Stanford Research Explores Effects of Vegan and Omnivorous Diets

A groundbreaking study conducted by Stanford Medicine researchers has uncovered intriguing insights into the impact of vegan and omnivorous diets on cardiovascular health. Using a unique sample of 22 pairs of identical twins, the research compared the health outcomes of these two dietary approaches, providing a fascinating glimpse into the potential benefits and drawbacks of each.

According to the Stanford Medicine-led trial, a vegan diet appears to offer significant advantages for cardiovascular health. The study, as reported on Stanford Medicines website, found that twins following a vegan diet experienced overall improvements in cardiovascular health compared to their omnivorous counterparts.

The research, also featured in a Netflix documentary series titled You Are What You Eat A Twin Experiment, revealed that the vegan participants ended the trial with notably better health outcomes. These included lower fasting insulin and cholesterol levels, both of which are key indicators of heart health. The LDL cholesterol levels of the vegan participants fell by 13%, ending up at an average of 95.5 mg/dL. Their fasting insulin levels also fell by 20% more than the omnivorous group.

The vegan participants also lost more weight than the omnivore participants, shedding an average of 4.2 pounds more. In addition to these measurable benefits, the vegan group also demonstrated a decrease in biological age, a surprising and exciting finding. This suggests that a well-structured, plant-based diet could have significant benefits for cardiometabolic risk factors among healthy individuals.

However, the study also highlighted potential drawbacks of a vegan diet. Although the vegan participants experienced a variety of health benefits, their diet was lower in protein and potentially deficient in essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, Vitamin B12, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, individuals considering a switch to a vegan diet should seek professional guidance from a registered dietitian to ensure they meet their nutrient needs and health goals.

While the vegan diet resulted in greater weight loss, it is essential to remember that weight loss is not the sole determinant of a diets success or an individuals health. People can maintain good health across a spectrum of shapes, sizes, and weights. Its also crucial to recognize that both the vegan and omnivorous diets in this study were considered healthy, featuring a variety of vegetables, legumes, fruits, and whole grains and excluding sugars and refined starches.

In conclusion, the Stanford Medicine study indicates that a vegan diet can lead to significant improvements in cardiovascular health, lower LDL cholesterol levels, lower fasting insulin levels, and weight loss. However, it also reinforces the importance of a balanced diet that meets an individuals nutritional needs. Despite their participation in the study, most of the twins did not plan to maintain a vegan diet, focusing instead on incorporating more plants and less meat into their meals. This approach aligns with a growing body of nutrition research advocating for a predominantly plant-based diet as a pathway to improved health.

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Stanford Twin Study Sheds Light on Vegan and Omnivorous Diets' Effects on Cardiovascular Health - Medriva

Middle Eastern food and drink

The popular vegan restaurants Middle Eastern repertoire includes a spicy red lentil soup-stew with pasta and yoghurt, a tart filled with feta and Levantine cauli, and wraps stuffed with sweetly spiced jackfruit and toasted nuts

Sarah Wasserman

Wed 10 Jan 2024 03.00 EST

This hearty soup is closer to a stew. It is rich with tomatoes and lentils, and made even more substantial by the addition of vermicelli or, if you prefer, rice. We use a ras el hanout spice mix, a name that translates as top of the shop, implying the finest spices available; blends vary, but are typically made up of cumin, coriander, cardamom, ginger and saffron. The fragrant spices infuse the soup with aroma, making this comforting bowl the perfect thing to come home to after a long day.

Prep 20 minCook 45 minServes 68

4-5 tbsp olive oil 2 brown onions, peeled and finely diced 2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped 1 tbsp ras el hanout, or baharat spice mix tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp cumin seeds 2 bay leaves (fresh, ideally) 2 carrots, trimmed, peeled and finely diced 2 celery sticks, trimmed, peeled and finely diced 1 handful flat-leaf parsley, stalks finely chopped, leaves roughly chopped 100g red lentils, rinsed well and drained 1 litres vegetable stock 2 tbsp tomato puree 400g tomato passata 12 tbsp harissa paste (rose harissa works really well here), plus extra to finish (optional) 1 tsp caster sugar 100g vermicelli, broken into 2-3cm lengths, or 150g cooked rice Salt and black pepper

To serve Coconut yoghurt Lemon wedges (optional)

Put the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan on a medium heat. Add the onions, cook for two minutes, until translucent, then turn down the heat to low and add the ginger, spices and bay leaves. Cook gently for a few seconds, until fragrant, then add the carrots, celery and parsley stalks, and cook for another five minutes, until the carrots start to lose their bite.

Add the lentils, cook, stirring, for five minutes, then add the stock, tomato puree, passata, harissa and sugar. Bring to a simmer, then cook gently, stirring often, for 20-30 minutes, until the lentils are cooked.

