Nutritional yeast: vegan every time, B12 only when the label lists it
Nutritional yeast is vegan, but its B12 is added, not natural. Of 6 bags, Bragg lists 15 mcg per 2 tbsp; Sari and Frontier's 1 lb large flakes list none.
Gregory Knox
Gregory has been vegan since 2012 and came to it as a sceptic. He believed a balanced diet needed meat and dairy, so he read the studies and the books until he was sure it didn't. He still reads them, and turns what he finds into plain answers on food, ingredients, supplements and health questions. He also runs the technical side of Vegan Pots. Not a doctor, just very thorough.
Is vitamin D3 vegan? Only when the label names a plant source, and one brand sells both kinds
Vitamin D3 is vegan only when it comes from lichen or algae; many supplements use lanolin from sheep's wool. 7 D3 and D2 products checked on the label.
Vegan grocery list: 8 staples, and why Jif won’t call itself vegan
A vegan grocery list by aisle: Nasoya tofu, Oatly, Bragg nooch, Dave's Killer Bread and more. Jif calls its peanut butter vegetarian, not vegan.
Is gelatin vegan? No, and Jell-O’s plant-colored box still uses it
No. Gelatin is animal collagen, and Jell-O Simply still lists it second. NOW Real Food agar and pectin from Sure-Jell or Anthony's set food without it.
Are bouillon cubes vegan? Some are, and the flavor name won’t tell you which
Some are. Edward & Sons' Not-Chick'n cubes and Better Than Bouillon's No Chicken Base are vegan; its Mushroom Base has milk, Herb-Ox chicken cubes chicken fat.
10 foods that aren’t vegan, and why the allergen line won’t warn you about half of them
10 everyday foods that aren't vegan, from Campbell's Vegetable soup to Altoids. Gelatin, lard and honey never reach the allergen line, so read the ingredients.
Is tapioca vegan? Yes, and the dairy is in the pudding, not the pearl
Yes: tapioca flour, starch and pearls are cassava starch. The pudding isn't: Kozy Shack lists milk first, and Bob's Red Mill's recipe adds cream and 2 eggs.
Vegan gas and bloating: why more plants mean more gas, and why it usually fades
More plants mean more gas at first: in 3 bean studies, half or fewer noticed it in week 1 and most said it faded in 2 to 3 weeks. Smaller servings help.
Do vegans need B12? Yes, and only fortified food or a supplement reliably supplies it
Yes. Only fortified foods and supplements are reliable vegan B12 sources: at least 10 mcg a day or 2,000 mcg a week. Nori and spirulina don't count.
Are Girl Scout cookies vegan? A few are, and the bakery behind your troop decides which
Some are. Thin Mints from both bakers are made with vegan ingredients, as are ABC's Lemonades and Peanut Butter Patties. Little Brownie's Tagalongs have whey.
