September
2005
Editorial:
Your Veggie Wish List
By Sangamithra Iyer
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There are many reasons to go veg—the animals, the earth, your
health, and because it tastes so good. That’s right, being veg*n
has never been tastier and perhaps that’s why over 70 percent
of those who participated in last month’s special Satya poll, “Your
Veggie Wish List,” categorize themselves as vegan.
Talking about—and eating—fauna-free food is something we
all enjoy, and this issue of Satya celebrates that fact. Here is a
brief summary of our
poll results.
If you could make any one food item animal- free, what would it be?
There were lots of interesting and varied answers for this one, like challah
bread and your grandma’s home cooking, but the number one item people want
animal-free is cheese, with pizza falling not far behind. Dessert items like
pastries, donuts, chocolates, ice creams and candies are also weak spots for
most of us. Notable commentary included the need to remove animal ingredients
like whey, casein, and eggs from already vegetarian products.
Almost ten percent of pollsters see the glass half full, pleased with the plethora
of options and analogs available to us and feel that every food they crave has
a satisfying animal-free version already.
What veg product would you like to see more commercially available?
Veggie faux meats and vegan cheeses—specifically Follow Your Heart—are
the items most requested. Vegan ice creams, with special shout-outs to Soy Delicious
and Tofutti, are also high on the most requested list. For the sweettooths out
there, you aren’t alone. Satya readers want more vegan baked goods and
chocolates available at their local coffee shop.
There is also a strong desire for more convenience foods like frozen dinners
and quick healthy eats (including raw products).
What veg*n foods do we need to improve?
Consistent with the answers from the first two questions, the overwhelming majority
of pollsters felt vegan cheese (including mac ‘n’ cheese) was the
one item most needing improvement. About 10 percent think that faux meats can
be improved on. Specific comments suggest that the flavors could be improved
and that existing faux products are overly processed. Concern was also expressed
about making sure faux meats are GMO-free and vegan.
It seems like we are doing a good job on the vegan ice cream and baked goods
front, though, with complaints from only a small percent. Other remarks included
improving the image of soy and tofu.
A small percentage of you are happy with all that is out there.
What and where is your favorite vegetarian restaurant in your home town?
Thanks for your feedback on this question and we will update our restaurant guide
on the web with your suggestions. Yes, we New Yorkers know how spoiled we are
when it comes to vegetarian restaurants. With Foodswings, Candle Café,
Red Bamboo, the Angelica Kitchen, and many more, this was a difficult question
for NYC locals, but many Satya readers in the U.S. and around the globe are living
strong and veg even without a vegetarian restaurant in their home town.
What’s your favorite veg cookbook?
There’s a bunch of you who either don’t cook or don’t need
cookbooks, but there are many wonderful cookbooks used and adored by Satya readers.
How it All Vegan by Sarah Kramer and Tanya Barnard was the most popular and PETA’s
The Compassionate Cook, came in second place. Various ones by Molly Katsen are
also widely cherished, as well as Vegan Planet.
Which of the following best describes your eating habits?
a. Vegetarian: Flesh Free 16.5%
b. Vegan: No animal products whatsoever 71%
c. Freegan: Waste conscious dumpster diver 1%
d. Raw: Nothing heated above 116 degrees please 0.5%
e. Fruitarian: Just fruit and nuts 0%
f. Pescatarian: No land animals 7%
g. Flexitarian: I go both ways 2%
h. Crunchy: Free range and organic omnivore 0.5%
i. Omnivore: Anyone and Anything 0%
j. Still Figuring it out 1.5%
Thanks to all of the Satya readers who took the time to share their very important
thoughts and wishes with us in this poll. Three lucky pollsters will be receiving
a Satya T-shirt in the mail soon.
Sangamithra Iyer
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