Whilst it’s easy to assume what foods are vegan and what foods aren’t, for example the classic meat, dairy, eggs, honey, you may not be looking hard enough at the labels of some of your favorite safe foods.
Here are some surprising foods you may need to steer clear of this month.
1. Bagels
It’s easy to think of bagels as a simple breakfast food, but did you know that they might contain something unexpected? A select few contain cysteine, an amino acid derived from feathers. The cysteine is used in the production process to help give the dough its chewy texture and pliability.
So, how does this feather-derived ingredient end up in your bagel? A chemical process known as hydrolysis breaks down animal proteins like feathers into their component parts. The result is an odourless and flavourless powder that contains cysteine. This powder can then be mixed with flour and other ingredients to form the dough for bagels, rolls, and other baked goods.
But don’t despair yet! There may still be hope that you can have your beloved bagel and eat it too, if you look hard enough!
Many independent bakeries offer vegan versions of this classic treat, made with plant-based milks and other non-animal-based ingredients. You’ll just need to do some research to see where in your area is serving up delicious vegan bagels.
2. Bananas
I know! It’s true. Bananas might not be the vegan-friendly snack we all thought they were. You heard it here first! This beloved yellow fruit may have animal products in its production process.
Crustacean-derived chitosan is a natural polysaccharide derived from the exoskeletons of certain species of crustaceans. It is commonly used in dietary supplements as an aid for weight loss and cholesterol control.
But how does it get into bananas? Well, there is some evidence to suggest that chitosan applied to banana plants can help protect them against infestations by harmful insects and other organisms.
This process is incredibly rare, however, and is not commonly used on supermarket produce. Organic bananas are the best way to go when choosing your fruity snack, and when in doubt, look for the fairtrade symbol on the packaging.
3. Molasses
Despite its popularity as an ingredient in baking recipes and desserts and a great alternative to corn syrup, vegans should avoid eating molasses due to its animal-based by-products, source, and refining process.
Molasses, while sticky and sweet, is not vegan. This is because molasses, be it light or dark, is made from the boiled down juices of either sugar cane or sorghum. Unfortunately, these products contain animal-derived substances such as bone char as a filtering agent.
Molasses is also commonly used by many farmers to feed their livestock. Stored in large industrial containers, the sticky blend is used to maximize rumen function, stimulate fiber digestion, increase dry matter intake, which can lead to improved herd health, performance, and fertility.
The by-product of these animals ingesting the mix is also used as fertilizer, as sewage sludge is becoming a more popular fertilizer alternative for farmers.
4. Some Fruit Juice Brands
Not another breakfast staple! The idea of juice not being vegan might come as a surprise to many. After all, what could be more natural than freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice?
However, in some cases, these juices may contain animal products such as honey and gelatine.
Gelatin is often added as a stabilizer to create a thicker texture and improve the shelf life of the product. Gelatin is made from boiling bones and cartilage of animals like cows, pigs, and fish. So, if your favorite juice contains gelatin, then it’s definitely not vegan!
Another thing to watch out for when buying juice is carmine. This is a red dye derived from crushed insects, and it’s often used to give the juice a bright color.
But you’re in luck! It’s almost instantly obvious if juices have dye in them for their luminous colour and almost sickening appearance. All of your shelf regulars will be perfectly vegan meaning you can stick to your regular OJ in the morning, but once again, if trying out a new juice you’re not sure is 100%, make sure to scan the label for any hidden nasties.
5. Some Margarine Brands
Margarine may seem like a great choice since it is made from vegetable oils instead of animal fats, but unfortunately this isn’t always true. While margarines are generally made with only plant ingredients, some brands still use animal-derived ingredients such as whey or casein (dairy proteins) in their products.
But the news isn’t all bad! There are plenty of vegan margarine options that don’t contain any animal by-products. Margarines made with vegetable oils, such as canola and safflower oil, tend to be vegan friendly.
If you’re looking for something a bit more special than plain ol’ margarine, there are plenty of vegan brands out there that offer delicious flavors and textures without sacrificing taste or texture. vegan margarine is a great vegan substitute in recipes that call for lard or ghee.
Look for vegan spreads fortified with vitamins and minerals like calcium carbonate, iron oxide and vitamin D to give your meals an extra nutritional boost.
6. Sprinkles
Sprinkles are a classic addition to cakes, cupcakes, ice cream, and other desserts. But if you’re vegan, it may not be as sweet as it seems.
Many store-bought sprinkles contain animal products such as beeswax, egg whites, or shellac (made from insects). This means that if you want to enjoy the classic look of sprinkle cupcakes without compromising your dietary preferences, it’s best to make sure that your sprinkles come from vegan sources.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the same decorative effects as traditional sprinkles without compromising your vegan principles.
Vegan-friendly sprinkles are made entirely from plant-based ingredients such as tapioca syrup and beet juice concentrate. You can even make your own homemade sprinkles using natural flavoring such as cocoa powder or spices for a unique flavor.
Related: Vegan diet outranks keto as America’s most popular diet
The post 6 Vegan Foods That Are Not Always Vegan appeared first on Chef's Pencil.
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