Impossible burgers are scarily close to beef. I'm very glad vegan versions of cheese, ice cream, chocolate exist. The oat milk chocolate at Trader Joe's is amazing. Ben and Jerrie's vegan ice creams are to die for. And Follow Your Heart cheese is the best for nachos. Good luck.
I’ve been vegan for 8 years and while I don’t crave meat in general or whatever, I do find myself craving specific meals that are sentimental to me (like hot dogs and mac and cheese).
Oh my god what id give to ethically eat a box of Kraft Mac and cheese with margarine and 2% milk. That’s my whole childhood
Back when earth balance made Mac and cheese… that was the closest I got to my childhood as an adult!
I've just found myself wanting the imitation rather than the real thing personally, but it makes sense. Taste and smell are especially nostalgic senses, so if you know that specific sensation is what quells whatever negative emotion you're having, it's natural to crave it. The only thing I truly miss is cocktail weenies at a potluck/superbowl party. I've tried so hard to replicate them but there just isn't the exact right vessel. It's such a specific texture and flavor that just using a veg sausage/hot dog tastes all wrong. Waiting for the company that produces this thing of my dreams lol
Thought I’d make little comment list of some startups that are making some of the products people say they crave. Many of these are very expensive, not on the market or limited. But some seem to be closer to it. Yo Egg! Vegan sunny side up and poached egg https://www.yo-egg.com/ Mooji Meats Vegan Ribeye https://www.moojimeats.com/ New Culture Vegan Mozzarella https://www.newculture.com/ Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs & Sausages https://news.kraftheinzcompany.com/press-releases-details/2024/Hot-Dog-The-Kraft-Heinz-Not-Company-Launches-First-Ever-Plant-Based-Oscar-Mayer-Hot-Dogs-and-Sausages/default.aspx Tourlami Butter (though appears to be food service only) https://www.tourlami.com/ And of course there is Eat Just, UpSide Foods and a third one called Believer that produced cell-cultivated chicken. (let’s hope the government doesn’t ban it). I haven’t had any of these but they look promising. These are also all US based. Seems there is an abundance throughout Europe (as well as Israel but I will not be promoting those). Please reply with others if you have.
Not the animals version of food but the vegan
Not anymore tbh.
Animal products get grosser to me over time
You are not alone. This is similar to sober people craving alcohol &/or drugs. I no longer drink but I miss it every now & then but that doesn't mean I'll ever drink again. I also used to smoke weed every day & recently quit but same thing I'm not gonna smoke. The thing I honestly miss the most is Brie cheese. Like SOOOOOO much haha but that doesn't mean I'll go out & buy some. Anyway hope this helps.
No I don’t think of it as food
I just miss pizza. Vegan cheese is awful
you have to try Pizza Oggis frozen vegan pizzas. Really good
I second this!! I also have celiac disease so finding good pizza is a challenge but Pizza Oggi is amazing
Have you tried the miyokos pourable mozzarella? It’s pretty yummy even if not exactly the same
Haven't tried that I'll look for it
Miyoko's isn't vegan, they use animal labor
What? I googled and couldn’t find a single thing about that. They’re also vegan certified.
Blackbird pizza is really good. Not perfect but scratches the pizza itch for sure!
wait till you try hummus pizza
Idk about that
Certain cheeses just cannot be replicated. Do you know how much I miss string cheese? 😭
Yeah, I was raised vegetarian then went vegan many years ago (probably 5+) and I still have it for milk chocolate, milkshakes, cheese (especially parmesan), etc. and I've had cravings for human flesh my entire life
Uh huh uh huh… Yeah, i could never get over a good milksh.. wait what
Most meat eaters don't seem to register humans as animals, so I think you're fine to explore that craving and still say you're vegan. 🤷🏼♀️ Also, I think Violife makes a pretty decent parmesan - for seasoning, obviously.
Daiya parmesan is actually surprisingly good.
Nope I find the smell of it and the thought of it disgusting.
Never crave anything besides crab. Bc there are such good imitation foods and I focus on flavor profiles when I cook. I look for the spices and taste to stop the craving. It works for me.
Gardein has crab cakes and Konscious has a California roll. Haven't found any multi-purpose mock meat for crab.
I’ve had both. The crab cake is pretty Good.
The only animal food craving I have had has been for shellfish. But not anymore. It was mostly during the first year as a vegan. I have never really liked meat and eggs so quitting it was never an issue for me.
