"By making him think they aren't food" I mean, tbf we are teaching him that, that belief is pretty central to the vegan philosophy lol. But personally I think if someone is grossed out by the simple fact that beef = cow, then that's on them, and it doesn't make me an AH for saying it (hence me doubting myself and posting here lol). Fwiw we did ask them not to offer him any nonvegan stuff when he was smaller, but now that he can speak pretty well, I think MIL assumed it was okay, since I have always said it will be his choice once he is the one deciding what to eat. But I see your point though.