allanswers.org - rec.food.veg FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS LIST (FAQ)

 Home >  Food and Drinkvegetarian >

rec.food.veg FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS LIST (FAQ)

Section 1 of 2 - Prev - Next


Archive-Name: vegetarian/faq
Last-Modified: 12 Apr 2003

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

This list is posted at the beginning of each month. The expiration
date is set to the fourth of the following month, so this file should
always be available (most sites).

If you want the FAQ to be mailed to you send an e-mail to
mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the following line in your message body:

     send usenet/news.answers/vegetarian/faq


The keeper of the FAQ wishes to thank everyone who contributed to this
list -- your help was greatly appreciated.

Suggestions, comments, additions and constructive criticisms can be
mailed to:

        traub@mistral.co.uk (Michael Traub)

  If you send me something, and I don't respond, and I don't include it
  in the next edition, don't hesitate to write again, to see if I "lost"
  your mail. I usually include everything that is sent to me in one way
  or another.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

         Rec.Food.Veg's Most Frequently Asked Questions List
         ---------------------------------------------------

        Pressing CTRL-G will fast forward to the next major section
        (most newsreaders)

CONTENTS:

  1     Definitions
    1.1   Words frequently used in rec.food.veg
    1.2   Other confusing terms
    1.3   Terms confused with vegetarianism
  2     Frequently Asked Questions
    2.1   What is gelatin? Is there any alternative to it?
    2.2   What can be substituted for eggs?
    2.3   What is rennet? Where is it found? How can it be avoided?? 
    2.4   What is miso?
    2.5   What is tofu?
    2.6   What is tempeh?
    2.7   What is TVP?
    2.8   What is seitan?
    2.9   Can you feed a cat a vegetarian diet? a dog?
    2.10  What is Nutritional Yeast? / Which ones provide B12?
    2.11  Are there vegan marshmellows available?
    2.12  What airlines serve vegetarian meals?
    2.13  Should I be worried about getting enough protein on a
          vegetarian diet?
    2.14  What about Vitamin B12 on a vegan diet?
    2.15  How is "vegan" pronounced?
    2.16  Can I eat at fast food places like McDonalds or Taco-Bell?
    2.17  Is maple syrup vegetarian/vegan?
    2.18  Is beer or other alcoholic beverages vegetarian/vegan?
    2.19  Is sugar vegetarian/vegan?
  3     Other sources on the Net
  4     Addresses and Phone Numbers
    4.1   Vegetarian and Vegan groups
    4.2   Cruelty-free products information
    4.3   Non-leather Products information
    4.4   Mail Order Book Outlets
  5     Recommended Literature
    5.1   Cookbooks
    5.2   Non-Fiction
    5.3   Travel & Restaurant Books
    5.4   Periodicals
  6     Animal Rights Organizations
  7     Issues
    7.1   Rainforest Beef -- two views
    7.2   Hidden Animal Products 
    7.3   Names of animals versus names of animal based foods

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Subject: 1 Definitions

  1.0 DEFINITIONS of words frequently used in this newsgroup...


    Vegan: excludes animal flesh (meat, poultry, fish and seafood),
    animal products (eggs and dairy), and usually excludes honey and the
    wearing and use of animal products (leather, silk, wool, lanolin,
    gelatin...). The major vegan societies all disallow honey, but some
    "vegans" still use it. Some "vegans" also refuse to eat yeast
    products.

    Dietary Vegan: follows a vegan diet, but doesn't necessarily try and
    exclude non-food uses of animals.
             
    Vegetarian: usually broken down further into OVO-LACTO, OVO, and
                LACTO. Vegetarians may or may not try and minimize their
		non food use of animals like vegans.

      Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian: same as VEGAN, but also eats eggs and milk
      products. This is the most 'popular' form of Vegetarianism.

      Ovo Vegetarian: Same as VEGAN, but also eats eggs.
                 
      Lacto Vegetarian: Same as VEGAN, but also eats milk products.

