Meat and Cheese Substitutes
Meat substitutes are vegetable products processed to taste, look, or have the texture of meat. These taste pretty good (some are great). They can give you that chewy feel of meat you are used to in many prepared dishes such as tacos, pasta sauces, stir frys, etc., and they have a relatively high protein content because they use soy protein or wheat gluten as a base. But realize that these foods are processed, so are not necessarily the healthiest way to go when you are trying to make your body into a better machine, although as part of a balanced fresh food diet, they can really help ease a transition away from meat products. You have to try them for yourself, but its best not to think of it as fake meat, but just as another food that might taste good when put on in a sandwich, on a bun, or mix it into a sauce.
These products are available in local health food markets, in some larger chains such as Whole Foods and main stream supermarkets in the produce section, and online. Here are some of the best ones out there!
Vegenaise- a great no-egg mayonnaise and with no cholesterol
Gardein beefless beef tips, chicken scalopini, and much more
Veggie Patch – lots of burgers and much more
Yves ground beef and sandwich meatless meats
MorningStar Farms – lots of burgers and much more
Lightlife – lots of sandwich slices and other products
Daiya cheese- melts just like dairy cheese
Galaxy foods makes a variety of different cheese substitutes