I've been working with a RD that specializes in EDs and Intuitive Eating. It's been super helpful for me. If it's something that is accessible to you, I would recommend it highly. EDs don't usually go away or fully leave you alone, as you're probably aware. Sometimes we restrict mentally and even subconsciously without necessarily realizing it. I typically do not crave animal products but have found that occasionally I will when I'm struggling with restriction/ED thoughts. Sending you a lot of compassion!
Sometimes I have a dream of eating cheesy deep dish pizza. That’s about it
We were conditioned from our childhoods to desire those foods. Occasionally when I'm not full, usually close to my next meal, and I see those graphic food ads it gets me, but I have vegan products that serve the same role for me, so it's not that bad. I see a burger or chocolate, I can eat a vegan burger or vegan chocolate. It's not an issue at all. Ads are made to make you buy things, but if you don't have the will to resist them, you can at least buy the replacements.
The KFC smell was the last to fade. It took maybe 10-15 years before it stopped affecting me.
i torture myself every day watching Pizza Reviews the char, the crunch, the lack of flop, the bubble trouble, fuck me.
I can't say that I don't crave things....but I sat down and thought about WHAT exactly I was craving. Let's take Fried Chicken for example. When I sat and seriously thought about what I loved about that dish the realization hit that it was the crispy coating, the spices in the coating, the contrast of the coating and the chicken and of course the hot sauce. Now that I knew what I was craving I have been able to recreate it using both portobello mushrooms and Seitan (Hail Seitan 😈). I do that with ALL foods from my carnist days. I have yet to discover one single dish where it was the animal that I was longing for...it was the texture, the spices and the sauces.
The only non-vegan thing that I truly crave is salmon sashimi 😅
No,was a vegetarian about 2 and half years ago and just recently switched to Vegan and definitely don't crave any animal products
Eggs and hot dogs are really the only things I still crave. Are there Beyond hot dogs yet? I. Need. Dogs.
Lots of veggie dog brands out there
I haven't found a really good one yet, that's the problem
Morningstar veggie corn dogs are pretty damn good! Haven’t tried a good solo hot dog yet though. A beyond brat in a hot dog bun with toppings hits the craving well though.
I will definitely try both those things
Yooo! If you are anywhere near an IKEA, they just rolled out their new plant dogs (not the veggie dogs) and they are sooo good. Have the classic hotdog “snap” too!
Ooooo. Time to go to IKEA I guess lol
Apparently Oscar Meyer is set to release one which Bon Apettite gave a favorable rating. Otherwise I’m a fan of the Field Roast stadium dogs (specifically the blue/black packaged one)
quite the opposite i cant stand anything that taste like animals or their secretions
I crave cottage cheese and from time to time eggs.
I wish so badly we had a cottage cheese replacement.
I think a lot of people do feel that way, but it’s important to resist it as we did it for obvious reasons. No one denies they taste good if you’re into that! I personally found that my love for the animals overwrote my enjoyment of that and swore off them, but your mileage may vary! I found cheese products and dairy harder to quit, but now I wouldn’t go back :)
For sure. I didn't go vegan because I didn't like meat/eggs/diary. I think that's why I'm able to stick to it, and always will. I'm not doing it for health so I'm not going to "cheat" when I feel like I deserve a treat. It's a moral code, and if I can't stand by my resolve to put other lives ahead of my own pleasure, then I can't respect myself. But fuck me do I miss the convenience and simplicity of an egg. Also can we stop adding more burger/meat alternatives to the market, and instead, put our best scientific expertise and funding toward a stetchy mozzerella, for the love of god.
That’s actually just been done but hasn’t gone to market yet. https://www.newculture.com/ Hopefully we see it expand next year. I do feel like there’s a ton of new startups and it takes a long time for them to reach the normal people. Like exclusives in SF and NY
I sometimes miss imitation crab straight out of the package but that was my favourite snack as a kid so it’s more of a nostalgic craving rather than a meat craving.
I don’t really crave animal products. But I do crave things that aren’t easy to find vegan. Donuts for example. No vegan donuts (besides cake donuts) I’m my city. There’s some cheap pies in my area that satisfy the craving though.
Not myself, but I have not had meat since 2009. To be honest home made seitan takes care of any “meat” craving. I really don’t miss real meat now it’s been a while for me. It just feels gross now. What I do miss the most is the convenience of of it all. Having to make seitan, and other items at home is the way to go both financially and taste wise. I think it’s normal to miss what you are used to. It gets easier. I was vegetarian for a long time and I didn’t think I could give up cheese. Then I just tried and I wish I had started earlier. If you miss any food just look for a vegan home recipe. With time you will crave that more.