    Veggie -- Shortened nick-name for a VEGETARIAN; often includes VEGANs.

    Strict vegetarian: originally meant vegan, now can mean vegan or
    vegetarian.

    The term 'Vegetarian' was coined in 1847. It was first formally used
    on September 30th of that year by Joseph Brotherton and others, at
    Northwood Villa in Kent, England. The occasion being the innaugural
    meeting of the Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom.

    The word was derived from the Latin 'vegetus', meaning whole, sound,
    fresh, lively; (it should not be confused with 'vegetable-arian' - a
    mythical human whom some imagine subsisting entirely on vegetables
    but no nuts, fruits, grains etc!)

    Prior to 1847, non-meat eaters were generally known as 'Pythagoreans'
    or adherents of the 'Pythagorean System', after the ancient Greek 
    'vegetarian' Pythagoras.
      
    The original definition of 'vegetarian' was "with or without eggs or
    dairy products" and that definition is still used by the Vegetarian
    Society today. However, most vegetarians in India exclude eggs from 
    their diet as did those in the classical Mediterranean lands, such 
    as Pythagoras.

                    ----------------------------------------

  1.1  Definitions of some other confusing terms


    Semi-Vegetarian: Eats less meat than average person. See also
                     PSEUDO-VEGETARIAN.

    Pseudo-Vegetarian: Claims to be vegetarian, but isn't.
                       Often used by VEGETARIANS to describe
                       SEMI-VEGETARIANs, and PESCETARIANs.

    Pescetarian:      Same as VEGETARIAN, but also consumes fish.
                      (often is a person avoiding factory-farming
                      techniques...) See also PSEUDO-VEGETARIAN.

    Fruitarian: Same as VEGAN, but only eats foods that don't kill the
                plant (apples can be picked without killing plant,
                carrots cannot).

    Vegetable Consumer: Means anyone who consumes vegetables. Not
                        necessarily a VEGETARIAN.

    Herbivore: Mainly eats grass or plants. Not necessarily a
               VEGETARIAN.

    Plant-Eater: Mainly eats plants. Not necessarily a VEGETARIAN.

    Nonmeat-Eater: Does not eat meat. Most definitions do not consider
                   fish, fowl or seafood to be meat. Animal fats and
                   oils, bonemeal and skin are not considered meat.

                    ----------------------------------------

  1.2 Terms that are confusing when talking about VEGETARIANs

    Kosher: Made according to a complex set of Jewish dietary laws.
            Does not imply VEGAN in any case. Does not imply OVO-LACTO
            VEGETARIAN in any case. Even KOSHER products containing
            milk products may contain some types of animals which are
            not considered 'meat'.

    Pareve/Parve: One category in KOSHER dietary laws. Made without
                  meat or milk products or their derivatives. Eggs and
                  true fish are pareve, shellfish are not.

    Nondairy: Does not have enough percentage of milkfat to be called
              dairy. May actually contain milk or milk derivatives.
            
    Nonmeat: Made without meat. May include eggs, milk, cheese.
             Sometimes even included animal fats, seafood, fish, fowl.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Subject: 2 Frequently Asked Questions

  2.1 What is gelatin? Is there any alternative to it?

    Gelatin (used to make Jell-o and other desserts) is the boiled bones
    of animals. An alternative substance is called Agar-Agar, which is
    derived from seaweed. Another is made from the root of the Kuzu.
    Agar-Agar is sold in noodle-like strands, powder, or in long blocks,
    and is usually white-ish in colour. Some Kosher gelatines are made
    with agar-agar, some are not. Some things that are vegan that are
    replacing gelatin are: guar gum and carageenan. Only some
    'emulsifiers' are vegan.

  2.2 What can be substituted for eggs?

    A company called Ener-G makes a powdered egg-substitute that they
    claim is a suitable replacement for eggs in cooking. It costs
    about $5.00 (U.S.) for the equivalent of 9 or 10 dozen eggs, and
    it contains no animal products.

    2 oz of soft tofu can be blended with some water and added to
    substitute for an egg to add consistency.

