Non-vegetarian friends and family are not always willing to try vegetarian cuisine. Although it may seem silly to many of us that anyone would be afraid of a little food, we must also realize that food plays a very important role in most people’s lives. It is, quite often, more than nourishment. It is a vital part of many of life’s celebrations and tribulations. Whether it is a time of great happiness or deep sorrow, it is usually accompanied by a buffet. Intimacy and trust are involved in sharing food and now, with more concerns about what people are putting into their bodies, how do we enlist wary, non-vegetarians to participate in our taste tests?
This topic has spawned heated debates among vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike for years. One particular debate on Veggiespot, a vegetarian group on Yahoo!, revealed that many thought it was fun to trick their meat-eating family and friends into eating veggie foods often containing soy, tvp, and other meat substitutes. Others gave several reasons they thought such a strategy was unethical. The line divided the group in half. So, we set out to ask others what they think about this topic.
Following are some of the answers from veg teens AND a few well-known veggie activists:
“I think it is great because most people are afraid to try vegan food and tricking them is the only way. What's better is to tell them what it actually is after they eat it (and if they like it), so that it will encourage them to eat more vegan food.”
-Angie L., 16
“No [it is not unethical], because they're not putting anything nasty or offensive in their food. If the tables were turned, it would be different.”
–Liz C, 21
“I think I'd have to agree that it's unfair; not that anyone has ethical convictions against eating VEGGIES (not that I know of anyway), but it's still wrong. Like it asks, how would a veg feel if it were them being tricked into eating meat? I would not want this to happen to me; therefore I would follow the ‘Golden Rule’: do unto others as you would have done unto you.
That whole allergy issue is just trouble waiting to happen. Why take that kind of risk, all in the name of a "joke"? I would prefer to tell whoever I'm feeding what they're about to eat, and hopefully they'd be so impressed by the truth and taste, they'd be more willing to eat it next time. Instead of, in a certain case-scenario, after the meal the dinner guests are told the "jokes on them," making them more likely to refuse food next time, because of lack of knowledge of what it is. Ever heard of the boy who cried cow?”
–Tiffany W., 18
“If someone gives a carnivore vegan food I don't believe it would prompt them to dupe a vegetarian into eating meat. Just picture it, once someone has eaten/is eating something and you tell them its vegan, they're just gonna be surprised, I couldn't imagine someone getting enraged and reacting badly to that.
I support this method! Syra-juice in Syracuse, NY sells awesome vegan food plus meat sh**, and I always tell the owner to use veggie taste-alikes in the sandwiches. She says she can't because of false advertising liability, but I think that is a good way to get carnies to try more veggie food. I did it today as a matter of fact! I used Newman-O's for Oreos in a skit in my Introduction to Human Services class, and passed them around to the class afterward. Thing is, I never told them they were all vegan Oreo taste-alikes, cause they weren't too tasty. If one is to try this tactic, make sure it's a good vegan delight because, if it's nasty, you will give the carnies a bad impression of vegan food and your plan will backfire.”
–Billy P., 18
“I do that to my parents all the time, but I know they're not allergic to it. I do it to prove it tastes like the real thing and that it’s not disgusting. So, I think it’s okay to trick them into eating meat substitutions, but not if you know that they have a history of allergic reactions to any of the ingredients the substitutions contain.”
–Joanne P., 15
“Hmm. Good question. I really don't think you can compare a vegan sneaking veggies into a meat lover's dish with a meat lover sneaking meat into a vegan's dish. It's just not the same. Veggies certainly will do the meat lover no harm- so long as you make sure they aren't allergic to any ingredients first. Once my mom and I made a vegan cake, and didn't tell my grandmother until she ate a piece! Sometimes it takes a little lie like that to get someone to try something new. :) Now, I wouldn't include an ingredient in a meat lover's dish if they were allergic to it, just as I wouldn't want someone slipping meat into my plate. We vegetarians *don’t* eat animals, but meat eaters (hopefully) do consume vegetables as well, so I don't think giving them a vegan dish will harm them when they already consume vegetables on a regular basis- something we veggies can't say about meat. :)”
-Jessica A., 16
“You know, I thought about doing that to my family when I first became a vegetarian. I’m glad I didn’t. As much as I would like them to become vegetarians, I want them to do it for the right reasons. So, no, I don’t think it's right to trick your meat-eating family. Allergies are another concern.”
