Due to the alarming number of heart attacks and cancers, the vegan and vegetarian diets are getting more popular. While buying food products, vegans and vegetarians often get confused whether to purchase a particular product or not. The chemical names of the ingredients do not give away the origin.  Here are some tips and ideas that might help. 🙂

Vegan

Vegans are people who do not eat animal or dairy products and may sometimes also avoid using leather and other products derived from animals. The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently released a list of food items that are safe for vegans and vegetarians. The numerous choices they listed are sometimes surprising and unaware of. The Vegan items are essentially meat free, egg free, fish free, gluten free, gelatin free, dairy free, and do not include any animal products. Some of the items include:

• Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate
• Nestle Nesquik Syrup
• Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies
• Fritos
• Lay’s Potato Chips
• Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars
• Wise Onion Rings
• Hershey’s Syrup
• Sara Lee Cherry Pie
• Pillsbury Treat Toppers
• Thai Kitchen Noodle Bowls

The list is endless and it is surprising that most famous brands do manufacture products in different flavors that are safe for vegans and vegetarians.

Vegetarian

Vegetarians are people who do not eat animal products but consume dairy products. They mostly promote consuming fruits and vegetables. Vegetables basically get digested easily and are rich in fiber. The anti-inflammation chemicals in the vegetables do reduce tumors and pains. The author of Crazy Sexy Diet,  Kris Carr admits that becoming a vegetarian helped her reduce her cancer and get fit in her life.

Some people who do not believe in vegetarianism argue that harming plants also is killing them. Some say that egg is also a vegetarian item. Further, some say that animal foods offer instant strength and proteins. In contrast, some vegans and vegetarians are looking for drugs and vitamins that do not contain any animal derivatives. Music legend Paul McCartney says that if slaughter houses had glass walls, everyone would turn a vegetarian.

Vegetarians can select the listed items above apart from natural fruits and vegetables. Healthy recipes can be prepared with vegetables and there a wide variety which you can choose from. Vegetarian food items can also be bought online. Some alternatives include:

• Hummus
• Soy
• Tofu
• Beans
• Pulses
• Grains
• Falafel
• Minestrone

Anyways, its an individual’s choice and everybody is free to eat what they like. After all, this is a free country. 🙂