    One Tbsp flax seeds (found in natural food stores) with 3 Tbsp
    water can be blended for 2 to 3 minutes, or boiled for 10 minutes
    or until desired consistency is achieved to substitute for one egg.

    1/2 mashed banana

    1/4 cup applesauce or pureed fruit

    1 tsp. soy flour plus 1 Tbsp. water to substitute for one egg.


  2.3 What is rennet? Where is it found? How can it be avoided?? 

    Rennet is derived from the stomach linings of calves. Rennet is
    used to make cheese. True VEGETARIAN cheeses do not have rennet in
    them, but a substitute. These substitutes can be either from
    vegetable sources, or may be created in a lab. Vegetable rennet is
    usually called 'rennin' to distinguish it from the animal-derived
    type.  ** NOTE ABOUT SOY CHEESE: Some soy cheeses contain cassein
    which is a milk-product. The only true VEGAN cheeses in the U.S.
    are: SOYMAGE and VEGAN RELLA. In the U.K. there is also a vegan
    cheese: SCHEESE.

  2.4 What is miso?

    Miso is made from fermented soybeans, and usually is found in a
    paste form. It is used as a flavouring agent, and for soup stocks.
    Storing Miso: If it is a dark miso, like hatcho miso, or red miso,
    it will keep for a while unrefrigerated, especially if it is 3
    year miso.  However, it does not hurt to refrigerate it. If it is
    sweet miso like yellow, mellow white, or sweet white, it will not
    keep unless refrigerated. Also, if the miso has been pasteurized,
    it should be kept refrigerated. Warning! Some Japanese brands of Miso
    contain fish stock!
      Nutritional value, per tablespoon:
        calories   36 g.
        protein     2 g.
        carbs       5 g.
        fat         1 g.
        sodium     629 mg.
      (from Pennington, "Food Values of Portions Commonly Used")

  2.5 What is tofu?

    Tofu, or Soy Bean Curd, is a whitish substance made from soybeans.
    It has a variety of uses in vegetarian cooking because of its
    bland taste that soaks up other flavours. It comes in a couple of
    varieties, basically amounting to soft and firm style. Soft tofu is
    often used to make frostings for cakes, dips for chips and
    vegetables, while the firmer style is generally used in stir-fries
    and soups where it will hold its shape.

  2.6 What is tempeh?

    Tempeh is a somewhat meatlike substance made from fermented
    soybeans.  It is used in dishes like sloppy-joes, and has a rather
    strong taste compared to tofu.

  2.7 What is TVP?

    Textured Vegetable Protein (or TVP) is a meat-like substance that
    is used to boost the nutritional content of meals, while still
    remaining relatively attractive-tasting. TVP may have a rather
    high fat content, so check the label. If it contains "defatted"
    soya flour, it should be low fat.

  2.8 What is seitan?

    Seitan is a form of wheat gluten.  It is a high protein, low fat,
    no cholesterol (of course) food that is usually found in the
    refrigerated section of most organic groceries/health food stores.
    It is usually near the tofu and typically comes in small tubs
    (like margarine tubs).  It is brown and sometimes comes in strips
    1/4 to 1/2 inches thick.  Seitan is made from whole wheat flour
    which is mixed with water and kneaded.  This dough undergoes a
    simple process of rinsing and mixing to remove the starch and some
    bran until a gluten is obtained. After boiling in water, this
    glutenous dough is called Kofu, which can be further processed in
    many ways.  One of which is seitan.  Kofu becomes seitan by
    simmering in a stock of tamari soy sauce, water and kombu sea
    vegetable.  Seitan can be used in sandwiches, or to make dishes
    such as sweet and sour seitan, seitan stir fry, salisbury seitan,
    etc.

