Spotting Additives and Animal Ingredients for Healthy Vegan and Plant-Based Choices
Transitioning to a vegan or plant-based lifestyle involves making conscious food choices. To ensure your diet aligns with your values, it is important to understand food labels. This blog will guide you through how to decipher food labels, while helping you identify additives and animal ingredients. With this knowledge, you can confidently make healthy choices that support your plan.
Understanding Food Additives for Healthy Choices:
Food additives are substances that enhance flavour, texture, shelf life, or appearance. While not every additive is non-vegan, be mindful that some are derived from animals. Here are key additives to be aware of:
- Gelatin: Derived from animal sources, gelatin is used as a gelling agent in desserts, candies, and certain dairy products.
- Carmine or Cochineal: These red colorants are derived from crushed cochineal insects and are used in beverages, candies, and cosmetics.
- L-cysteine: Found in baked goods, L-cysteine can be derived from human hair or poultry feathers.
- Shellac: Obtained from the lac beetle, shellac is used as a glazing agent in candies, coatings, and fruits.
Identifying Animal Ingredients for Healthy Choices:
Apart from additives, it’s crucial to recognize potential animal-derived ingredients. Here are common animal ingredients to watch for:
- Dairy Products: Ingredients like milk, whey, casein, lactose, and butter indicate the presence of dairy.
- Eggs: Look out for ingredients such as eggs, egg yolks, egg whites, and albumin, which signify the use of eggs.
- Honey: Although occasionally debated amongst vegans, honey is derived from bees and is not typically considered vegan.
- Animal Fats: Ingredients like lard, tallow, and suet imply the use of animal fats.
Tips for Reading Labels for Healthy Choices:
- Start with the Ingredients List: Scan the list for potential animal-derived ingredients or additives mentioned above. Ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity.
- Look for Vegan Certification Labels: Seek products with vegan certification logos, indicating they are independently verified as vegan-friendly.
- Be Wary of Ambiguous Terminology: Terms like natural flavours, flavourings, and colourings may require further research or contacting the manufacturer for clarification.
- Utilize Online Resources: Research and use online resources and smartphone apps that provide databases of additives and animal ingredients, making informed choices easier.
Reading food labels is essential for maintaining a healthy vegan or plant-based lifestyle. By understanding additives and animal ingredients and following the provided tips, you can confidently make informed choices while shopping. Remember, your knowledge and choices have a positive impact on your health, animal welfare, and the environment. Choose wisely for a healthier, vegan, and plant-based lifestyle.