15 Surprising Foods That Aren’t Vegetarian

From fast-nutrient bagels to your favorite breakfast cereal, these not-vegetarian eats might sneak up on you.

Shutterstock / Olexiy Bayev

If you've e'er started an animal-free diet or tried your hand at serving vegetarian relatives y'all know that it can exist hard to tell if a product is truly vegetarian or non. Fresh produce and bootleg meatless recipes are usually a safety bet, only sometimes beast products tin sneak their way into a few unexpected items. Whether you're serving a vegetarian guest or going vegetarian yourself, hither are a few surprising foods yous should avoid.

1. Vegetable Soups

Though you'd call up most veggie soups are vegetarian, many canned varieties and cafe recipes include beef or chicken stock. Fifty-fifty French onion or carve up pea soup is decumbent to this treatment. Be sure to bank check the label before you serve. Still trying to get your soup fix? Make a batch of easy bootleg vegetable goop for one of our vegetarian soup recipes.

ii. Frosted Mini-Wheats and Lucky Charms

A lot of cereals are safe for vegetarians to consume, only 2 of Kellogg's nigh popular brands contain gelatin: Frosted Mini-Wheats and Lucky Charms. Yes, those delicious little charms and frosty-sweet toppings feature the ingredient. What's so wrong with gelatin? Well, it'south typically made from the skin, hooves and bones of animals–definitely non vegetarian! For a homemade substitute, learn how to make granola with this easy guide.

3. Altoids

Surprisingly, Altoids likewise contain gelatin. I guess they aren't mint for vegetarians!

iv. Processed Corn

With the Halloween season coming up, vegetarians should stay clear of this tricolor processed snack because it is some other culprit of that sneaky gelatin. My suggestion? Try a recipe with bodily corn. We have 75 succulent recipes here.

5. Tortillas

Next time you get out for Mexican, ask your server if the tortillas contain lard–most varieties do. (Hint: lard isn't vegetarian, but we'll spare you the details.) The most tasty pre-made pie crusts also are guilty of this ingredient. Luckily, we have some substitutions. Bank check out our recipe for vegetarian-friendly homemade tortillas. And our Super-Like shooting fish in a barrel Graham Pie Crust is a veggie-friendly winner!

six. Certain Vitamins

Virtually "gel cap" vitamins get their telltale squish from–you guessed it–gelatin. In addition, many vitamins proclaiming "heart wellness" or "omega 3s" get the claim from fish oils. To make sure your vitamins are vegetarian, avoid anything with gelatin, omega 3 or hydrolyzed collagen protein. Instead, look for options listing carrageenan or agar, ii vegetarian-friendly options.

7. Processed Sugar

It doesn't matter if it's white, dark-brown or powdered. Virtually types of processed carbohydrate are refined with a product known as bone char. That's exactly what it sounds like: the burnt remains of moo-cow bones. This ingredient is used to remove impurities from raw sugar. The bone char won't testify up in the final production of your sugar; it's merely used in the refining process. But if you're a strict vegetarian, stick to some safer options: organic sugar, beet saccharide or raw cane sugar.

Also, note that C&H Sugar Co. and Majestic Sugar take vowed non to apply creature products in their processes, then they are also rubber bets for loading into any ane of our vegetarian desserts. Did somebody say strawberry-rhubarb coffee cake?

viii. Blood-red Candies

If yous've ever eaten hard, red candies or vibrantly colored ruby foods or drinks, you've probably had natural cerise #4, a dye made from crushed protrude shells. To avoid, check your nutrient ingredient lists for carmine, blood-red lake, cochineal or natural red #4. Instead, opt for plant-based dyes like lycopene and anthocyanin.

9. Certain Beers and Wines

Most beers and wines don't use isinglass, a production derived from fish bladders, to filter out yeast. Merely Guinness and many British beers (like Samuel Smith Stout, Fuller's London brew and Black Sheep beer) do. Seek out American or German beers or do research to observe vegetarian spirits.

10. Parmesan Cheese

The process converting liquid milk into solid cheese isn't like shooting fish in a barrel, and that's why some cheese makers utilise rennet to streamline the process. Rennet is made from lamb and calf stomachs, and it'southward another sneaky ingredient that vegetarians should avoid. While non all cheeses incorporate rennet, the pop Parmigiano-Reggiano brand does. To be safe, look for especially labeled "vegetarian" cheese. Kraft Parmesan is one of them.

eleven. Pesto Sauce

Parmesan cheese is a common ingredient in pesto sauce. Unless yous know specifically that your pesto doesn't contain rennet, bandy out pesto for a unlike sauce or learn how to make your own pesto at home.