Add the vermicelli, cook for a further five to 10 minutes, until the pasta is cooked, then season. Serve topped with chopped parsley leaves and dollops of yoghurt, with extra harissa and lemon wedges on the side.

A simple but beautiful centrepiece, this galette is a great way to celebrate cauliflower. It will work with one medium-to-large cauliflower, but if you have a couple of different types, from purple and golden to the psychedelic romanesco, so much the better.

Prep 20 minCook 45 minServes 4-6

500g cauliflower florets 300g shop-bought shortcrust pastry Plain flour, for dusting 70g vegan feta-style cheese, crumbled A little plant-based cream, for brushing Chopped pistachios, to garnish

For the chermoula bunch coriander, roughly chopped 1 tsp fresh oregano leaves, roughly chopped 20g preserved lemon, deseeded, flesh and skin roughly chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped 5 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp salt tsp ground turmeric tbsp caster sugar

First, make the marinade. Put all the chermoula ingredients except the sugar in a stick blender jug, pulse chop in bursts until it breaks down into a rough, pesto-like mix, then stir in the sugar until it dissolves (or do so by hand with a pestle and mortar).

Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan)/350F/gas 4. Arrange the cauliflower on an oven tray, pour over the marinade, toss to coat, then roast for eight to 10 minutes, until the florets start to turn golden.

Meanwhile, on a large sheet of baking paper, roll out the pastry to an even 3mm-thick circle, dusting with flour as necessary. Prick the centre of the pastry a few times with a fork, then arrange half the roast cauliflower in a circle on top, leaving a 5cm border all around the edge. Sprinkle over the feta, then arrange the rest of the cauliflower on top.

Fold the edges of the pastry up and over the cauliflower at the border, then brush the exposed pastry with plant-based cream. Bake the galette for 25-30 minutes, until golden and firm , garnish with the pistachios and serve.

Iranian cuisine is known for its use of fragrant ingredients such as rose, pomegranate, dried limes, apricots and fresh walnuts. This delicious marinade works well with canned jackfruit, which has almost no taste of its own, so makes a terrific vehicle for this sweet, aromatic blend of flavours. Serve with a soft herb salad we make ours with sliced cucumber, radishes, pomegranate seeds, coriander, dill and mint, all dressed in a little lemon and salt.

Prep 15 minCook 20 minServes 4

250g canned jackfruit, drained well 2 red onions, peeled and very finely sliced 60g toasted walnuts, chopped 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds 4 flatbreads, ideally lavash 4 tbsp plant-based yoghurt we prefer coconut

For the Persian apricot marinade 1 tsp coriander seeds 1 tsp cumin seeds 3 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp apricot harissa, or tbsp harissa paste mixed with tbsp finely chopped dried apricots 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1 tbsp soft light brown sugar tsp salt The juice of 1 orange 20g coriander leaves, chopped

Heat the oven to 220C (200C fan)/425F/gas 7. To make the marinade, toast the coriander and cumin seeds in a small dry frying pan on a medium heat for a minute or so, until fragrant, then transfer to a food processor. Add all the other marinade ingredients and blend to combine.

Toss the jackfruit and sliced onions on a baking tray, pour over the apricot marinade and toss again to coat. Roast for 15 minutes, stirring once halfway, then take out of the oven and sprinkle over the walnuts and pomegranate seeds.

To serve, gently warm the flatbreads in the oven. Smear a tablespoon of yoghurt across the middle of each flatbread, then top with the jackfruit mixture, followed by some herb salad. Roll and serve immediately.

Sarah Wasserman is head of food development at Mildreds. These recipes are edited extracts from Mildreds Easy Vegan: Exciting Food. Simply Cooked, co-authored with Alessandra Malacarne and published by Octopus at 26. To order a copy for 22.88, go to guardianbookshop.com

Should we all be vegan? On Tuesday 30 January at 8pm GMT, food writer and Guardian columnist Meera Sodha joins a live-streamed discussion on the pros, cons, realities and myths of a plant-based diet. Tickets available here.

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Mildreds vegan takes on Middle Eastern classics recipes - The Guardian

Danone-owned brand Silk is starting 2024 off with a challenge it hopes will help breakfast lovers stick to their plant-based resolutions. And the vegan milk brands new Feel Planty Good Challenge comes with plenty of star power and prizes.

This campaign brings together a stellar lineup of personalities, including Pelotons fitness guru Robin Arzn, actress Vanessa Hudgens, NFL star Saquon Barkley, and social media sensation Barbara Babs Costello.

Ive been vegan for over 10 years and I always start my day with a smoothie, so joining in on the Feel Planty Good Challenge was a no-brainer, Arzn tells VegNews.

