If you have been vegan for a while, you are probably aware of some struggles with the vegan lifestyle. One of those problems is knowing which products you should and should not buy. Some vegan products are not always worth the money. Some are just plain bad, and others might be worth the price tag if you have a lot of disposable income. Here is a list of vegan products that are not worth your money!
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Vegan Cheese
Yes, vegan cheese is a thing. No, it does not taste like real cheese. If you want to try vegan cheese in the store, make sure you buy it from somewhere where they give samples. Otherwise, you might end up wasting money on something that tastes gross and doesn’t melt the way real cheese would! One suggestion for vegan cheese is to try making your own at home using different ingredients. This way, you can make the cheese taste however you like it!
Vegan Mayo
Another thing that most experienced vegans know about is that vegan mayo does not taste like real mayonnaise. It gets pretty expensive buying vegan mayo by the jar, so buy it in small amounts and try not to use it too much at once. After all, it is possible to make your own vegan mayonnaise. You will need 1/2 cup safflower oil, 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon dry mustard, and salt to taste. These are the basic ingredients for making vegan mayo. Once you have tried it out a few times, consider adding things like garlic or basil to give it some extra flavor!
Vegan “Meat”
Eating vegan versions of meat like beef and chicken is a struggle for many vegans. Not only does it not taste like the real thing, but some vegan meats have been known to give people intestinal upset or food poisoning. If you buy vegan meats from the grocery store, be sure to get them from a reliable brand. Some recommended brands are Gardein and Beyond Meat because they taste better than most other vegan meats and aren’t too expensive.
Vegan Creamer
If you are looking for a cream substitute to put in your coffee, know that not all vegan creamers are created equally. Some brands of vegan creamer contain hydrogenated oils, which are usually bad for your health. They also often have processed sugars added, which are also bad for your health. Instead of wasting money on creamer, try making your own at home! All you need is non-dairy milk of your choice, some vanilla extract, and a sweetener of your choice. This way, you can control what goes in the creamer, so it tastes just how you want it to taste without worrying about any extra processed ingredients.
Vegan Ice Cream
If you are looking for a vegan alternative to ice cream, keep in mind that not all vegan ice cream taste even close to the same. Many flavors of this creamy dessert are made with cheap ingredients like soybean oil, which might not be good for your health. Soybean oil can affect hormones and cholesterol levels. If you absolutely must buy vegan ice cream, try to do so from a reputable brand. Some brands that vegans recommend include Coconut Bliss and So Delicious.
Coconut Yogurt
Coconut yogurt is another dairy-free substitute for yogurt. It has become popular in vegan and vegetarian communities, but there are many reasons you should not buy this product. Many brands will add sugars to their coconut yogurt, which is bad for your health. Also, the only ingredient that most companies use when making coconut yogurt is coconuts, but some companies are adding more ingredients that are not good for your health. Lastly, coconut yogurt is hard on people’s digestive systems because of its high coconut content. These products do not usually taste like traditional yogurt, and it’s probably best to save your money.
Conclusion
There are a lot of vegan products on the market that reviewers and Instagrammers have hyped up. If these items seem too good to be true, they probably are! Before spending money on any food or beverage, do some research to make sure that it will taste how you want it to taste. If you want all the deliciousness of an animal product without any of the guilt, try making vegan versions of your favorite foods at home in your own kitchen!