  2.9 Can you feed a cat a vegetarian diet? A dog?

    Both animals can be fed a vegetarian diet, although neither is a
    vegan by nature -- dogs are omnivores, and cats are carnivores. While
    both dogs and cats belong to the class carnivora, this doesn't mean a
    lot, so does the panda bear and their diet is basically vegan. By
    nature cats and dogs wouldn't eat anything like what is commonly
    found in a can of pet food either. Special diets must be provided for
    cats, as they require an amino acid called taurine -- found in the
    muscles of animals. Synthetic taurine has been developed (and has
    been used in commercial (non vegetarian) pet foods for years), and
    vegetarian cats should be fed it as a supplement. Taurine deficiency
    can result in blindness and even death. Cats also require pre-formed
    vitamin A and arachidonic acid. The companies listed below provide
    all these essential ingredients in their cat foods. Ask your vet
    about changing your pet's diet.
      Products:

     Harbingers of a New Age
     717 E. Missoula Ave, Troy MT 59935-9609 Phone: (406) 295-4944
     [vegecat supplement for vegan or lacto-ovovegetarian cats]

     Wow-Bow Distributors
     309 Burr Rd., East Northport, NY 11731
     (516)449-8572, 1-800-326-0230 (outside of NY only)
     Dogs: 20lb. bag is $20.35 + shipping 
     Cats: supplement, 15oz. is $15.95
     Call: Nature's Recipe for location of a distributor
           near you. 1-800-843-4008

     For cats with food allergies, Wysong has developed
     a hypoallergenic diet:

       Canine/Feline Anergen III, a vegetarian diet for
       food sensitive cats, contains special high-protein
       vegetables.
       Wysong Corporation
       Dept. CF, 1880 N. Eastman Ave.,
       Midland, MI 48640.

     Natural Life Pet Products, Inc. (For dogs)
     Available from veterinarians and pet food centres.
     1-800-367-2391
     Natural Life Pet Products, Inc.
     Frontenac, Kansas 66762.

     Evolution Healthy Pet Food
     Evolution Diet Bldg.,  287 East 6th Street,
     Suite 70, St. Paul, MN 51101
     Tel : 1-800-659-0104 / (651)228-0632 Fax : (651)228-0467

  2.10 What is Nutritional Yeast? / Which ones provide B12?

    Nutritional yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a food yeast,
    grown on a molasses solution, and comes in powder or flake form.
    It has a pleasant-tasting, cheesy flavour and can be used directly
    on vegetables, baked potatoes, popcorn and other foods as a
    condiment. It is different from brewer's yeast or torula yeast.
    It can often be used by those sensitive to other yeasts.

    Ms. Carlyee Hammer at Universal Products (the parent company of
    Red Star, (414)-935-3910) indicates that ONLY ONE variety of Red
    Star nutritional yeast (product number T-6635+) is fortified with
    B12 at the level of 8 ug/g.

    Ms. Carlyee also claimed that other varieties of "nutritional"
    yeast contain vitamin B12 at less than 1 ug/g, but was unaware
    whether this was determined by microbial assay or not.  Microbial
    assays for vitamin B12 are no longer considered reliable due to
    problems with the cross-reactivity of corrinoids. She indicated
    that Hazelton Laboratories (608-241-7210) did the assay.

    From the above two paragraphs, one might conclude that Red Star
    T-6635+ nutritional yeast, and probably no other variety, is a
    reliable dietary source of B12 at this time.

  2.11 Are there vegan marshmellows available?

    Yes, from a company called Emes located in Lombard, IL, U.S.A. Phone:
    (708) 627-6204. The package lists gelatin, but it is not animal
    derived. Most "kosher gelatin" isn't vegetarian (it's either made from
    fish cartilage or supervised by a less strict rabbinic authority that
    permits regular gelatin (a recent issue of "Kashrus" has an article on
    kosher gelatin)), but Emes kosher gelatin is made from carrageenan (and
    you can often buy Emes "gelatin" separately).

  2.12 What airlines serve vegetarian meals?

    Most airlines now serve vegetarian meals. Call the airline ahead
    of time to make your request, and it is suggested that you confirm
    your meal twice. For more information have a look, in Subject 3
    below, at The World Guide to Vegetarianism. The '/other2' file 
    contains details of individual airlines.

