The "food" is terrible. Which is why compliance is so difficult. And when they swear off the junk food they try raw vegan, which makes things worse, especially in the protein and fat categories. And it has a special sting in the tail for weight loss. Either it's a different kind of junk food or it's real food but in unbalanced quantities. Either way, there's no satisfaction because the body will be signaling its displeasure.

I also think, for civilians, "meatless" is a hard sell with restaurant dining, especially when it comes to the main course. Vegan restaurants can offer frankenfoods which taste worse over time. This is why vegans online are selling so many new products. They get desperate for something that satisfies but it's protein and fat that their body is begging for.

But even a real sub, like broccoli florets instead of real chicken, in whatever they bread and dip in sauce, has drawbacks, and we're still at appetizers. Honestly, what kind of elevated side dish feels "worth it" compared to getting turkey with real cheese in the mac and cheese?

In every case, it feels like overpaying. Which is how Meatless Mondays didn't become Wildly Vegan Weeks. Everyone knows what people give up for Lent, even if they aren't of that practice.

Even before vegan restaurants became a minefield of lab products, I'm not the only one coming away from that "pure and healthy meal" with gut issues. The more they eat this way, the worse things can become.

Hard sell!