Going vegan came with a host of enlightenments. From the standard process of watching the documentaries (we’ve all seen What The Health and Seaspiracy) to purchasing new cookbooks. As time goes on, there are still many items that I continue to learn are not vegan. Here are 7 of them that shocked me, and may shock you. Why 7? It’s my favorite number.
Marshmallows
A few months after going vegan, it was time to go “camping” (in cabins, thankfully). You can’t have camping without a campfire, and you can’t have a campfire without roasted marshmallows. I knew I would have to be particular about the chocolate, because milk chocolate is the standard when it comes to making smores. What I did not know is that marshmallows were made with gelatin. I wasn’t even sure what gelatin was. “Gelatin is a protein made from animal collagen, usually from cows and pigs… Collagen is one of the materials that make up cartilage, bone, and skin.” [1]
Candy
This brings me to my next discovery. Once I realized what gelatin was, I had to see what else contained this sneaky ingredient. “Gelatin is a common ingredient in other treats such as fruit chews, gummy snacks, gumdrops, marshmallows and puddings. Frosting, ice cream, yogurt, cream pies and wafers may also contain gelatin, according to the Gelatin Manufacturers Institute of America. Commercially baked cupcakes and frosted fruit tarts frequently contain gelatin, as well.” [2] This is going to be harder than I thought. Starbursts, all of the Trolli sour candies, and, my personal favorite, Mini Chewy SweeTARTS (because of egg whites, not gelatin), were now all off limits.
Wine
This one may have hurt the most. Much like Adele, I too drink wine. “Some winemakers still use traditional animal-derived “fining” agents such as egg whites, gelatin, or casein (derived from milk) to clarify the liquid, reduce bitterness, or bind and extract excess tannins in red wines, leaving behind softer ones.” [3] Thankfully, vegan wines aren’t hard to find. For the most part, if it’s an unrefined wine, it should be vegan-friendly. If it’s refined with non-animal related ingredients, it’s usually acknowledged on the label. https://www.barnivore.com/ is a great source for checking if your favorite wine is vegan or not. Some popular brands such as Barefoot, Josh Cellars, and Gallo Family are made using animal products.
Lip balm
This brings us to my most recent discovery. I don’t even remember how I discovered lip balm wasn’t vegan, but it was a woeful day. It contains beeswax, which should have been obvious, but I was unaware. It also contains the sneaky ingredient lanolin (pronounced lan-i-lin). Lanolin is a waxy substance that is derived from the wool of sheep. Although it does not require sheep to be slaughtered, that’s often how their lives come to an end. They’re raised for their meat and their wool. Check the ingredients on your current lip balm for beeswax and lanolin! If you’re ready to make the switch, we’re here for you.
Sugar
Another tricky one! “In the U.S., sugar companies use bone char derived from cows for this filtering and bleaching process. To make bone char, animal bones are heated at incredibly high temperatures and are reduced to carbon before being used in a refinery.” [4] While the bone particles are removed, they’re still used for processing the sugar.
Chips
So many (SO MANY) chips contain milk ingredients. Most of the flavored chips have milk, whey, or some sort of dairy ingredient(s). Even simple chips like Tostitos Hint of Lime. They happen to contain a hint of sour cream. Thankfully, Lay’s BBQ chips, many of the Kettle Brand chips, and my personal favorite, Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili are among the growing vegan options of chips.
This one may have been obvious to most, but not me. I remember very shortly after going vegan, going to brunch with my friends. I got the usual eyerolls trying to find something vegan on the menu. I would order my Bloody Mary as usual, give the piece of bacon to a friend, and go to town (I know). I mean, they were bottomless. Lo and behold! Worcestershire sauce! Turns out Bloody Marys are made with Worcestershire sauce which is made from anchovies. I have a hard time with mimosas due to the carbonation so this one hit me close to the heart. If you’re into making your own cocktails, Whole Foods has a great vegan Worcestershire sauce!
This list was made to help you, not haunt you. Even if you’re not vegan or vegetarian, this list can help you make more mindful choices. What are some things that surprised you when you discovered they were not vegan/vegetarian?