Comments on: Tips for Beginning Vegans: Label Reading

By: Deep Roots » Blog Archive » Carnival of Empty Cages #6

Deep Roots » Blog Archive » Carnival of Empty Cages #6 — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:12:58 +0000

[...] new vegans, Ryan at The Veg Blog has some good tips on label reading for beginners. He also compiled a list of 10 Ways To Be A Kick-Ass [...]

By: David

David — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 17:47:43 +0000

green and black’s bars

Most of their bars have the disclaimer that they are made on shared equipment.

By: ridgerunner

ridgerunner — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 20:24:38 +0000

Actually, according to “The Scientific Basis of Vegetarianism“, by William Harris M.D., many plant foods do contain trace amounts of cholesterol. The amounts are so small, however, that when reported, they round down to zero for any normal portion size. Note that Dr Harris is a long time expert in optimal human nutrition (plant based) and has been a vegan for 50+ years. He would also recommend that for optimal health, you eat your greens, fruits and beans before those grains and starchy vegetables.

By: ryan

ryan — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:27:31 +0000

Anyways, those vegan bars probably have cocoa butter (natural derivative of the cacau bean) or safflower oil in them which may account for the cholesterol. These are non-animal products. All types of olive oil have cholesterol, as well as other plant and seed based oils.

Sorry, you’re dead wrong here. As mentioned above, only animal products have cholesterol. Check the label on your olive oil.

I think you’re thinking of saturated fat, which is completely different.

By: mikep

mikep — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:34:54 +0000

Ok, I’m basically a vegan (i like milk) and I don’t think it’s that hard to buy vegan products. I mean if you’re buying/ eating something with lots of ingredients than aren’t you kind of missing the big picture. I thought vegan/ vegetarianism was about consuming foods that, aside from being meat free, are natural and unrefined. What has happened to eating fresh (or frozen) fruits and veggies, whole grains, beans, and legumes? Use fresh herbs and spices to experiment with flavor. Try your hands at some vegan baking or research some interesting ethnic recipes. I dunno, maybe I’m crazy but I def don’t want all of that processed crap in my body (food made with shared machines, come one, those coporate mindf***s dont care about me, you, or your vegan friends).
Anyways, those vegan bars probably have cocoa butter (natural derivative of the cacau bean) or safflower oil in them which may account for the cholesterol. These are non-animal products. All types of olive oil have cholesterol, as well as other plant and seed based oils.

By: philip

philip — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 08:49:40 +0000

i noticed that on the green and black’s mint bar a few weeks ago, also! i sent them a question and they have not responded either! i wonder how many inquiries they get about it…

By: almost vegetarian

almost vegetarian — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 22:11:53 +0000

Incredibly helpful, that. Much thanks, indeed!

By: Crystal

Crystal — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:02:10 +0000

Wow! Thanks for the advice. I am a recent vegetarian (turning vegan). If any one has any other advice as to where I can purchase vegan products. (I live in Louisiana and vegan products are extremely limited!!!!)

By: Chava

Chava — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:50:47 +0000

Just wanted to point out that eggs are also pareve, so check for that too if you’re going by the kosher label.

By: Mindy

Mindy — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 19:11:27 +0000

I have recently seen that the Mint bar from Green & Black says “Suitable for vegetarians and vegans” but also shows it having 4 (somethings)(mg?) of Cholesterol! I haven’t heard back from them yet on why this is. :(

By: Mitch

Mitch — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 23:40:51 +0000

I have found this iPod list very handy. It’s much quicker than flipping through an animal ingredient book while in the grocery store.

You can find the Animal Ingredients List A-Z For iPod at:

http://thirty5.org/ipod/

I hope it helps.

By: bazu

bazu — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 16:21:03 +0000

I wish we could start a campaign to get those pesky 2% or less ingredients out- does a food with 20 ingredients really need that drop of whey or skim milk or whatever at the bottom of the list? That’s my personal pet peeve! If I remember correctly, for example, Oreos used to have whey in them way back when. They don’t now. Anyone notice a difference?

By: Jimmy boy

Jimmy boy — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:52:17 +0000

Another thing to look for is kosher “pareve.” This is not necessarily synonymous with vegan since fish is considered pareve. But, if there’s no fish, then you’re good to go!

In Jewish law, all foods which do not fall into the categories of meat or dairy are considered pareve, and can be consumed freely with either meat or dairy. This includes all fruits and vegetables and foods derived exclusively from such sources; salt and other non-organic foodstuffs. Fish is considered pareve, and may be eaten directly before or after both meat and milk.

By: chai

chai — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:30:56 +0000

lovely tips. thank you from someone who took the vegan pledge yesterday.

By: Rusty Haskell

Rusty Haskell — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 10:15:47 +0000

The bread that I had been buying for six months suddenly added milk to their recipe. I hadn’t remembered to check the label recently, but my (omni) wife noticed and warned me.

What on earth is up with companies suddenly and inexplicably changing their recipes?