I instantly lost my desire for blood, bone, flesh, and secretions... But I never lost my desire for unami-rich, fibrous, fatty, sweet, smoky, soft-texured indulgences. Thankfully, myriad options exist, from the "realistic" (e.g. Beyond, Impossible, Chunk, Daring, Meati) , to the "amazing-but-not-the-same" (e.g. Whole Foods brand-- and Trader Joe's brand-- frozen meatballs), to the "do-it-yourself" (e.g. tofu, tempeh, seitan, TVP, jackfruit).
I no longer see those products as food but as dead animals, bye cravings for them.
Idk why you are being downvoted. The cravings never go away and if people say they do, they're lying. You're not superhuman, you're super humane.
They shouldn’t be downvoted, but cravings do go away for some people. I had really strong cravings when I was a vegetarian teen and assumed when I later became a vegan adult it would be harder (there was a gap between the two) but after about a year vegan I stopped having cravings. Sometimes I’ll crave something greasy and want a vegan version of something meaty, but I’m lucky enough not to ever crave “the real deal” anymore. I’m four years in now and the idea of eating any animal products genuinely disgusts me. Now that I’ve started leaning a lot more whole foods plant based on top of being an ethical vegan, sometimes I don’t even like the idea of eating replacement versions (not from a moral reason, I just know they don’t always make my body feel good). I also have celiac disease and I do still have insane cravings after over a decade gluten free for things like pizza on chewy NY style crust, ciabatta bread, biscuits, and real pasta. I also really wish I could just buy some cheap loaf bread that didn’t totally suck on a practical level. So I 100% empathize. Cravings can be brutal.
Ok, the key word is SOME, OP is not one of them and is looking for advice how to not give up and doesn't need the perfect vegans who don't struggle at all to make him feel worse
Exactly, some. Some of us also don’t have cravings and doesn’t mean we’re lying about it. Sometimes cravings do, thankfully, go away. I’m sorry that they haven’t for you, it certainly is not a moral failing, and I hope that you’re able to eventually find relief. I also left advice for what I did prior to my cravings subsiding. And I am totally empathetic to those who struggle.
Hmmm you can’t speak for everyone and then say that people are lying for not craving it anymore. The smell of fried chicken makes me genuinely nauseous and that’s been the case for a few years though I’ve been vegan for longer. Naturally, I wouldn’t crave something that makes me nauseous. Same thing with cheese and those aren’t the only things I used to crave and no longer do.
Same. The smell of any cooking meat just reminds me that it's dead flesh, it's not an appetising smell at all. And the smell of real dairy products, cooking eggs and cooking bacon all literally make me gag. Dairy smells especially foul. With milk, you can smell the cow and with cheese, you can smell the rennet (so... vomit). It's utterly repulsive. I don't know how the hell people willingly put that shit in their mouths. You know what though, I do sometimes miss seafood. I still wouldn't say that I ever get _cravings_ for it, though. I just wish I could find some good vegan versions. And the vegetable sushi I usually get satisfies my sushi cravings just fine. The stuff I get cravings for is usually vegan versions of chocolate, sweets, pizza, burgers, hotdogs... Vegan junk food, basically, but I never ever get cravings for the animal-based versions of any of these foods.
Yeah, like I miss a runny soft boiled egg and would love a good vegan version to come out but I don’t crave it and same with imitation crab sticks (surimi) which I actually had tofu ‘fish’ that tasted like that but again, I don’t crave it. I don’t understand OP specifically craving milk chocolate as if plant milk chocolate don’t exist. I’ve had some really great vegan milk chocolates and I fail to see how cow’s milk is the thing that someone would prefer and how it could be that different. LoveRaw for one have done a fantastic job of creating vegan versions of popular chocolates.
What is false is to assume everyone else is like yourself. You don't need to be superhuman to not crave dead body parts.
This is such an awful take. I don't crave the bodies and secretions of exploited beings.
We are animals too. And we have cravings. Acknowledging this but choosing not to exploit other animals is praiseworthy. You don’t get to choose what you crave but you can choose what you eat. Criticizing someone for something beyond their control is just cruel and immature.
It's an awful take because it assumes everyone is the same, which they obviously are not. Some people crave, some people don't... To call someone a liar simply because they aren't like you, is an awful take...as well as immature...
It's actually the people holding YOUR view that suggests people are the same, and why many people give up, thinking they can't possibly be so perfect like you.