–Jaime D., 16
“Because so many people so stubbornly reject the idea of vegetarianism/veganism, it's hard to get many meat-eaters to try meat substitutes or at least give us a chance to try and show them what our lifestyle is all about. Obviously, we wouldn't try to trick someone if we knew they had a soy-allergy or if we didn't know them at all (and not knowing if they have any allergies).
Just a few days ago, I made my brother a Chik'n patty, telling him simply that I had made him a chicken sandwich and he ate the whole thing, thinking it really was chicken. He liked it and he isn't scarred for life (nor was he even mad) because he TRIED a soy-based product.
So, no, I don't believe it is totally unjust to attempt to get a normally meat-eating person to try a meatless alternative (even if they aren't fully aware that they are doing so…)"
-Courtney B., 14
“I don't feel it is ethical to "trick" anyone into doing anything without their full knowledge and consent. We wouldn't want someone to do that to us, and it is no less deceptive and dishonest when we do it to others. Everyone has (or ought to have) the right to control what goes into her or his own body. Using trickery to get others to comply with our wishes or desires just so we can prove ourselves right (e.g., "See, this really does taste good, doesn't it?") is wrong no matter how you slice it. Certainly, there are practical issues, such as food allergies, to consider, but it goes even deeper than that. Our character is revealed by our actions; consequently, our methods are as relevant as the outcome our actions may bring. Using deceptive means endorses and encourages more deception. If we want to stand on higher ground, we must walk the path that leads there.”
–Joanne Stepaniak, co-author of Raising Vegetarian Children, activist, founder Grass Roots Veganism.
“I've given family members mock meat without them knowing it was vegan before, but only because I knew they had no soy allergies. In fact, my grandfather said they were the best meatballs he'd ever had, despite the fact that a year earlier, he'd tried the same exact brand while knowing they were vegan and said he "couldn't eat them."
I wouldn't "trick" someone who I wasn't close with, but would for those I know wouldn't be upset by it. A better idea may be to give people blind taste tests so they can try to figure out which is the vegan version and which is the non-vegan version.”
–Paul Shapiro, Compassion Over Killing
“In general, I believe that being above-board and honest is the best way to alleviate and prevent suffering, which is the goal of Vegan Outreach. Promoting vegetarianism is a long-term project, and lies and deception will almost always come back to haunt efforts of creating fundamental change.”
–Matt Ball, Vegan Outreach
“I tricked a class of sixth graders a few years back by telling them that I was going to give them bar-b-cued Chinese ribs, and then soy ribs for a taste comparison. I first asked if anybody in the class was allergic to soy. Nobody raised their hands. I then gave them the pork ribs. When they were finished, I asked if they were ready to eat the soy ribs. The class answered together, "Yes."
I smiled, and told them, "You just did!"
I have made vegan dishes resembling meat for picnics and potlucks. I've also made great vegan chili. I never represent anything, either way. I put the food out. It gets eaten. Nobody has gone to the hospital yet...”
–Robert Cohen, the Notmilk Man
"I don't feel we should use trickery as a tool, for a couple of reasons...
1) No one likes being tricked. Generally, it makes the tricked feel sort of silly and naive. The last thing I'd ever want is for someone's first experience with vegan food to be one where they feel duped, used or abused. We want to create positive experiences with veggie food, not negative ones!
2) Vegan food is so ridiculously good that trickery should not even be necessary! Often times, I'll take carnivorous friends and family members to one of New York City's amazing vegetarian restaurants. Upon eating the delicious vegetables, grains, mock meats, cakes, ice creams, etc. ... they usually say to me, "If I could eat like this every day I'd go vegetarian!" To which I reply emphatically, "You can, so do it!"
My point is that as vegetarians and vegans we should not feel as if the food we are offering people is somehow inferior, we do not NEED to resort to trickery to get people to eat it. Those who are ready to try it will, and those who are not ready will not try it (you shouldn't force the issue), but one thing is certain, more and more people ARE trying it and learning how delicious these foods can be. Prepare good food and people will eat it. Rather than trying to trick people, why not host a vegan dinner party at your house, or invite some friends over for vegan ice cream and a movie? No trickery needed!
As little kids, many of our parents tricked us into taking our medicine because it tasted really bad, but there's absolutely no reason to trick people into eating something that tastes as good as veggie foods! Go vegan ... for the animals, and the taste!"
-Eric Weiss, FaunaVision / Oasis Sanctuary
