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MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
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Veggie Burgers

Actually Pretty Good

January 4, 2006 6:53:35 PM from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Despite, or maybe because of, being sick from the flu I decided to venture out and drag my carcass to the pharmacy to buy some vitamins. My diet the past several months been, well, let's say less than balanced so I figured a good multivitamin might be a good thing for the short term until my new dietary habits take hold. I am determined to eat healthier this year.

I also stopped by Publix to pick up a few more groceries and see what kind of vegan-friendly selection they had. I was pleasantly surprised to find a very good selection of vegan products. I bought a box of cereal, some sliced smoked tofurkey for sandwiches, fruits and veggies, a raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing, and some soy crumbles to add to my next spaghetti sauce.

I made veggie burgers for dinner, not really sure what to expect. Hey, I'll try anything once. I was quite surprised to find that they are very good. Much better than soy burgers I had eaten in the past and found quite revolting. These things rock! I did learn one lesson thoug, and that's to make a point of reading the labels when I buy stuff.

While the veggie burgers were quite good, that particular brand is not strictly vegan as, after getting them home and reading the label, I found that they contain egg whites. Ummm, since when did eggs become a vegitable? Oh well, lesson learned; take the reading glasses to the grocer.

I double checked everything else I bought, except the cereal which is labeled "vegan" right on the box. Yup, the veggie burgers were my only screw up. Live and learn.

And they did taste good

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MasonM
Texas Wahine
Join Date 08/2004
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Reply #1 January 4, 2006 7:19:35 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I was going to tell you to try the Boca grilled patties because they are super yummy, but I looked at the ingredients, and they have dairy in them.

Vegan's pretty strict. You're braver than me.
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MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
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Reply #2 January 4, 2006 7:24:16 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Thanks, Tex. Avoidng dairy is one of my primary reasons for going vegan. Really ticks me off they would name a product "veggie burger" and then put friggin eggs in there.

I can say, though, that normally after eating a burger it isn't very long before I am heading for the bathroom. These didn't bother me at all. No upset stomach.

I'll just have to pay more attention to labels than I am used to doing. I have some folks on a Vegan forum giving me some shopping pointers.
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MasonM
SSG Geezer
Join Date 08/2004
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Reply #3 January 4, 2006 7:35:53 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I read your vegan anyone? article but I still don't understand why you would go straight to Vegan rather than just staying vegetarian for a while first. Even ovo-lactose veggie, then the eggs aren't an issue.
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MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
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Reply #4 January 4, 2006 7:40:15 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
#3 by SSG Geezer
Wednesday, January 04, 2006




I read your vegan anyone? article but I still don't understand why you would go straight to Vegan rather than just staying vegetarian for a while first. Even ovo-lactose veggie, then the eggs aren't an issue.


Basically, because dairy products and eggs contribute to my health issue and I need to avoid them. If they didn't I would simply go vegetarian and be perfectly happy. Unlike 90% of Vegans, my motivation is primarily health not animal rights.
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MasonM
KarmaGirl
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Reply #5 January 4, 2006 7:45:47 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Really ticks me off they would name a product "veggie burger" and then put friggin eggs in there.

That's because eggs are vegetarian.  Eating strict vegan is *really* hard.  There are even pastas and a lot of breads that use egg.  You might want to just decide not to be that fanaticle, especially if being an ovo vegetarian ends up resolving your issue.

I try to avoid dairy (even though I *love* cheese) because of a liver issue that I have.  Eggs, in small quantities (especially when just using the white) don't seem to be a problem.  I really like strawberry soy milk made by Silk- I get them in little single serve containers so none of it ever goes "bad" before it's consumed.  Mmmmm...that sounds good right now...

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MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
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Reply #6 January 4, 2006 8:13:09 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Karma, from experience I know that eggs are a trigger for my IBS. Probably a mild allergy.
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MasonM
Furry Canary
Join Date 08/2004
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Reply #7 January 5, 2006 7:28:15 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
'Thanks, Tex. Avoidng dairy is one of my primary reasons for going vegan. Really ticks me off they would name a product "veggie burger" and then put friggin eggs in there.'