  2.13 Should I be worried about getting enough protein on a
       vegetarian diet?

    The short answer is: "No, sufficient protein can be obtained by
    eating a variety of foods", but here is a longer explanation:

      Protein is synthesized by the human body out of individual amino
      acids.  The body breaks down food into individual amino acids
      and then reassembles the proteins it requires.

      All amino acids must be present in the body to make proteins.
      Those that can be synthesized from other amino acids are called
      "unessential" amino acids.  You can live on a diet deficient of
      these if you eat enough extra of the other amino acids to
      synthesize these.  Those that cannot be synthesized from other
      amino acids are called "essential" amino acids and must be
      present in the diet.

      Protein that contains all essential amino acids is called
      "complete" protein.  Protein that contains some, but not all
      essential amino acids is called "incomplete" protein.  It used
      to be believed that all amino acids must be eaten at the same
      time to form complete proteins.  We now know that incomplete
      proteins can be stored in the body for many days to be combined
      with other incomplete proteins.  As long as all essential amino
      acids are in the diet, it does not matter if the proteins are
      complete or incomplete.

      The amount of protein recorded on food labels only lists the
      complete proteins.  A product may contain much higher amounts of
      incomplete protein that is not listed.  Combining such products
      may increase the total amount of protein beyond the levels
      expected.

      The 1989 revision of the FDA's RDA suggests a protein intake of
      44-63 grams.  Many scientists think this number is too high.
      Most scientists agree with this number.

    Here is another (from "Physicians Committee for Responsible
    Medicine"):

      THE PROTEIN MYTH

        In the past, some people believed one could never get too much
        protein.  In the early 1900's, Americans were told to eat well
        over 100 grams of protein a day. And as recently as the
        1950's, health-conscious people were encouraged to boost their
        protein intake.  The reality is that the average American
        takes in twice the amount of protein he or she needs. Excess
        protein has been linked with osteoporosis, kidney disease,
        calcium stones in the urinary tract, and some cancers. Despite
        all this, many people still worry about getting enough
        protein.

        The Building Blocks of Life:

        People build the proteins of their bodies from amino acids,
        which, in turn, come from the proteins they eat. Protein is
        abundant in nearly all of the foods people eat. A varied diet
        of beans, peas, lentils, grains, and vegetables contains all
        of the essential amino acids. Animal products are high in
        protein, but are undesirable because of their high fat and
        cholesterol content. Fat and cholesterol promote heart
        disease, cancer, and many other health problems. One can
        easily meet the body's protein requirements with plant foods.
        It used to be believed that various plant foods had to be
        eaten together to get their full protein value, but many
        nutrition authorities, including the American Dietetic
        Association, have determined that intentional combining is not
        necessary.1 As long as one's diet includes a variety of
        grains, legumes, and vegetables, protein needs are easily met.


  2.14 What about Vitamin B12 on a vegan diet?

      The data on B12 is still coming in, so it is impossible to say
      "Its no problem....", however, the latest information suggests
      that acquiring enough B12 is not as problematic as it was once
      thought. If you are concerned about inadequate B12, there are
      many foods which are fortified with B12, in addition to vitamin
      pills. Here is the most recent information:

        From the book:
        Simply Vegan: Quick Vegetarian Meals, by Debra Wasserman and
        Nutrition Section by Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D.
        Published (1990/1991) by the Vegetarian Resource Group,
        P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD  21203, (410) 366-VEGE.
        ISBN 0-931411-05-X
 
          Vitamin B12
 
          Summary: The requirement for vitamin B12 is very low.
          Non-animal sources include Nutri-Grain cereal (1.4 ounces
          supplies the adult RDA) and Red Star T-6635+ nutritional
          yeast (1-2 teaspoons supplies the adult RDA).  It is
          especially important for pregnant and lactating women,
          infants, and children to have reliable sources of vitamin
          B12 in their diets.
 