12. Bagels

Frequent Einstein Bros. or Dunkin Donuts? Both of these companies have admitted to using l. cysteine in their bagels. This scientific-sounding ingredient is a conditioning agent made from chicken and duck feathers or human hair. Yuck! My tip? Bypass the fast food and make your own bagels from scratch. (Other products with this ingredient include Pizza Hut's garlic bread and McDonalds' cinnamon rolls and apple pies.)

thirteen. Natural Vanilla Ice Cream

Fifty-fifty ice foam isn't condom for vegetarians. Castoreum, a musky brown liquid that beavers utilize to marking their territory, has a rich vanilla-like scent that some companies employ to flavor vanilla water ice cream without using artificial flavoring. It's condom to eat, then the FDA ruled that manufacturers don't accept to list it on the packaging. This makes information technology difficult to identify. Our answer: Stick to vegetarian and vegan-approved ice cream brands. You can usually notice that label on the hat.

Of course, at that place are other means to satisfy your sweet molar: Effort our vegan chocolate-chip cookies!

xiv. Cake Mix

At that place are a lot of boxed cake mixes out at that place with lard in them, so check the ingredient listing before you lot bake.

15. Difficult Candies

If you've e'er had your nails washed, yous've probably heard of shellac, a shiny glaze produced past lac bugs that makes your nails look polished. The aforementioned matter is used to coat hard candies like jelly beans, Whoppers, Milk Duds and some sprinkles. To be safe, stick to Yard&Yard'southward–they're one notable exception.

Did you know that all xv of these foods contain animal products? With so many strange ingredients in the fine print, it tin be difficult to tell. Keep information technology safety with our five-ingredient vegetarian recipes. They're all surefire ways to impress your guests!

Easy Vegetarian Recipes

Quinoa with Peas and Onion

Even picky eaters will love this protein-packed dish. If you have freshly shelled peas on hand, substitute them for the frozen. —Lori Panarella, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

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Acorn Squash Slices

Roasted acorn squash slices are a favorite with my family unit. This recipe has a sweet maple flavor from syrup and an appealing nuttiness from pecans. It's piece of cake, too, because you don't have to skin the squash. —Richard Lamb, Williamsburg, Indiana

Garbanzo-Stuffed Mini Peppers

Mini peppers are and so colorful and are the perfect size for a ii-bite titbit. They have all the crisis of pita chips simply without the extra calories. —Christine Hanover, Lewiston, California

Spinach-Mushroom Scrambled Eggs

My husband and I had breakfast at a hotel and enjoyed an amazing mushroom and egg dish. As presently as I got home, I made my own rendition. —Rachelle McCalla, Batesville, Arkansas

Pesto Pasta & Potatoes

Although this healthy pasta dish is pretty uncomplicated to begin with, information technology's fabricated even easier because you can throw the green beans and pasta into one large pot to cook. —Laura Flowers, Moscow, Idaho

Contest-Winning Roasted Lycopersicon esculentum Soup

Just before the offset frost of the season, we assemble upwards all of the tomatoes from my mom'due south garden to create this flavor-packed soup. Although it sounds similar a lot of garlic, when it's roasted, the garlic becomes mellow and near sweetness. Nosotros serve this soup with toasted bread spread with pesto.—Kaitlyn Lerdahl, Madison, Wisconsin

Spinach-Parm Casserole

For those who ignore Popeye and won't eat their spinach, I find that spinach with garlicky butter and Parmesan helps alter their minds. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Jeweled Endive Salad

Every Christmas, friends have a huge potluck party. I wanted to bring something unique, so I topped off endive and watercress with jewel-toned pomegranate seeds. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario

Mediterranean Omelet

This fluffy omelet gives the states reason to get a move on for breakfast. For a scrap of extra flair, add some chopped fresh herbs similar basil, oregano or tarragon. —Milynne Charlton, Scarborough, Ontario

Sauteed Radishes with Dark-green Beans

I've heard radishes are the only vegetable you don't cook, but a cookbook from the 1950s disagrees. Dark-green beans and wax beans round out this dish. —Pam Kaiser, Mansfield, Missouri

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

We honey eggplant Parmesan, just when it's hot outside, the dish feels too heavy. Grilled eggplant slices topped with love apple, mozzarella and Parm satisfy everyone. —Joann Parlin, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Portobello & Onion Tart

