When food comes up the subject comes up and some people have a more guilt driven reaction to the topic. My impression is that they feel bad about knowing about the animal abuse and environmental damage, but not having the personal resolve to do something about it. They feel guilty and probably feel like I would be judging them so they make up these scenarios to feel less bad about the whole thing.
Why do you think they feel compelled to lie to you?
When food comes up the subject comes up and some people have a more guilt driven reaction to the topic. My impression is that they feel bad about knowing about the animal abuse and environmental damage, but not having the personal resolve to do something about it. They feel guilty and probably feel like I would be judging them so they make up these scenarios to feel less bad about the whole thing.
That you are judging them is the correct answer
I think my supposed judgment of others would not motivate them to lie to me or themselves if they had no guilt to go with it.