          Vitamin B12 is needed for cell division and blood formation.
          Plant foods do not contain vitamin B12 except when they are
          contaminated by microorganisms. Thus, vegans need to look to
          other sources to get vitamin B12 in their diet. Although the
          minimum requirement for vitamin B12 is quite small, 1/1000 of a
          milligram (1 microgram) a day for adults, a vitamin B12
          deficiency is a very serious problem leading ultimately to
          irreversible nerve damage. Prudent vegans will include sources
          of vitamin B12 in their diets. However, vitamin B12 deficiency
          is actually quite rare even among long-term vegans.

          Bacteria in the human intestinal tract do make vitamin B12.
          However, the majority of these bacteria are found in the
          large intestine.  Vitamin B12 does not appear to be absorbed
          from the large intestine.
 
          Normally, vitamin B12 is secreted into the small intestine
          along with bile and other secretions and is reabsorbed, but
          this does not add to the body's vitamin B12 stores.  Since
          small amounts of vitamin B12 are not reabsorbed, it is
          possible that eventually vitamin B12 stores will be used up.
          However, we may be quite efficient at re-using vitamin B12
          so that deficiency is rare.
 
          Some bacteria in the small intestine apparently produce
          vitamin B12 which can be absorbed.  This is one possible
          explanation for why so few cases of vitamin B12 deficiency
          are reported.  Perhaps our bacteria are making vitamin B12
          for us.
 
          At this time, research is continuing on vitamin B12
          requirements.  Some researchers have even hypothesized that
          vegans are more efficient than the general public in
          absorbing vitamin B12.  Certainly for other nutrients, such
          as iron, absorption is highest on low dietary intakes.
          However, these are only speculations.  We need to look for
          reliable dietary sources for vitamin B12 until we can
          determine whether or not other sources can supply adequate
          vitamin B12.
 
          Although some vegans may get vitamin B12 from inadequate
          hand washing, this is not a reliable vitamin B12 source.
          Vegans who previously ate animal-based foods may have
          vitamin B12 stores that will not be depleted for 20 to 30
          years or more.  However, long-term vegans, infants,
          children, and pregnant and lactating women (due to increased
          needs) should be especially careful to get enough vitamin
          B12.
 
          Few reliable vegan food sources for vitamin B12 are known.
          Tempeh, miso, and seaweed often are labeled as having large
          amounts of vitamin B12.  However, these products are not
          reliable sources of the vitamin because the amount of
          vitamin B12 present depends on the type of processing the
          food undergoes.  Also, Victor Herbert, a leading authority
          on vitamin B12 states that the amount on the label cannot be
          trusted because the current method for measuring vitamin B12
          in foods measures both active and inactive forms of vitamin
          B12.  The inactive form (also called analogues) actually
          interferes with normal vitamin B12 absorption and
          metabolism. These foods may contain more inactive than
          active vitamin B12.
 
          The RDA (which includes a safety factor) for adults for
          vitamin B12 is 2 micrograms daily.  Two micrograms of
          vitamin B12 are provided by 1 teaspoon of Red Star T-6635+
          yeast powder or 1-1/2 teaspoons of mini-flake yeast or 2
          rounded teaspoons of large-flake yeast.  Of course, since
          vitamin B12 is stored, you could use larger amounts of
          nutritional yeast less often.  A number of the recipes in
          this book contain nutritional yeast.
 
          Another alternative source of vitamin B12 is fortified
          cereal.  Nutri-Grain cereal does contain vitamin B12 at this
          time and 1.4 ounces of Nutri-Grain, or a little less than 1
          cup, will provide 2 micrograms of vitamin B12.  We recommend
          checking the label of your favorite cereal since
          manufacturers have been known to stop including vitamin B12.
          New labeling laws do not require labels to include the
          actual amount of vitamin B12 in a food.  However, added
          vitamin B12 will be listed under ingredients and you can
          write to the company inquiring about the amount of vitamin
          B12 in a serving.
 
