13 Surprising Foods You Think Are Vegan But Aren't (2024)

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.

13 Surprising Foods You Think Are Vegan But Aren't (2024)

FAQs

13 Surprising Foods You Think Are Vegan But Aren't? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

Is peanut butter vegan? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

Are bananas vegan? ›

Bananas are great for creating healthy dairy-free and oil-free recipes. So, to say they are vital to healthy plant-based and vegan cooking is an understatement.

Is any food truly vegan? ›

Veganism means you refrain from eating anything that comes from an animal—meat, milk, eggs, anything. You can't “debunk” it more than you can “debunk” taking a bicycle to work.

Is 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.

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.

Is Greek yogurt vegan? ›

Greek yogurt is an animal-derived food. While it's perfectly acceptable on a vegetarian diet, dairy is definitely not part of a vegan diet. Luckily, there are dairy-free alternatives to Greek yogurt, including store-bought and homemade varieties like almond milk yogurt, cashew yogurt, and coconut yogurt.

What fruit is not vegan friendly? ›

You'll restrict grains and foods made with them, such as bread and pasta. You also limit starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn, as well as beans and legumes. And you'll cut high-sugar tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, and bananas, as well as fruit juices and sweets.

Is McDonald's really vegan? ›

Beverage sizes may vary in your market. McDonald's USA does not certify or claim any of its US menu items as Halal, Kosher or meeting any other religious requirements. We do not promote any of our US menu items as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free.

Do vegans eat potatoes? ›

For a healthy vegan diet: eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates (choose wholegrain where possible)

What fruit isn't vegan? ›

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.

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. Plant-based cookies and cream lovers rejoice!

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