Vegetarian meat substitutes, such as veggie burgers made from structured vegetable protein (TVP) and seitan made from wheat gluten, are popular among vegetarians for health, animal welfare, and environmental reasons. These substitutes can be found in health and grocery stores and vegetarian restaurants.
Veggie meat is a food made from soy or wheat products used to replicate the taste and texture of real meat. The most commonly known vegetarian meat product is a veggie or veggie burger made from structured vegetable protein (TVP), a cholesterol-free meat substitute. TVP is typically made by extracting oil from soybean meal to create flakes that, when reconstituted with water, can be used in any recipe that calls for hamburger or ground beef. TVP is high in protein and fiber and often has one-tenth the fat found in ground beef.
Another form of vegetarian meat is called seitan or wheat gluten. Seitan is produced by a process of removing the starch from wheat flour, resulting in a chewy meat-like texture. Like tofu or TVP, it absorbs any flavor or marinade and can be shaped into patties, ribs, or even a roast. Vegetarians craving a traditional American Thanksgiving can substitute the turkey for a vegetarian meat product, such as seitan roast flavored with mushroom broth for an even meatier flavor.
There are several reasons why vegetarians choose not to eat meat and sometimes even dairy products. One is if a person has special dietary needs and needs to watch their fat and cholesterol intake. Others may choose vegetarianism for reasons of animal care and welfare or for the environmental impact of raising and slaughtering animals for food. For some, such as followers of some types of Buddhism, vegetarianism is a religious obligation.
There are many products in health and grocery stores that cater to people looking for vegetarian meat substitutes but who also want to enjoy the foods they grew up on. There are vegetarian bacon strips and soy-based meatloaf and house-style foods, such as Italian sausage or meatballs, made by TVP.
There are also vegetarian restaurants that serve traditional Western-style food, but use vegetarian meat substitutes in the recipes. Some of these restaurants specialize in a particular type of cuisine. Chinese restaurants often have a large selection of vegetarian meat dishes, including mock duck, vegetarian chicken, and vegetarian fish, all made from wheat gluten. Jewish dairy restaurants, while less common, offer meat-based vegetarian dishes such as a veggie loaf made with grains and nuts for customers who do not eat milk and meat in accordance with Jewish dietary laws.
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