As a New York Times bestselling author and a respected figure in the fitness community, Arzns journey from a corporate lawyer to a global fitness leader is fueled by her decade-long commitment to a vegan lifestyle.

Robin Arzn

Just like her accessible workouts with Peloton, this partnership with Silk gives Arzn another way to bring her fitness and wellness philosophy right to her fans.

You all know that I wear many hats and wont be put in any one box, Arzn says. I want to widen the aperture of what it means to light fires in everything I do, and Silk makes it convenient to prioritize nutrition and set up my day for success even when its packed with workouts, teaching, content shoots, meetings, events, and being a parent.

Silk

For the campaign, Arzn created the Mean Green Matcha Machine, a blend of Silk Almondmilk, almond butter, matcha, frozen mango, spinach, hemp seeds, flaxseeds, and an uncommon smoothie ingredient: cauliflower. For optimal texture, she shares that the cauliflower should be steamed and frozen before blending.

Making the vegan smoothie is a good start toward keeping your plant-based resolutions but Arzn says that creating other digestible goals is key.

Given her captivating life journey, Arzns role in the campaign is pivotal, according to Leora Kelley, Director of Silk Plant-Based Beverages.

Robin Arzn inspires so many people on a daily basis with her fitness regimenand since shes been vegan for more than ten years, we knew she would be a perfect partner to show challenge participants just how easy it is to incorporate plant-based alternatives into their everyday lives, Kelley tells VegNews.

In addition to the Mean Green Matcha Machine, the campaign features unique smoothie recipes from its other celebrity participants.Hudgens presents her Beige Not Boring smoothie, Barkley shares his Tofu Touchdown blend, and Costello introduces her Red Berry Crisp smoothie.

A solid morning routine is so important, but I usually have to do breakfast on the road, Hudgens said in a statement. Thats why Im excited to partner with Silk to share my little smoothie secret. Starting the day with a plant-based, nutrient-packed breakfast helps me feel my best, and I hope it can help others too. Like Arzn, Hudgens smoothie, made with maple syrup and peanut butter, includes unexpected ingredients like chickpeas.

Silk

These creations were all developed to highlight the broad appeal and versatility of Silks offerings, which include a variety of almond, oat, cashew, coconut, and soy milks, along with creamers and yogurts.

Every new year, people want to make changes to live a healthier life, Leora Kelley, Director of Silk Plant-Based Beverages, tells VegNews.

To incentivize this healthful shift, those who join the challenge for seven days and register their participation on Silks website have the opportunity to win exciting prizes, including the grand prize of free breakfast for life and additional rewards of free breakfast for a year for six other participants.

At Silk, we believe in the power of plants, Kelley says. Whether youve been vegan for years now or are newer to the world of plant-based, our goal is to show everyone how choosing plant-based products for breakfast can help to set them up for the rest of their day, which is why we created the Silk Feel Planty Good Challenge.

In addition to the celebrities participating in Silks latest campaign, the start of the year has brought other exciting partnerships promoting free breakfast options. Among them is the collaboration between Travis Barker, the iconic drummer of Blink-182, and dairy-free cheese brand Violife.

Together, they introduced the Wiiildy Good Breakfast Club, an initiative offering consumers complimentary vegan bagels accompanied by Violifes dairy-free cream cheese.

This offer is a strategic part of their broader goal to encourage the adoption of plant-based diets, particularly aligning with New Years resolutions that often focus on health and wellness.

Violife

Through the Wiiildy Good Breakfast Club, Barkerwho has been vegan for 17 yearsseeks to share this enthusiasm for plant-based eating.

Combined, the Silk and Violife campaigns bring celebrity power to plant-based breakfasts with the mission of helping consumers stick to plant-based resolutions far past Veganuarythe month-long challenge to go vegan in January.

And new figures show that 80 percent of Veganuary participants reduced their intake of animal products after the campaign while 28 percent chose to stay vegan indefinitely.

Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.

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Forget Veganuary, Peloton's Robin Arzn And Silk Will Give You Free Vegan Breakfast For Life - VegNews

In the grocery store you can find many vegan milk options, the dairy section is now full of as many plant-based products as cow milk.

Unsure about these new "milks"? They are simply alternatives to traditional cow's milk and come from sources like almonds and rice. Each has its own set of pros and cons.

Choosing vegan milk is common among vegans, lactose-intolerant individuals, or those allergic to dairy.

Many people also choose to avoid animal products for ethical or environmental purposes.

When weighed against cow's milk, almond milk has more unsaturated fat and less saturated fat. The healthy fats in almond milk may help with weight loss as well as maintenance. Almond milk may not be suitable for everyone, particularly small children, due to its small calorie and protein content.