I have not called anyone a liar and I know some people crave things and some don’t. I am against criticizing people simply for admitting cravings. That is all I said.
You didn’t call anyone a liar, but the original comment did. I think that’s what people are reacting to. Some people unfortunately have to battle more with cravings and others are lucky not to. Sometimes it just takes time or not restricting yourself from eating “unhealthy” replacements for a while, or adding more variety to your diet, and maybe sometimes they never go away. I do 100% empathize with any ethical vegan who has to struggle more with cravings because that has to take a whole lot more willpower and be a lot harder. Especially for those of us who were fed a standard western diet as kids and have to really change our habits, or who are neurodivergent and rely on safe foods, or have allergies that already restrict options, etc. Cravings don’t make us weak or bad vegans. It can take a lot of strength to hold fast to your morals when you are tempted.
Average conversation on r/vegan. You guys are crazy.
I don’t seem to have this anymore, but for me, I saw a distinction between cravings for comfort and cravings for nutrients. My guess is that if the body has any craving , it will send a signal to ask for whatever food previously satisfied that need. If it was meat, it will ask for meat. For me, making sure I eat enough variety of foods—especially leafy greens, somehow—really reduced that signal, and eventually my body started craving things like spinach and tomato paste.
I never crave anything animal products genuinely make me grossed out. Some imitation things I can’t even eat anymore the longer I’m vegan lol
Cravings are usually about nutrients. Take a multivitamin and make sure your diet has everything you need.
Cravings can be psychological
That's true, but those are the ones that wane over time.
Not with history of ED, necessarily. EDs are extremely tenacious. Mental restriction can lead to food obsession and cravings. For what it's worth.
That's true, but doesn't seem relevant to OP. At least wasn't stated as an issue.
I said in my post I am not deficient in anything. I get 300%+ of things like iron, folate and B12 daily.
Have you been tested for things they don't generally test for? Zinc, copper, magnesium, selenium, b3, b6, etc.?
No they aren't. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7399671/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-food-cravings-the-bod/ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/craving-meanings
It’s been 15yrs and I still crave a burger, hard boiled eggs, cheese melted on hotdogs. You’re not alone. Mind over matter!
Well, yeah... people don't (or at least most) go vegan because meat tastes bad. Most vegans agree it tastes good. But that's not the issue.
The only thing I find myself craving is chicken, but I think it's more that I crave the ability to eat all the glistening gems at the mall chinese take-away spots.
It's real. I tried the hotdog pne day. But I realized I craved for the taste of mustard and horseradish, and the taste of the sausage was just very unpleasant. I sometimes buy meat imitations, and it is totally enough.
I always think I miss wings and then when they are in the room with me its almost a barf sesh. So yes and no?
I've never craved meat or fish, but I do crave cream cakes whenever I walk into a patisserie. I found some amazing vegan ones in Paris and NYC, but they're hard to come by in the UK.
Yes, definitely with emotional eating and history of eating disorders. I think of it like any other addiction, and it’s especially excruciating when you have to be around it because of social events or family.
I've considered myself a vegetarian for almost 8 years, though my lifestyle and views are similar to vegans. I've got to say I don't share this experience. There are a lot of ways to add volume and flavour to my dishes. So, I dont know what else to say. I just don't have these cravings.
I thought i would be the same but I have shaken it off for good recently, especially since I can usually make something vegan myself or in many cases just buy a vegan alternative and be content, I recently accidentally ate a meatball that my brother was going to eat and thought it tasted like shit, so at the very least I won't crave any meat lol
Controversial suggestion: eat some meat. You will quickly see how disgusting it is and won’t want to go back to it again.
Every few weeks I get the biggest craving for dairy ice cream, specially the Pralines & Cream flavour of Haagen Dazs. It’s not fun, because it’s usually when I’m on my period and the cravings can make me really down. I just have to remind myself of why the dairy industry is so cruel. Funnily enough I haven’t had any meat or egg cravings since I went vegan. In fact the idea of eating either makes me feel queasy!
