<p>Is there something wrong with having a “bland” palate? People like what they like. There is no moral virtue in liking or disliking the taste or texture of a particular food. Stop making it about superiority.</p>
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<p>It could be for people in transition, those that are cutting back on meat as part of their diet but want a similar look/taste/texture.</p>
<p>I go to this Thai place where they make tofu that tastes better than a sirloin steak. I went on a tofu binge for a month. My wife said, “You’re gonna get tired of that, you know.” I did, but it still serves to prove the point that well-made tofu can out-compete the meat.</p>
<p>Limp, squishy tofu, though, no thank you.</p>
<p>Limp, squishy tofu cubes are pretty good in miso soup.</p>
<p>It may be an acquired taste, BCEagle. I had my wife try the soft tofu in soup and she said it tasted “sorta like phlegm”. She’s not the most mature person, but neither am I. And after that description, I have since never gotten that synesthetic image out of my mind. I no longer enjoy soft, squishy, evasive, slippery tofu.</p>
<p>Just don’t get me started on why I won’t eat lobster anymore.</p>
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<p>I was talking about anyone who works out regularly, as in the generic form, because I would hate for anyone to read this thread and think they could maintain a healthy work out schedule and neglect their protein intake… which doesn’t necessarily have to come from meat. In fact, tonight we’re having crock pot black beans served over brown rice for dinner.</p>
<p>I don’t understand the stinky tofu comment.
I thought part of the appeal of tofu was that it didn’t have a strong taste or smell of its own, and so was good to add to dishes where it could add substance as well as soak up other favors.</p>
<p>Soft fluffy tofu is good in miso soup or scrambles, denser tofu especially what you get after freezing it, is good in garlicky stir fries.</p>
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<p>D1 and I are addicted to those Morningstar breakfast sausages. They’re relatively low-calorie (160 calories in a two-patty serving), high in protein, and a fast and tasty (if salty) breakfast. Our local Trader Joe’s used to run out of them regularly–talking to other customers, it was clear that there are lots of fans. Costco now stocks them cheaper than TJ’s. </p>
<p>We aren’t vegetarians (mostly but not entirely)–but why wouldn’t a vegetarian want to eat something that emulates meat? One can be a vegetarian and still love the taste of meat. And at a BBQ, it’s just a lot easier to throw a veggie patty/sausage on the grill rather than bring or make a vegetarian dish. There are lots of great veggieburgers that make no pretense of being fake meat (TJ’s masala burgers, for starters…mmmmm…) but if I’m going to be putting on cheese and BBQ sauce and sliced tomatoes and sauteed mushrooms etc etc etc on a veggieburger I prefer the plain ordinary fake meat look and taste, myself.</p>
<p>MiamiDAP- I think it’s been established that you have very poor knowledge about nutrition and fitness and I wanted to post this just for future readers of this thread. </p>
<p>Protein is necessary and I’m sure even MiamiDAP has some sources of protein that she doesn’t realize- perhaps the ice cream she eats for breakfast is fortified???</p>
<p>Love tofu. Whole Foods usually has it packaged under $2. Love Quorn. The issue with protein may be getting the balance of amino acids- that’s where Quinoa comes in. Love that, too.
Vegetarian isn’t always about simulating meat taste. It can be about appreciating alternatives. Love homemade nut burgers (not the flat silliness sold in stores.) Also black bean burgers. </p>
<p>I grill extra firm tofu in the George Forman, usually just a little oo and lemon pepper. Don’t like it so much dolled up in thick sauces. It does have some taste, to me, though I can’t tell you what it is.</p>
<p>^ Yeah, I like the Morningstar fake bacon- it’s an acquired taste. Better choice than my addiction to real bacon. Around here, Target usually has the best prices on M’star.</p>
<p>I’ve tried tofu numerous times. When my aunt’s Chinese grandmother made tofu, it was superb. Nothing has ever been even close to hers though so I’ve more or less given up. </p>
<p>Every once in a while, another aunt will make it decent enough that I can eat it with BBQ sauce (don’t judge :p). I just… don’t like tofu. I don’t really use meat substitutes… I just make different dishes as I’m a vegetarian. Once in a while I will use boca burgers or something but that’s about my limit. </p>
<p>Skipping protein is one of the worst suggestions I’ve ever heard.</p>
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<p>Um… because people are vegetarians for a variety of reasons and almost none of them are because they don’t like the look of hamburger patties or something. For me, it’s about inhumane conditions that animals are kept in as well as dietary issues. So, I can eat fake burgers (and I do sometimes) because they’re not A) made out of animal and B) they won’t react negatively to my stomach.</p>
<p>Before I became a vegetarian, I loved fried hamburger meat. Why should I give up that? “Fake” burgers come pretty darn close. </p>
<p>Now if only I could find a fake honey baked “ham”. That’s about the only thing I ever miss…</p>
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<p>Can you tell me a good, readily available brand? (And we don’t have TJ’s.)</p>
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<p>Chowhound was not enamored of this Mark Bittman 10 minute recipe, but I and my oddball family like this over rice:</p>
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<p>My husband gets Chipotle black bean burgers at COSTCO. He can’t remember the brand but we love them.</p>
<p>I love Morningstar’s fake corn dogs, they are fantastic. I’m not a vegetarian, but fake corn dogs have less calories than real corn dogs, and I’m wary about the ingredients of real hot dogs anyway.</p>
<p>Do they make high protein donuts, MOWC?</p>
<p>I eat a whole package of soft tofu with soy sauce and hot sauce for breakfast.</p>
<p>We love Korean tofu hot pot with seafood/meat/mushroom.</p>
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<p>If we’re talking bland to the point of liking to eat raw tofu by itself or in dishes with little/no seasoning, no unless the one with the palate doesn’t realize that many other folks may not share that level of blandness and from my own and others’ experiences…don’t appreciate being lectured by the health nut contingent among them about the “virtues” of having such a palate. </p>
<p>There’s a bit of a puritanical streak in the latter aspect and seems to be a recurring theme in Western/US history/culture. The history of how breakfast cereals like Corn Flakes started out is a good case study. It started as health food in the late 19th century by a group of 7th Day Adventists who preached the virtues of an extremely bland flavored diet and suspicious of “excessive” sweet/spicy foods.</p>
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<p>Everybody needs at least some protein, whether working out or not; what isn’t clear is how much is best. Typical daily recommendations are about 1 gram of protein per kg of body weight (for adults, anywhere from 40 g to 75 g are typical).</p>
<p>But rough numbers suggest that most meat-eating Americans get more than enough protein, every person you know in health-related fields notwithstanding. </p>
<p>Per capita average U.S. meat consumption: about 1/2 pound per day, conservatively.
Approx. protein in meat per ounce: about 10 grams.
So, average protein consumed per day: about 80 grams.</p>
<p>And this ignores cheese and other dairy consumption. If the median is close to the average, these numbers suggest that the majority of Americans get more than enough protein.</p>