If you're going to stick at the veganism, Mason, you will find that the case you describe above is common. Reluctantly, I feel I must speak up in the manufacturer's defence in this instance, as there are many variants of vegetarianism, of which veganism is only one, so they're not strictly out of order here. However, I do think it would be sensible if manufacturers were to introduce a set of clear symbols indicating the main categories - 'no meat', 'no eggs', 'no dairy' etc. In the meantime, as I often say, you can tell us vegans in the supermarket - we take twice as long as everyone else because we (have to) read every flaming label!

'Hungry Jacks' (the Australian wing of 'Burger King') did far worse than this recently. They made a big hoo-hah about releasing a new veggie-burger, only for it to be exposed several months down the track as containing significant amounts of beef fat! Cue hordes of outraged (if perhaps slightly naive) vegetarians. What's worse, Hungry Jack's were completely unrepentant, claiming that just because they'd called it a 'veggie-burger' gave people no right to assume it didn't ALSO contain animal products. Moral: Don't buy vegetarian from hamburger chains; rather, make a point of supporting the outlets that have a focus on your diet, and not just your wallet.
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MasonM
Tova7
Join Date 09/2005
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Reply #8 January 5, 2006 7:42:07 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Actually I don't know much about them because I tried them years ago and was grossed out.

My question is this: I'd love to try them again but can you tell me how many and the types of veggies that are in them?

My two year old won't eat a vegetable of any kind to save his little life. I've tried disguising the veggies in meatballs and such....yeah, he is not a dummy. As soon as he sees the specks, he throws it off the table. (Uh-huh, I am breaking him of that, but he is a stubborn one.)

Anyway, I was thinking this might be a great way to trick his veggies in....if they aren't so over processed that all the nutrients are gone.

Also, how is the texture?

Any info is much appreciated, thanks!
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MasonM
MasonM
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Reply #9 January 5, 2006 7:48:29 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Yeah FC, I learned that lesson: read the labels. Clear markings would be nice.

Tova, it just depends on the brand. I'd suggest just reading the label on whatever they sell at your store.
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MasonM
Furry Canary
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Reply #10 January 5, 2006 8:14:03 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
'My question is this: I'd love to try them again but can you tell me how many and the types of veggies that are in them?'

Tova (and Mason too, come to think of it), I would suggest the best way to be really sure is to make your own. It's generally cheaper, can be a lot of fun, and - once you get used to it - there is no mystery whatsoever in preparing great vegetarian food. What's more, a mere Google away, there are more veggie-burger recipes than you could poke a stick at ...
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MasonM
MasonM
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Reply #11 January 5, 2006 8:18:07 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I'm sure that's true FC and I may try it some time. But like most people, time and scheduling are always problematic.
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MasonM
crimson
Join Date 12/2003
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Reply #12 January 5, 2006 8:37:46 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
"tofurkey"

useless comment: That word always cracks me up.
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MasonM
shadesofgrey
Join Date 02/2004
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Reply #13 January 5, 2006 10:33:47 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
My question is this: I'd love to try them again but can you tell me how many and the types of veggies that are in them?


Here are the ingredients for Boca's Chicken Patties:
Ingredients: PATTY: WATER, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, TEXTURED WHEAT PROTEIN (WHEAT GLUTEN, WHEAT FLOUR), CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF WHEAT GLUTEN, YEAST EXTRACT, METHYLCELLULOSE, SALT, SPICE (CONTAINS BLACK PEPPER), NATURAL FLAVOR (NON-MEAT), HYDROLYZED SOYBEAN AND CORN PROTEIN, HYDROLYZED CORN GLUTEN, ONION POWDER, SUGAR, SUCCINIC ACID, THIAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1). BATTER: WATER, WHEAT FLOUR, YELLOW CORN FLOUR, SALT. BREADING: WHEAT FLOUR, DEXTROSE, SALT, DRIED YEAST, CARAMEL COLOR, YELLOW CORN FLOUR, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA AND ANNATTO FOR COLOR. BROWNED IN CORN OIL.


I would think that it's not the best subsitute for vegetables, but rather a good protein subsitute for those not eating meat.
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MasonM
Dr Guy
Join Date 09/2004
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Reply #14 January 5, 2006 10:45:06 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

They made a big hoo-hah about releasing a new veggie-burger, only for it to be exposed several months down the track as containing significant amounts of beef fat! Cue hordes of outraged (if perhaps slightly naive) vegetarians

I dont see why they would be outraged!  I am sure the cows (since cow is female) would be glad to get rid of some fat!  never met a female that was not happy to!