This fragrant tart is comfort with a capital "C," particularly with fresh rosemary or thyme. We pair it with a salad for dinner or an egg for breakfast. —Robin Wagganer, San Jose, California

Spinach-Artichoke Rigatoni

I dear pasta and so does my family, but they are not and so bang-up on their veggies. This a one-pot meal that gets u.s. all eating our spinach. —Yvonne Starlin, Hermitage, Tennessee

Spanakopita Mashed Potatoes

I learned to cook by watching my mom in the kitchen. Near of the recipes I make utilise only five or vi ingredients, and take a healthier aptitude. I created this recipe after I tried a spinach-topped baked tater. Flecks of red and dark-green from the spud skin and spinach make these potatoes expect festive and special. By leaving the potatoes unpeeled, you lot not simply keep some nutrients, you as well save on prep fourth dimension.—Ashley Levy, Columbia, Maryland

Tomato & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner

On the days I get dwelling late and just want a warm meal, I stir together tomatoes, garlic and butter beans. Ladle it over noodles if you're in the mood for pasta. —Jessica Meyers, Austin, Texas

Swiss Chard with Onions & Garlic

I similar to brand this sauteed Swiss chard a main dish by serving it with pasta, just it'south also a tasty side dish all on its own. My boys honey it and ask for it often. —Rebekah Chappel, Portales, New Mexico

Kale Salad

I love making meals that wow everyone. The flavour and diet in this kale salad set it apart from other thirty-minute creations. —Gina Myers, Spokane, Washington

Balsamic Zucchini Saute

This super fast vegetarian dish is flavorful and uses simply a few ingredients, so it's like shooting fish in a barrel to whip up while your entree is cooking. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington

Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

When my mom made this spaghetti sauce, the business firm would aroma so good that I'd open the windows to torture the neighbors. It even tastes wonderful the adjacent day, when the flavors accept really melded. —Vera Schulze, Holbrook, New York

Insalata Caprese

A classic Caprese salad has colors that resemble the Italian flag. For actress zing, I add a splash of balsamic vinegar. —Melba Wilson, Murrells Inlet, SC

Apple tree, White Cheddar & Arugula Tarts

These tarts remind me of growing upwardly in Michigan. Add together meat if you like or keep it light. I ever similar to garnish it with fried prosciutto. —Maria Davis, Hermosa Embankment, California

Sweetness White potato & Bean Quesadillas

Sweet potatoes and black beans roll up together for a quesadilla that's piece of cake, fast, fun and delicious. —Brittany Hubbard, St. Paul, Minnesota

Fresh Corn Omelet

I throw in homegrown corn and from-scratch salsa when I make this super summer omelet. Sprinkle on onions, mushrooms, peppers and breakfast meat to customize it. —William Stone, Robson, Due west Virginia

Southwest Tortilla Scramble

Hither's my version of a deconstructed breakfast burrito that's actually healthy. Go for hefty corn tortillas in this recipe. Flour ones can get lost in the scramble. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California

Toasted Ravioli Puffs

I phone call toasted ravioli a fan favorite because it disappears faster than I can make information technology. With just five ingredients, this is how you lot commencement the party. —Kathy Morgan, Temecula, California

Broccoli & Chive Stuffed Mini Peppers

There'south plenty of both crunch and cream in these party appetizers. Fresh chives assistance them really stand out. —Jean McKenzie, Vancouver, Washington

Muffin-Tin Lasagnas

This is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My girl took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowa

Love apple & Avocado Sandwiches

I'm a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could consume for every repast. At my house, we phone call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. These are ingredients I nigh e'er have on manus. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New Jersey

Bean & Cheese Quesadillas

My son doesn't eat meat, so I created this recipe as a style for me to cook i meal for the family instead of ii. It'south so like shooting fish in a barrel, my toddler grandson helps me make information technology! —Tina McMullen, Salina, Kansas

Roasted Greek Potatoes with Feta Cheese

Lemony Greek potatoes are a traditional side dish for grilled craven or steak. When they come out of the oven, we height with feta for a piffling melty goodness. —Arge Salvatori, Little Ferry, New Bailiwick of jersey

Confetti Quinoa

If you accept never tried quinoa, start with my like shooting fish in a barrel side, chock with colorful veggies. I serve it with orange-glazed chicken. —Kim Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/looking-for-vegetarian-food-here-are-15-ingredients-you-shouldnt-eat/

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