Those who have chosen vegetarianism in order to avoid the dangers of a flesh-based diet must also avoid the pitfall of harmful meat substitutes such as meat analogs. The cell-destroying excitotoxins in them not only stimulate appetite but also are associated with food addiction.ⁱ

Meat Analogues

Some “health food” stores sell meat analogs—vegetarian meat replacements, usually soy-based—and various broths and gravies to accompany them. They are sold to support transitions from flesh-based diets to vegetarian diets. However, each label’s list of ingredients, without exception, contained neurotoxins.

In addition to various other harmful ingredients such as refined sugars and propylene glycol (also found in antifreeze), meat analogs almost always contain MSG.

Autolyzed yeast is also a common ingredient. Some packages say “No MSG,” but these claims are deceptive because the MSG is just replaced by another excitotoxin, autolyzed yeast.

Only informed label-readers would be aware of the misleading nature of these claims; those who take labels at face value are at risk for cell death.

Textured Vegetable Proteins

Textured vegetable protein (TVP) and soy protein isolate are used by some vegetarians as ground meat substitutes in chili, meatloaves, fillers, and stuffing. TVP and soy protein isolate are extremely processed. In addition, vitamins, minerals, fats, amino acids and enzymes have been removed in processing. What’s left is essentially a synthetic food, which the body can neither recognize nor utilize. It is a stressor rather than a benefit.

Remember, our God-given counsel is simple foods, simply prepared (Gospel Workers, 362). More nutritious, more digestible, less concentrated protein alternatives exist. Foods such as unprocessed grains and legumes do not stress the liver and digestive organs the way processed foods do.

The same applies to meat substitutes that contain concentrated wheat gluten. While those foods do not always contain excitotoxins, the liver is greatly burdened as it works to rid the body of this manufactured, alien protein. In contrast, a simple diet of variety of grains, legumes, vegetables, and nuts can give us all the good protein we need without harming our digestive organs.

Back to Damaged Minds, or ahead to the next article: Aspartame