When you think of vegan foods, what comes to mind? Probably things like fruits, vegetables, and grains. But what about foods that you wouldn’t expect to be vegan? Many surprising items are not considered vegan due to their ingredients or production methods. And for many people looking to switch to a plant-based lifestyle, these foods can be a shock. This article will look at some of the most unexpected non-vegan foods, from honey to marshmallows. Stay tuned for some interesting information!
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What Makes A Food Vegan?
Simply put, food is vegan when it does not contain animal products. This includes meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, and other animal by-products. In addition, vegans avoid using animal-derived ingredients such as gelatin, casein, and carmine. In addition to ingredients, the way food is produced can make it non-vegan. For example, some wines contain animal-derived products such as egg whites and gelatin. So, even if a food doesn’t have animal products, it can still be considered non-vegan. For those trying to follow a vegan lifestyle, it’s important to be aware of all the foods that are not considered vegan—understanding what makes a food non-vegan can help you make better choices when grocery shopping and eating out.
Honey
One of the most confusing items out there is honey. So many people believe that honey is a vegan product, but this is not the case. Bees make honey, and bees are animals. Bees manufacture honey from nectar, a sugary substance secreted by flowers. Bees must insert their long tongues into the flower’s pistil to collect nectar. This process can damage the flower and prevent it from reproducing. Furthermore, bees are often killed during the honey-making process. To harvest honey, beekeepers smoke the bees out of their hives and then remove the honeycomb. The bees are then typically killed or sold to other beekeepers. As a result, honey is not a vegan product, and its production contributes to animal suffering.
Chocolate
Chocolate lovers might be surprised to learn that their favorite treat is not always vegan. While chocolate is made from cacao beans, which are plant-based, many of the other ingredients are of animal origin. For example, milk and cream are common additions to chocolate, as are butter and eggs. As a result, vegans who want to enjoy chocolate must be careful to choose brands that do not use these animal-derived ingredients. Some companies have started producing vegan chocolate made using only plant-based ingredients. However, these products can be more expensive and harder to find than traditional chocolate. For vegans who want to indulge their sweet tooth, researching vegan-friendly brands is well worth the effort.
Sugar
Although it might seem like a simple ingredient, sugar is often not vegan. This is because sugar cane is often processed with animal products like bone char. Bone char is made by heating animal bones to high temperatures, and it removes impurities from the sugar. As a result, many vegans choose to avoid sugar with bone char. In addition, some sugar companies use beeswax to coat their sugar products. This means that vegans who consume sugar may inadvertently be consuming beeswax, an animal product. For these reasons, vegans should check the labels of any sugar products before consuming them. By doing so, they can be sure they are not consuming animal-based ingredients.
Bread
Though veganism is on the rise, with more and more people looking to ditch animal products for ethical or environmental reasons, the ingredients in bread can still trip up those trying to avoid them. That’s because many breads, even ones that don’t contain eggs or dairy, rely on “milk powder” or “whey,” which are both derived from milk. In addition, some types of bread contain honey, an animal by-product. Furthermore, some forms of bread contain l-cysteine, an amino acid often sourced from duck feathers. As a result, vegans must be careful when choosing bread, as common varieties are unsuitable for their diet. However, there are a growing number of vegan-friendly breads on the market, so it’s getting easier to find options that fit a vegan lifestyle.
Miso Soup
Many people believe miso soup is a vegan dish, as it is typically made with vegetable broth and does not contain any meat or dairy products. However, traditional Japanese soup contains dashi, a type of fish broth. This broth is what gives miso soup its distinct flavor. As a result, vegans should avoid miso soup unless it contains vegan-friendly dashi or broth. If you want a Japanese soup suitable for vegans, try vegan udon soup. This soup is made with a vegetable-based broth and contains no animal products.
Be Care To Avoid Foods That Aren’t Vegan!
While veganism is on the rise, many people are still unaware of the animal-based ingredients commonly found in everyday foods. By reading labels and being aware of common non-vegan ingredients, vegans can ensure they are not accidentally consuming animal products. And although there are a growing number of vegan-friendly products on the market, it’s still important to be careful when choosing food items. The truth is there are plenty of surprising foods that aren’t vegan!