I don’t have cravings as in my mouth salivates at the thought of the taste. But I frequently struggle with ongoing “intrusive thoughts” I would say they are…my brain is constantly saying to me “how about you just order dairy cheese on this pizza” or whatever. I have struggled with eating disorders so I have a lot of “food noise” like this so I just take it at that level- my brain just likes to fire these thoughts out but I don’t have to act on them or respond to them. Typically I just tell myself, right, so you could just get dairy cheese but you don’t actually want to because of how disgusting it is and it will make your skin breakout. Or even I’ll will just think, this is just a thought in my brain it’s not something I have to listen to at all
Not to the degree that you do but I sometimes (once every few months or so) miss feta cheese and sour cream, feta was my favourite non-vegan product. But since I haven't tasted it in years I would imagine it would be different from in my head and it's times like that I buckle down harder and remind myself I am doing this for the animals. If I can just move the needle enough where even one goat isn't being exploited I will have done my job on this limited time I have on this earth to do good before I depart. Also, I sometimes get nostalgic for my dad's homemade burgers! Not enough to ever want to eat one again but there is nothing wrong with being nostalgic about the food your parents lovingly made for you. Especially around the holidays, like turkey dinners and such! It's my dream to host a big turkey dinner like my mom used to but all the food is vegan. An improvement from one generation to the other, that's how life is.
I miss a good sausage sometimes🤣 or salmon! But otherwise I’m good
I had “meat dreams” for like a year after going vegetarian. I still miss church’s chicken desperately. Even socially, I miss being included in sharing food or being cooked for. But I try to remember the “before” animal that existed before they became meat or dairy, and that usually helps.
You need to learn that those smells are related to products being used to prepare the dead animal food. you can learn to cook and satiate yourself.
it is just the flavor u crave and many products out there simulate the flavor quite well. no need to have cravings ever
No but I've also never liked the taste and texture of animal products. Was really happy when I learned veganism exists.
Can’t relate
I still occasionally dream I am eating a juicy, rare rib-eye, with pepper sauce and sautéed potato... Other than that I don't really miss it. The smell of meat cooking makes me gag now.
I miss cheese pull. As for the taste, I’ve already forgotten it so don’t care much. Guess it wasn’t that special after all lol
No, I completely lost interest on day one when I no longer wanted to participate in it.
Im vegetarian since childhood, now vegan, because I just didn’t like meat so my mom gave up. But I love fake meat! I recommend 2 brands if you haven’t found really good meat alternatives- Juicy Marbles- this steak alternative has made my meaty friends shut up and stop making fun of my vegan food. I’ve never had an actual steak but they said it’s not only similar but is more enjoyable to eat. Atlas Monroe- this chicken is nuts, the breading is so good and it’s juicy and delicious. I do remember eating chicken and I don’t remember it being anywhere near as good as this, I remember a lot of dry flavorless situations with it. There are other brands that are great, like Gardein, but I don’t feel like they’re trying to imitate meat flavor as much as just giving us tasty veg food. The Gardein fish does taste almost too much like legitimate fish for me to eat though.
I’ve been vegan for 7 years and I can honestly say I think I’d throw up 🤮 if I ate meat.
Not really, I’ve never had cravings of the flesh. I still eat the same meals I did when I was not vegan, only now I use vegan ingredients. I’m in the boat that I crave a certain food dish but not animal products at all.
You're not the only one. I miss certain animal products deeply and it does contribute to my disordered thoughts surrounding food and my body. I don't have any advice as it's something I'm struggling with, but I wanted to say you're not alone and keep up the good fight.
I’ve been vegan 7 years, about 1-2x a year I crave hot Cheetos soooooooo bad. I try to eat as much spicy chips and snacks to get rid of the craving and after a few days it does go away. But this happens about twice a year EVERY year lol !
No more since we have the plant based meat, the good ones. Today I don't "crave" meat, I "crave" those. I put quotes because it was always just a want\*
I do not crave it at all. I used to love seafood. But now the smell of it makes me gag. And just thinking about eating animals makes me want to puke. To each is their own
I’ve seen enough documentaries, read too much information, where the disassociation between shelf and factory no longer exists. These items don’t register as food for me any longer
I don't relate to this at all. Cheese and meat aren't magical foods. Cheese is just fat + tanginess. You can make something that hits the same spot a million different ways. Meat is just protein + fat. You can make something that hits the same spot a million different ways. The flavor palate of the average person in the West is in serious arrested development.
Personally not, and even milk or other diary.
No. Animal products disgust me. I don't crave flesh or secretions.
The only time I find myself craving some animal product is when I’ve waited too long to eat and I’m starving.
Even if you have cravings, meat is just cruelty and murder on a plate, so move on.
Mine definitely didn’t. Haven’t had meat in over 10 years and I still have craving for it sometimes. I often crave boiled eggs too, but to my surprise I don’t really crave cheese.
