Vegetarians and vegans have many options to choose from when craving a meat alternative. Vegan chicken, an imitation meat product designed to taste like poultry, is a popular vegan food. Vegan poultry can be made of a variety of ingredients, and is usually a healthier alternative to regular chicken products.
Imitation chicken has the same texture, and often the same flavor as regular poultry. The most common ingredient in vegan poultry is soy. Soy chicken can be flavored with a variety of other ingredients as well. These can include garlic, onion, dehydrated vegetables, herbs, and various leavening agents.
Vegan chicken is available in most of the same ways regular poultry is packaged. It can be purchased with or without breading, in grilled strips, in nuggets, patties, and many other ways. In the same way as chicken, it can be used in anything from sandwiches to baked entrees, salads to stir-fry dishes. It can be grilled, pan-fried, barbecued, or cooked in any way that other meats can be cooked. They retain sauce, herbs, and flavorings like chicken normally would.
In many instances, vegan food is more costly than meat. This is typically because there is a lower demand for these foods in most chain supermarkets. They often contain higher quality ingredients, which can make them more costly as well. While not every grocery store carries veggie chicken, most health food stores do.
Several packaged faux chicken options are also available. These include precooked chicken burgers, microwave entrees, and gourmet vegan food. Vegan chicken can be incorporated into any snack or meal, whether it is a vegan breakfast, vegan lunch, or vegan dinner. Common canned or packaged popular foods, such as chicken noodle soup, may also be purchased with vegan chicken as an alternative.
Some vegans choose to refrain from eating meat due to ethical concerns with the way animals are treated in the farming industry. Others may choose to consume vegan whole foods for dietary reasons. Vegan diet food is typically lower in fat and cholesterol than a diet that includes meat. Some people may also require a special needs diet including vegan food in order to avoid hormones or other additives commonly found in meat.
Another benefit from eating vegan chicken is that it can be easier to cook. Many varieties are pre-seasoned with favorite additions, such as spicy seasoning blends or vegan cheese. This can cut costs and time when preparing food, as additional products, such as sauces or seasonings, are no longer necessary.
