If vegetarians are so against meat why do they make everything taste like meat?

[VeggieTart]

Most vegetarians and vegans grew up eating meat or were raised by omnivores. Many of us like the texture of meat and the taste of the seasonings, which is what you taste when you eat actual animal flesh. (I can't imagine a meat eater who would eat a plain hunk of cow without cooking and seasoning it, can you?)

As others have pointed out, the analogues make it easier to avoid animal foods and the associated cruelty. They taste good (though not really like "meat" as I recall it), they have a nice texture, and they have far less fat and no cholesterol. If I'm with a group of omnivores, I'm going to want a veggie burger while they eat their cowburgers, even though it surely doesn't taste the same.

I think it makes vegetarianism more accessible and less threatening to people.