So, most of the governments in the western world are seemingly trying to turn people vegan to save the planet. They'll call you a good little 'woke' person if you follow everything they say.
However, it seems most of this plant based 'food ' is extremely highly processed.
It's the Woody Allen quote, "everything that was considered healthy was proven dangerous and everything that was considered dangerous was proven healthy."
The reason why it is so funny it is that is has been proven true, time and time again.
Let's consider the "war on sugar." Sugar is bad It makes people fat (and diabetic which makes the sugar problem worse) Let's replace sugar in soda with artificial sweetner Artificial sweetener in soda fools the stomach into thinking that more "food" is required. Caloric intake is increased People become fat And become diabetic.
The same is true here. Fake meat might or might not be bad, but that's sidestepping the problem. Real vegetarian choices and real vegan choices are far better than the mass produced fake meat crap on the market.
You are right about a lot of vegan foods being processed. Whole foods are the best foods. I try my best... The impossible burger at burger king was the first to break out as being decent. Burger King was always on the front line of having a decent veggie burger. I was in a touring band for a bunch of years that included a vegetarian so BK was our go to.
I would disagree with the premise that most governments are trying to turn us vegan. I have become less supportive of subsidies in the automotive industry. If charged up an electric car based on where I live, I would be buring coal - We have a fairly even split between coal, natural gas, and nuclear in Raleigh NC.
The sad part is that there is a viable middle ground (and there is another viable middle ground - just vegetarianism because I don't want to give up my egg / milk product sauces unless I absolutely have to) that involves just eating fresh foods. I have passed by the fake meat burgers at my supermarket a dozen times and I'm the first to order the falafel and hummus wrap at the Greek diner (or the panini). And if it wasn't for my allergy to nuts, there would be even more options.
