(Shamelessly stealing this image from some crackpot carnivore diet community elsewhere on the lemmyverse, with which I have never once interacted, but noticed I have been banned from. Lulz.)
Regardless of your take on the ethics of meat, this argument is nonsensical from either side.
Mixtures of things have different effects than their component parts.
It’s like saying if the hot chocolate just tastes like the cocoa powder, why don’t I just eat the cocoa powder?
Because the texture and nature of the water give it a property too.
I think they were trying to make an equivalent argument to the questions around the existence of plant-based “meats”. That line of reasoning usually goes “why create a meat-like ‘concoction’ from plants rather than just eating delicious plant products themselves? Why do we need products resembling meat? Just eat a plant-based diet.”
I understand now that these products aren’t for me, and aren’t necessarily for those who are comfortable working directly with plants in the kitchen. They also provide an easy off-ramp from a more meat-heavy diet. Beyond Burgers are akin to vapes for those struggling to eat less meat. They have their place.
Sure we can judge things by the sum of their parts. Like how no matter how well prepared any meal is, no matter how divine it’s mouthfeel, I am unable to take pleasure in the consumption of a food that I know is the result of immense animal suffering. That is what animal products are made of too. They are also made of human suffering from the workers who are all but forced into working in slaughterhouses, an occupation well known for causing ptsd in its workers. I also derive no pleasure in knowing that animal overconsumption is one of the primary drivers of heart disease - the number one killer in most western countries, something which is completely preventable in 99% of people.
Animal products are also made of wanton environmental destruction, as well as being a massive zoonotic disease vector.
So why stop there? Please take your analysis even further.
I’m very specifically not getting into this argument. Everything you just said is completely right.
All I’m saying is this particular argument about taste and flavors is the worst possible one to make because it’s demonstrably illogical.
Heh, sorry about the soapboxing. I kind of lost the plot there. Yea, so it’s like others have said, that’s the joke. It’s making fun of the people who bitch about plant-based foods trying to mimic animal-based ones.
For the British: the things shown in the picture are spices. You add them to food to make it have taste.
This reminds me of a controversy among the carnivore diet community, where someone got smeared as a “vegan” for seasoning his meat, and really liking chili peppers.
Vegetarians and vegans just hate plants more than they love animals.
It’s the mineral eaters you really need to keep your eye on.
Hey, last I checked, you have omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. Pretty much no one is purely carnivore. Besides, I’ve never heard of an omnivore complain about having to eat “plants” (spices), unless it’s a child who doesn’t like broccoli or something.
There is actually a weird group of people doing a carnivore diet where you basically only eat animal products. Literally to the point of what the meme posted says of not eating like spices, or food cooked in olive oil. It’s wild lol.
Before I took up veganism, someone asked me about my feelings on it once.
And this was pretty much my response. I’m not really that attached to food in general regardless.
My answer wasn’t satisfactory though, because later they complained that I needed expressively enjoy the alternatives we ate.
It’s like asking an atheist if they enjoy Christmas without the Christ stuff — I mean sometimes? Most of it isn’t Christian, you’ve just come to associate them.
Like yes, I still enjoy salt, fat, and sweet smoky flavours even if they’re not from warming body parts of dubious provenance in my kitchen? I’m quite happy to leave that part out, thanks!
[Some kind of body of Christ pun.]
Yeah basically.
I always knew that it was the flavoring I enjoyed, which came from the spices. Not judging anyone that does miss meat or other animal products, but for the most part I’m rather unbothered.
And obviously I believe in the cause, I’m not just doing it because I can.
To be honest meat, even the smell of it, has become very unpleasant to me these days. It all smells putrefied to me.
Spices in quantity are generally used to improve subpar ingredients. If you get top quality meat, it needs nothing but cooking. But most of us can’t afford top quality meats all the time.
Don’t forget to add rocks (salt) or else it won’t taste good, even if it’s quality.
