When we first because vegetarians in 2013, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that the answer to the question, “Are Fritos vegan?” is a surprising, YES! Fritos are vegan! However, this only includes the regular, scoops, and BBQ varieties. All others are NOT vegan.
Unfortunately, we were also surprised to find that several foods we thought were vegan (or at least veg-friendly), were not!
This inspired us to produce a podcast called, “Foods that Seem Vegetarian But Are Not”. This topic recently had a lot of activity in our closed Facebook group, the Peas and Carrots Society so we decided it was time to take a second look.
This time around we considered the vegan perspective instead of vegetarian, so in this episode, we share some foods that seem like they should be vegan (no animal by-products at all) but aren’t, as well those that are surprisingly vegan.
Let’s Play a Game! Is it Veg-Friendly or Not?
In this episode of our podcast, Larissa and I play a game of “Is it Veg-friendly” or not?” Without giving you the answers right away, I’ll give you some information around ingredients to watch out for if you are following a strict vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. This will also give you some clues if you choose to play the game with us while listening to this episode of the podcast.
You can listen to the podcast here or read on for a high-level summary.
Foods with Gelatin
Gelatin contains connective tissues, skin, and bones of animals.
Foods with Whey and Casein
Whey and Casein are both dairy products.
Foods with Cochineal or Carmine
Used often in red candies it’s derived from ground cochineal scale insects.
Foods with Rennet
Rennet is an enzyme used in certain cheeses. This enzyme comes from the stomach lining of goats and cows. The good news is, some cheese made from vegetable rennet so be sure to read the label!
Foods with Omega 3
While there are plant-sources of omega 3 such as chia and hemp seeds, some foods that proclaim “heart-healthy” benefits can include fish oil.
Foods with Vitamin D3
Some cereals that are “fortified with vitamin D” contain fish oil or lanolin, the latter of which is derived from sheep’s wool.
Foods with L-Cysteine
L-cysteine is an amino acid that is often used to help soften certain foods such as bread and other bakery items. It’s derived from poultry feathers.
So now you have a few things to consider when trying to guess whether the things we mention in the podcast are veg-friendly or not. Play along with us and then leave a comment below letting us know which food surprised you the most!
Let the Game Begin!
Is Sugar Vegan?
That depends. Most raw sugar is refined using bone char. This isn’t just white sugar. Brown sugar and confectioner’s sugar can also contain bone char. The good news is that because bone char is not on the National Organic Program’s List of Allowed substances, you can simply look for the organic label when buying sugar and be assured your sugar is bone char-free.
Are Altoids Breath Mints Vegan?
Nope. They contain gelatin.
Are Bananas Vegan?
This one surprised me even more than sugar! Unless they are organic, bananas are not vegan. Conventional bananas are sprayed with a bacteria-fighting compound made of shrimp and crab shells. Organic growers do not use this compound.
Is Orange Juice Vegan?
Not all orange juice is vegan. Those that are fortified with vitamin D can contain either lanolin (from sheep’s wool) or fish oil. Vitamin D2 is from plants but D3 is from animals. Some juices that say “heart-healthy” also can contain omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil.
Are Oreos Vegan?
Sort of. While the cookies themselves do not contain any non-vegan ingredients, the Oreos (UK) site lists milk as a possible cross-contact (which means that the cookies might be made in a machine also used to produce foods made with milk).
Are Marshmallows Vegan?
Most traditional marshmallows contain gelatin, so the answer is generally “no”. However, thank goodness for Dandies Marshmallows, which are vegan!
Dandies Vegan Marshmallows - Non-GMO Project Verified
- Perfect For S'mores, Crispy Treats or Hot Chocolate
- All Natural Marshmallows
- Vegan & Kosher
- Contains No Gelatin or Gluten
Is Marinara Sauce Vegan?
Some, but not all! Check the label for dairy products such as whey.
Are Jujubes and Jujyfruits Vegan?
Yes!
Are Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts Vegan?
No. Some nuts use gelatin as an adhesive to help the salt and other flavorings stick to the nut. Your best bet is to get peanuts in the shells.
Are Bacon Bits Vegan?
Yes! Surprisingly, most commercially packaged bacon bits do not contain actual bacon and are vegan.
Are Veggie Burgers Vegan?
While veggie burgers are vegetarian-friendly, they aren’t necessarily vegan-friendly as they can contain whey.
Are McDonald’s French Fries Vegan?
No. McDonalds was actually sued by several vegetarians and Hindus because they advertised that their fries were cooked in vegetable oil while, in fact, they are flavored with beef tallow (fat). The good news is that while McDonald’s still hasn’t changed it’s fry recipes, many fast food restaurants do in fact use vegetable oil.
Is Cap’n Crunch Cereal Vegan?
Thank goodness, YES! Just remember some cereals that are “fortified with vitamin D” contain fish oil or lanolin which is derived from sheep’s wool.
Is Worcestershire Sauce Vegan?
No. Many varieties contain anchovies; however, some brands are beginning to produce vegan versions, including Annie’s Organic Vegan Worcestershire Sauce.
Vote with Your Dollars!
Hopefully, we’ve provided you with some guidance about what to look for when it comes to determining whether a food is vegetarian and/or vegan so that you can make educated choices about what you buy for you and your family.
The good news is, companies are starting to pay more attention to ingredients and to making their products more veg-friendly, so hopefully the list of veg-friendly foods will continue to grow!
Looking to go vegan? Check out the Vegan Starter Kit from Nutritiously to help you make a healthy vegan diet work all in one place!
Everything you need to make a healthy vegan diet work in one place! Bundle includes:
- Vegan Recipe eBook
- 2-Week Meal Plan
- From A to Vegan Main eBook
- Restaurant Guide
- FAQs Answered eBook
- Build Your Bowl Formulas
- Printables & Cheat Sheets
- No-Risk 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
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Further Reading and Resources Used for this Episode:
- Oreo FAQ (UK)
- 9 Foods You Think Are Vegetarian-But Are Definitely Not
- Is Your Sugar Vegan?
- 20 Vegetarian Foods That Surprisingly Aren’t
- Surprising Foods You Think Are Vegan But Aren’t
- The Surprising Reason Your Orange Juice Might Not Be Vegan
- I Heard That Some Vegetarians Sued McDonalds
- 28 Foods and Ingredients to Avoid on a Vegan Diet
- Salted Peanuts Aren’t Always Vegan
Recipe of the Week
Product of the Week
- A vegetarian alternative to bacon, for sprinkling on eggs, salads and side dishes
- All-Natural, Kosher
- Bacon-less Bits, Non-Irradiated
- Frontier is a member-owned co-op, responsible to people and planet
Thanks for listening!
Peace and Veggies,
Vickie and Larissa