People whose main diet has always been meat are used to being able to put one thing (a cut of meat) in a pan with some seasoning and have it be the primary component of a meal that could likely satisfy on its own. Any veggies are always an accessory supplement to the meal. Maybe they enjoy them, maybe it’s for the health benefits, but they are always on the side or as a garnish and would never satisfy on their own.

When they try to imagine omitting meat from their diet, they replace it 1-for-1 with vegetables and imagine a chunk of some vegetable (like cabbage in this instance) as the main component of meal. I’ve been to restaurants that need a token menu item for vegans/vegetarians so they serve literally what I just described and it’s always disappointing and never satisfying.

But most vegans/vegetarians know that making a good, satisfying meal without meat goes beyond that format of one primary component with optional accessory details. It requires a little more effort and some imagination but a well constructed meal without meat is just as (if not subjectively more) satisfying/healthy/delicious as one with meat.