Is Vitamin D3 Vegan? Usually Not, Unless It’s From Lichen
Standard vitamin D3 is made from lanolin, the grease in sheep’s wool. Here’s why most D3 isn’t vegan, how vegan D3 is different, and what to look for on the label.
Food
59 posts
What to eat, what to buy, and what is genuinely worth your money. We test plant-based products hands-on and publish the criteria we use, so you can judge whether our verdict means anything to you.
Start here: vegan sports nutrition and how protein actually works, rice protein, the underestimated one, and is maltodextrin vegan, for everyone who reads ingredient lists in the supermarket aisle.
Germany is one of the world’s most advanced markets for plant-based products, so a lot of what we test here reaches other countries a year or two later. Consider this an early look.
Is Imitation Crab Vegan? No, and It’s Not Even Vegetarian
The name says imitation, so it must be fake, right? Imitation crab is real fish, usually with egg white too. Why it isn’t vegan, and the plant-based versions that are.
Is Glucosamine Vegan? Usually Not, Unless It’s Fermented
Most glucosamine supplements are made from crab and shrimp shells. A fermented, shellfish-free version exists and is identical. How to find the vegan one.
Is Toblerone Vegan? No, and Honey Is the Reason
Toblerone has a triangular problem for vegans: milk chocolate, honey in the nougat, and egg white too. Why it isn’t vegan, even the dark version, and what to reach for instead.
Are Mono and Diglycerides Vegan? It Depends, and the Label Won’t Tell You
Mono and diglycerides (E471) show up in bread, ice cream and peanut butter. They can be plant or animal fat, and the label almost never says which. How to handle E471 as a vegan.
Are Twiglets Vegan? Yes, the Knobbly Snack Is Plant-Based
Twiglets get their Marmite-like tang from yeast extract, not cheese, which makes them accidentally vegan. The one small caveat on the pack, explained.
Is Lecithin Vegan? Usually Yes, Unless It’s From Egg
Lecithin (E322) is in chocolate, bread and spreads. Soy and sunflower lecithin are vegan; egg-yolk lecithin isn’t. How to tell which one you’re eating.
Is L-Cysteine Vegan? Usually Not, and the Reason Is Grim
L-cysteine (E920) is a dough conditioner hiding in a lot of commercial bread and bagels. Most of it is made from human hair and duck feathers. Here’s how to spot the vegan kind.
Does Hummus Have Dairy? No, and Here’s Why It Tastes So Creamy
Hummus is famously creamy, so people assume there’s milk in it. Classic hummus is completely dairy-free and vegan. The exceptions to watch for, explained.
Yes, You Can Build Muscle on a Vegan Diet
Think you need meat to build muscle? Think again. Here’s how you can fuel your fitness goals with plants and what science says about vegan strength.