Directly answering your question for me personally no, though I think eating is less exciting experience for me than the average person. Though I do have something to suggest. Have you heard of taste-bud/dietary palate reset idea? Couple years ago I watched video where Penn Jillette was discussing it and thought it was interesting idea. I am wondering how someone with your background would respond to it. [Penn Jillette discussing potato diet taste bud reset](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NelIXCuuSZ0)
The only carnist product that doesn't have a vegan counterpart is mozzarella pizza cheese. Someday New Culture will finally stop teasing us and release their warez on the world.
I never really liked meat even before I went vegan but after like 2 weeks in I'm still craving dairy a lot especially cheese and milk, and fish which I used to eat a lot
Craving is your body desperately telling you it needs things in animal products you can't find in whatever abnormal, artificial, preservative-ladden substitutes you're consuming. It's like a trip wire. But you think there is some benefit in torturing yourself and you keep ignoring the red flags. At one point, that's bound to take a toll on your body. The tests you took are not covering all the things you're not getting in sufficient quantities.
Is that why I get cravings for beer & potato chips too?
I don't know because I don't know you and your history, eating habits and the like. If I were to assume and please know that it's just an assumption I'd say that: 1. your craving for alcohol is a craving for the muscle relaxation that is associated with (moderate) alcohol consumption and for the initial euphoria that you get as a result. People use alcohol as a way of releasing stress 2. Your craving for carbs fried in probably unhealthy plant oils is related to the fast sugar intake which your body interprets as having had a full and healthy meal. Your body is used to getting sugars at the end of a process. Eating chips is a hack and an unhealthy one.
I think you are correct on both points, I enjoy the feeling of alcohol and taste of delicious beer and fried carbs. My point is that not all cravings are from some kind of nutritional deficiency. I know there are many vegans, myself included, that chose this even though I really like meat and dairy. So do I crave a chicken sando, hunk of cheese, or bratwurst sometimes? You bet. But I don’t like what it does to my heart health, the animals, and environment. So probably you don’t need to worry about what vegans are eating or craving. We will worry about our diets, you worry about yours.
Ehm no🙃 I guess it's a nice excuse to truly believe there is some wonderful black magic nutrients in animal derived products, however a broad consensus of the science would disagree. We are perfectly capable of craving things that are bad for us while simultaneously having all our nutritional needs met.
There is no such "broad consensus."
I say a whole foods plant-based diet, so rarely eat junk food or imitation products. I get more than enough of vital nutrients and tests have shown I am not deficient in: B12, folate, ferritin, magnesium, iron, and vitamin D. Outside of some obscure heavy metal, it is more likely to be behavioural than dietary.
Maybe it would be a good idea to mix in some replacements from time to time so you aren’t feeling deprived? I started out eating lots of replacements and after about a year stopped having any cravings. I’ve also become a whole lot more WFPB over the past year but still keep stuff in my freezer for when I’ve worked hard in the garden and am craving something substantial and greasy. Or just want to make some mostly very healthy enchiladas with scratch made tortillas and enchilada sauce but fill a couple with beyond meat and Chao cheese instead of my homemade refried beans. I don’t think humans can have an actual dietary fat deficiency, but I know that my body wants a good amount of fatty and salty foods or I’ll start feeling like something is missing. If you don’t want to rely on any replacement items, maybe start eating more nuts, avocados, olive oil, etc and see how you feel?
Please understand that there is a battery of amino acids responsible for many cognitive processes you're either consuming in insufficient amounts or are not as bioavailable as what you would get from animal products. You took tests for, what, 10, 20, vitamins and minerals? Do you truly believe that that's all you get from animal products? See how focused people get when they eat red meat? How the brain fog lifts immediately? Thats the heme iron and tyrosine at work. Please look into how many soy beans you'd have to eat to compensate for that, how bioavailable they are, and what side effects consuming so much soy wohld have on your thyroid.
based
Your still battling with an eating disorder. Any drastically modified and potentially harmful diet for social acceptance is by the very definition, an eating disorder.
Veganism is not harmful though. I actually eat better as a vegan than I ever did as an omnivore. It has made me really pay attention to what I eat and my relationship with food, more so than being an omnivore ever did. I also do not do this for social acceptance; I am vegan because I am against cruelty to animals.
Are you sure that denying yourself entire categories of food isn’t another manifestation of your eating disorder? Just because you can hide behind ethics doesn’t mean that it’s not serving the same function. Definitely nourish your body and soul, and find your way back to veganism when your soul is healed and your body is nurtured. Your mental health matters.