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MasonM
KarmaGirl
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Reply #15 January 5, 2006 11:45:14 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums


I would think that it's not the best subsitute for vegetables, but rather a good protein subsitute for those not eating meat.

Bocas are a soy patty, not an actual veggie patty.  MorningStar Farms has a lot of "veggie" patties as well as grillers (they have a vegan griller- grillers are made with soy).  Here is a link to a patty that is considered to have 2 servings of veggies in it:  http://www.kelloggs.com/cgi-bin/brandpages/product.pl?product=323&company=23

However, if you have a really picky eater, they may not like them.  Real veggie burgers are not like meat at all.

Moral: Don't buy vegetarian from hamburger chains; rather, make a point of supporting the outlets that have a focus on your diet, and not just your wallet.

Yeah, I don't go out to eat a lot for that reason.  A lot of "veggie" soups have a beef base, a lot of veggies are cooked with animal products, etc.  However, there is a restaurant by me called Seva that is completely vegetarian and denotes "vegan" foods so people know what they are eating.  They are also rated at the top of the health department for food safety (no violations).  I guess there is less food contamination when meat isn't involved.

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MasonM
foreverserenity
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #16 January 5, 2006 3:19:23 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Good luck with your new healthy habits M! I've had veggie burgers before, just because I wanted to try it and liked it.
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MasonM
MasonM
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Reply #17 January 5, 2006 5:33:11 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I wish we had a good vegitarian/vegan restaurant around here.

Thanks, Serenity. I was pleasantly surprised by them. I think the ones I'd had before that tasted kinda nasty were actually plain tofu burgers. Not good at all.
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MasonM
Moderateman
Join Date 11/2004
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Reply #18 January 5, 2006 5:58:35 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
yuk! tofurkey, veggieburgers. I want meat!
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MasonM
KarmaGirl
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Reply #19 January 6, 2006 9:04:04 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums


I wish we had a good vegitarian/vegan restaurant around here.

Do you have any Indian, Mediterranean or Mid Eastern restaurants around you?  They typically have a fair number of vegetarian or vegan options.

Have you ever tried hummus? It's a chic pea spread that has garlic, tahini (made from sesame seeds ground into oblivion), olive oil and a bit of lemon juice in it.  It is packed with good protein and essential amino acids.  It is also my daughter's most requested food for lunch (with assorted raw veggies to dip in it).  It is very easy to make with a common blender, and all the ingredients can be found in a regular store.  If you want a recipe, let me know and I'll dig it up.....now I want some myself.....

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MasonM
drmiler
Join Date 09/2004
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Reply #20 January 6, 2006 3:02:19 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
yuk! tofurkey, veggieburgers. I want meat!


Knock the horns and hooves off. Throw it in a sizzling hot skillet, flip it over and throw it on my plate! Yum!
Just as long as it don't moo when I stick it.
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MasonM
MasonM
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Reply #21 January 6, 2006 6:22:48 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Do you have any Indian, Mediterranean or Mid Eastern restaurants around you? They typically have a fair number of vegetarian or vegan options.

Have you ever tried hummus?

Our redneck little town is lacking in such places. Not the most cultured bunch around here.

I like hummus. I am out at the moment but plan to make some more once I get over this flu.
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MasonM
KarmaGirl
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Reply #22 January 9, 2006 9:29:43 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

I was thinking about your new eating plan over the weekend and remembered a site that I used to get recipes from.  Here it is:  http://vegweb.com/recipes/index-toprecipes.shtml

Also, if you can afford it, subscribe to vegetarian times, or buy their recipe book (it's a couple years of recipes).  They have some great, easy to make recipes in there.  Most of them are vegan, or they have suggestions on how to make them that way.  If you want, maybe we can start a vegetarian/vegan discussion in the "Home and Family" section (there is a cooking section) on here.  Then we could post recipes and suggestions.  I have a lot of tried and true recipes that might be of help.

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MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
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Reply #23 January 9, 2006 5:45:01 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Thanks, Karma. I already had that site bookmarked

Starting a vegetarian/vegan recipes thread sounds like a good idea to me.
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