Pictured Recipe: Vegan Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Banana Bites
Sure, you know to avoid meat, dairy, eggs and fish when you're vegan. But it's not always easy for an experienced vegan to tell which foods are free of animal-based ingredients, and it can be even harder for someone new to vegan eating to decide which foods are truly vegan. It's important to double-check labels and ingredient lists to avoid hidden animal-based ingredients in your foods and beverages.
Here are 13 foods that aren't always vegan that you might want to watch out for.
Read More: 4 Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet (and a Few Potential Drawbacks)
1. Chocolate
Cocoa itself is vegan, but sometimes milk or milk products are added—even to dark chocolate. Many chocolate brands call out if their product is vegan, but check the ingredient list for dairy (including whey and casein).
2. Beer and Wine
Isinglass, a gelatin-based substance derived from fish, is used as a clarifying agent in some beer and wine. Other non-vegan ingredients sometimes used are casein (from milk) and egg whites. Since those ingredients aren't listed on wines and beers, you should ask a store employee or contact the brand if you have questions.
3. Candy
Sugary sweets like gummies, sour candies and marshmallows may contain gelatin. Gelatin is derived from animal collagen and would be listed as an ingredient. Many candies are made with other vegan thickening agents, such as agar-agar.
4. Sugar
Table sugar is made from either sugarcane or sugar beets, both completely plant-based ingredients. Some sugar is processed with bone char, which is used in the refining process and helps whiten sugar. Sugar certified as USDA organic is not allowed to use bone char, and many brands have started calling out when they are vegan.
5. Non-Dairy Creamers
Don't be fooled by the non-dairy description—many of these creamers contain small amounts (less than 2%) of sodium caseinate, a milk-based derivative.
6. Red Foods
Some red-dyed food and drinks (e.g., yogurt, juices, sodas and candies) may contain an ingredient called carmine (or cochineal or carminic acid), which is derived from an insect, cochineal scale. Look at the ingredient list on foods made with red dye.
7. Worcestershire Sauce
Although vegan-friendly brands are available, traditional recipes for this condiment include anchovies.
8. Veggie Burgers
Many veggie burgers contain eggs or dairy, so check the labels. Luckily, you can easily find vegan varieties at the store.
9. Honey
Honey is a little controversial among the vegan community. Because it comes from bees, many (but not all) vegans choose to avoid honey.
10. Miso Soup
Many restaurants use a fish-based broth (dashi) to make their miso soup, so ask if there is a vegetarian version on the menu. However, the ingredient miso is vegan-friendly and you can make vegan miso soup at home.
11. Bread
Some breads may contain milk, eggs, butter or other animal byproducts.
12. Soy-Based Yogurts and Cheeses
You would think these products would be vegan, but they are not always. Read the label to make sure these soy-based products do not contain the milk-based protein casein.
13. Omega-3 Fortified Products
Foods like yogurt, eggs, and milk may have added omega-3s. Most foods contain a vegan source of these heart-healthy fats, but check the labels for fish-based ingredients like tilapia, sardine and anchovy.
FAQs
Most peanut butter is vegan
Some types may also contain other additives and ingredients like molasses, sugar, or agave syrup — all of which are considered vegan. Therefore, most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet.
What surprising foods aren t vegan? ›
Surprising Foods That Are Not Vegan-Friendly
- Sugar. Some companies in the United States use bone char while processing sugar. ...
- Honey. Honey is a controversial food for many vegans. ...
- Bread. Some types of bread are vegan, but many are not. ...
- Dairy-Free Creamer. ...
- Candy. ...
- Red Colored Foods. ...
- Nuts. ...
- Cereal.
Most peanut butter is vegan
Some types may also contain other additives and ingredients like molasses, sugar, or agave syrup — all of which are considered vegan. Therefore, most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet.
Are Ritz crackers vegan? ›
Yes, Ritz Crackers are vegan. I don't know if I'd go as far as to say whether they're actually tasty or not but a lot of people do like them and it turns out that you can eat them if you're lactose-intolerant, so go figure. Buy these if you're interested in adhering to a plant-based diet and enjoy Ritz Crackers.
What foods are considered vegan? ›
Essentially, vegans eat everything and anything that comes from plants: fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, grains, seeds and pulses. Your favourite quick lunch of beans on toast?
Is coffee vegan? ›
You can either buy your beans whole and grind them up at home or buy them already ground. Either way, coffee is both a vegetarian and vegan beverage because there are no animal products involved in its journey from bean to cup!
Is Pasta considered vegan? ›
Is Pasta Vegan? Unfortunately, not all pasta is vegan. We've found pastas of all varieties, from spaghetti to lasagna noodles, with eggs in the ingredient lists. But don't worry—there are widely available vegan pastas that don't involve eggs or dairy and don't skimp on the texture you've come to love.
Are potato chips vegan? ›
The widely hailed "LAYS Classic Original" chips contain potatoes, vegetable oil, and salt—none of which are animal-derived. Alas, many varieties with added ingredients and seasonings can still be vegan.
What chocolate is surprisingly vegan? ›
1 Ritter Sport
This German chocolate company has a dedicated vegan category on its website these days, but it's been making dairy-free chocolate for years without the label. The Salted Caramel; Roasted Peanut; Crunchy Whole Hazelnuts; and Vegan Smooth are just a few of its vegan offerings.
Are Oreos vegan? ›
Many vegans refer to Oreos as “accidentally vegan,” meaning they don't contain animal products — but they weren't created to be a specifically vegan treat. Oreos do not contain milk, eggs, or any other animal-derived products, so they are technically vegan in that sense.
Since 1966, Doritos has satisfied customers' snack cravings with their flavored tortilla chips. But unfortunately for vegans, only one variety is vegan-friendly: Spicy Sweet Chili. The other Doritos flavors contain various dairy products and animal-derived flavors, none of which are vegan.
What kind of candy can a vegan eat? ›
Fortunately, loads of candies are vegan, so we can indulge our cravings (mostly) guilt-free. Most dark chocolate is vegan, as are popular sweet treats such as Smarties (known as Rockets in Canada), Oreos, Airheads, Jujubes, and Swedish Fish (some Swedish Fish contain beeswax, so be sure to check the label).
What to avoid if you are vegan? ›
Vegans don't eat any foods made from animals, including:
- Beef, pork, lamb, and other red meat.
- Chicken, duck, and other poultry.
- Fish or shellfish such as crabs, clams, and mussels.
- Eggs.
- Cheese.
- Butter.
- Milk, cream, ice cream, and other dairy products.
- Mayonnaise (because it includes egg yolks)
Fruits and vegetables are a staple of the vegan diet. While avoiding all animal products like meat, dairy, and eggs, vegans often supplement their meals with plenty of fresh plant varieties. But there's one pesky fruit, the fig, that doesn't exactly fit into the "vegan-friendly" category.
What foods do vegans lack? ›
Intake and status of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and bone turnover markers were generally lower in plant-based dietary patterns compared to meat-eaters. Vegans had the lowest vitamin B12, calcium and iodine intake, and also lower iodine status and lower bone mineral density.