          Other sources of vitamin B12 are fortified soy milk (check
          the label as this is rarely available in the US), vitamin
          B12 fortified meat analogues (food made from wheat gluten or
          soybeans to resemble meat, poultry or fish) [Midland Harvest
          products contain B12.], and vitamin B12 supplements. There
          are vitamin supplements which do not contain animal
          products.


  2.15 How is "vegan" pronounced?
 
    The word was invented by the UK Vegan society in the 1940's They
    pronounced it "vee-gn". This is the most common pronunciation in
    the UK today. No one can say this pronunciation in "wrong", so
    this is also the politically correct pronunciation.
 
    In the US, common pronunciations are "vee-jan" and "vay-gn" in
    addition to "vee-gn", though the American Vegan Society
    says the correct pronunciation is as per the UK.
 
    The UK, and US and other places have other pronunciations.
 
    This is sometimes a touchy subject, so be prepared to change your
    pronunciation....

  2.16  Can I eat at fast food places like McDonalds or Taco-Bell?
 
     Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this. Many Companies
     allow individual stores to decide part of their menu, or the
     ingredients used. In general, you should:
 
     1. Ask for a nutrition information booklet. Asking an employee may
        not be enough.
 
     2. If the food in question contains an undesired element, ask if
        it can be substituted for, or deleted altogether.
 
     3. Fill out a comment card, if you think their menu does not have
        enough selection. If the company receives enough of these, they
        may decide to follow up on them.

     4. Taco-Bell do not use lard anymore in their cooking.

  2.17 Is Maple Syrup vegetarian/vegan?

      Yes, rumours abound about maple syrup containing pork fat.
      The US vegan society has checked all known sources and found
      that they are all suitable for vegans.

  2.18 Is beer or other alcoholic beverages vegetarian/vegan?
      
      Finings are substances often added to beer (especially British beer
      or "bitter") or wine during fermentation to help clarify out
      particles and yeast, leaving the finished product clear. Finings
      are not present in the finished product in any significant
      quantity, their purpose is to settle out of the product, not stay
      in suspension. OTOH, if a chemical analysis were to be performed,
      there would probably be a few molecules of a fining agent still to
      be found. Some finings are animal derived, the most common are
      isinglass, made from the dried swim bladders of sturgeons, gelatin,
      egg or blood albumin (in wines) and caseinates (from milk, also
      used in wines). However many non-animal derived sources also exist,
      the commonest ones being bentonite (clay), Irish Moss (a seaweed),
      silicon dioxide and polyclar. Beer brewed according to the
      Reinheitsgebot (German purity law) is not prohibited from using
      finings since it was generally assumed that finings were not
      present in the finished product.

      Animal products are also sometimes used to alter the flavour of the
      wine/beer or control the head on a beer. See the rec.food.drink.beer
      FAQ for more details (where a lot of this has been stolen.-)

      Most spirits/mixers are suitable for vegans, common exceptions
      include some vodkas (may be cleared through bone charcoal) and
      Campari (contains cochineal, an insect derived colouring).

  2.19 Is sugar vegetarian/vegan?

      Some refined sugars use bone charcoal as a decolourant. In the UK
      Tate and Lyle and Billingtons sugars are free of animal substances.
      British Sugar, trading as Silver Spoon (the largest UK supplier)
      state that their white sugar is vegan but they cannot guarantee
      their brown sugars as some bone charcoal may be used by their
      suppliers. No data is presently available concerning sugar in other
      countries.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Subject: 3 Other sources of information on the Net

  The most prominent World Wide Web (WWW) index to online vegetarian
  information is the Vegetarian Pages - http://www.veg.org/veg/

  An ftp site where you can get some vegetarian information is:
       cadadmin.cadlab.vt.edu

  The network address for another vegetarian list:
    VEGLIFE@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu (internet) or VEGLIFE@VTVM1 (BitNet).

Section 1 of 2 - Prev - Next

Back to category vegetarian - Use Smart Search
Home - Smart Search - About the project - Feedback

© allanswers.org | Terms of use

LiveInternet