Hi Everyone,

Going Vegan has been one of the best decisions of my life… Not only has it benefited me with my health and general well being it has also opened my eyes to what I am putting inside my body and why! when I went vegan I started reading labels and researching what they mean and where these ingredients come from… so I just thought I should share the top 5 foods that SHOCKED me with their list of ingredients…

Not all of these or all brands have animals products in them but I came across the ones that did so…

Here we go!!!

5. Peanuts

Its a good thing I am allergic to peanuts.. so My husband was the reason I looked into this one… But if you have ever had Salted Peanuts you have Consumed PIG Hooves…

Some brands ( Check Labels) use Gelatin as an additive to help salt and other spices adhere to the peanuts. Gelatin is derived from the collagen in cow or pig bones, hooves, and connective tissues.

If you are Buying peanuts…Buy peanuts in the shell. they are vegan and less calories 😉

4. Marshmallows

Oh I used to have a lot of this when I first went vegan…. but guess what…Marshmallows contain Gelatin… yes… again with the Gelatin! a protein made of skin and bones from pig ( or cow) and then I came to find out that it is used in a variety of foods including gummy bears and Skillets!!!!

are the marshmallows you grew up loving but vegan. Don’t worry though…. you can still have Marshmallows…. Dandies Classic Vanilla Flavor Air Puffed Marshmallows are the marshmallows you grew up loving but vegan.

3. Orange Juice

Orange Juice…. what am I TALKING ABOUT? ….WHAT?????

Yes… Orange juice….The orange juices such as Tropicana’s Heart Healthy Orange Juice have added Omega 3 that is derived from FISH.

I just make my own orange juice at home… and avoid aded sugar altogether as well… ugh…

2. White Sugar

I feel like a lot of people knew about this one before I did… but just in case you are like me and you didn’t know…. White sugar contains Animal Bones…

Yes….Refined white sugar is bleached in a process that entails running the sugar through “bone char” or “natural carbon” — both fancy terms for charred cattle bones. brown sugar can also be culprits, as they are variations of white sugar…. you may have noticed that I use Coconut sugar in my recipes which is a great alternative… you can also use Organic Cane or turbinado sugar as well….

1. Red Candy

This will make the Non Vegan/vegetarians Cringe as well…… but if you have ever had RED candy in your life chances are…you have Consumed Crushed Beetles….

Natural Red #4 is what gives most red candies their coloring, and it refers to carmine, a pigment extracted from the female Dactylopius coccus Costa insect. It’s sometimes listed as “cochineal,” “carminic acid” or “carmine.”

This is Crushed up beetles 😦 and most of Red lipsticks also contain Carmine… but thats another Blog for another day…

Are you Shocked yet???… well… the only way you can really avoid these things or false vegan food is by Reading the LABELS! I shared an App last week on my top 5 vegan iPhone App blog that is very helpful called Animal-Free (Free).. you can scan barcodes to see if it is vegan… or look up the ingredients… it is AWESOME!

Hope you guys found this helpful… even if you are not vegan.. it is always good to know what is in your food 🙂

thanks for reading!

Love & Peace

Vegan Needs