My Wife and I were having a debate if eating that fake meat stuff in the grocery isle is considered cheating during Lent?
Let’s settle this once and for many : )
Note: I also think eating fish is kind of cheating to ; )
It’s not cheating because it’s disgusting. I can’t even fathom why someone would want to eat that stuff.
If it’s not meat, it’s not meat.
My wife and I had a similar discussion when we got married over chicken flavored ramen noodles. I read the ingredients on the flavor pack and it said artificial flavoring. My conscience is clear.
I also feel like fish is cheating, but I roll with it.
Those Yves products are a travesty. They hurt my stomach. They taste like the plastic they are encased in
I think we are supposed to be giving something up. If we eat a variant of the item, it’s because we just don’t want to give it up. At least that’s how I view it.
I think you and I are in the minority 
The whole point is to give up something. Eating plant based meat is trying to avoid giving back to God.
The abstinence is offering something to God as a sin offering. Using a substitute is offering something else. If you can total abstinence is better.
MDD2299,
re: “I also feel like fish is cheating, but I roll with it.”
What does the Church say?