Not everyone's on a diet! If you're aiming to pile on calories, choose wisely. Go for healthy protein options. Many brands infuse almond milk with calcium, all to mimic cow's milk nutritionally.

Cashew milk has a somewhat nutty flavor and can be used in cooking and baking. The fat in this product is primarily unsaturated fat, making it an excellent alternative for people with high cholesterol or who need to limit their fat intake.

Each cup of cashew milk contains only about two grams of carbs. It is appropriate to use in espresso and lends a lovely thickness to a latte.

Oat milk has recently seen a boom in popularity, as it checks several boxes in terms of sustainability. Because it is adaptable and frequently gluten-free, it may be good for people with Coeliac disease.

They have more fiber, especially soluble fiber known as beta-glucans, that may help decrease cholesterol. However, oat milk does still possess some disadvantages, so consult your doctor before any dietary changes are advised.

Soy milk, filled with protein and less fat, is the top dairy milk alternative out there. It's got isoflavones, similar to female hormones, which may cut cholesterol, ease menopausal woes, and boost bone strength.

Hence, choosing soy milk as your vegan milk option can prove to be a smart choice.

Rice milk is considered to offer numerous health advantages due to its naturally occurring antioxidants, as well as being thought to enhance metabolism. It's a terrific, dairy-free alternative to cow's milk.

Because the flavor of non-sweetened rice milk isn't particularly appealing to a lot of individuals, manufacturers frequently sweeten it to more closely resemble typical cow's milk.

Coconut milk is made from brown coconut flesh and water. The diluted milk made from coconuts for drinking, as opposed to the concentrated variety sold in cans that are used for cooking, has a creamy consistency with a mildly sweet coconut flavor.

Although coconut milk lacks nutritional value, it does make an excellent substitute in hot chocolates, drinks with few calories that require milk, and as a tropical touch in granola, cereal, and smoothies.

Macadamia nut milk includes more good monounsaturated fats, which are thought to reduce inflammation throughout the body, lower harmful cholesterol levels, and improve cell function.

In other words, they're high in healthy fat and low in dangerous trans fats. Because macadamia milk contains more fat and less sugar than almond milk, it is a superior choice for Keto as well as Paleo diet enthusiasts.

One cup of pea milk contains eight grams of protein and is nut-free for individuals who are allergic to soy as well as other nut-based milk. It has a mild, toasted flavor and is thicker compared to other milk replacements.

Pea milk is one of the most similar plant-based substitutes for cow's milk.

While cow's milk is high in protein and calcium, vegan milk can be high in these nutrients as well, based on the kind of plant used.

Vegan milk is frequently lower in fat and calorie content than cow's milk, which makes it a popular choice for dieters.

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8 Fantastic vegan milk options and their benefits - Sportskeeda

Veganuary 2024: Celebrities Share Why They Went Vegan  Slurrp

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Veganuary 2024: Celebrities Share Why They Went Vegan - Slurrp

Popular budget supermarket Aldi just launched a brand new, all-vegan range called MyVay in Germany. It includes plant-based steak, smoked salmon, and more, all clearly labeled as vegan to make shopping easier for consumers.

The new line of products will be available exclusively from Aldi Nord and Aldi Sd throughout Germany, with slight variance in the product range between the two stores.

Aldi notes in a press release that it aims to make plant-based products and a sustainable and conscious diet affordable for everyone, also adding that the new range is for vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians or customers who want to try out a plant-based diet.

In addition to two kinds of vegan steak and a plant-based smoked salmon, products include yogurt and spreadable cream at Aldi Nord, along with oat drink, falafel, and a savory delicatessen spread at Aldi Sd. They also join the approximately 850 vegan items sold at Aldi Nord and 950 items at Aldi Sd.

Aldi is launching MyVay to coincide with Veganuary 2024, which marks the supermarket chains fifth anniversary of participating and promoting plant-based foods.

Aldi is already renowned for its plant-based products throughout Europe and the UK, the latter of which has seen a notable expansion of the existing Plant Menu range for Veganuary.

Early last year the supermarket stated its goal of reaching 1,000 plant-based products by the end of 2024, but Aldi is notably reducing its use of animal-derived ingredients as well.

Furthermore, the company says it aims to make plant-based products more nutritionally balanced. To do this, it will create and put in place strict recipe guidelines by the end of 2025.

At the end of last year, the German government promised an investment of $41 million USD (38 million) to promote plant-based foods and alternative proteins nationwide.

This represents a growing trend throughout Europe to divest from high-impact animal agriculture in favor of plant foods now widely recognized to be preferable for human, animal, and environmental health.

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Aldi Introduces Huge New Vegan Brand 'MyVay' In Germany - Plant Based News

Canadian Company Unveils Vegan Kaviar: A Sustainable Twist on Luxury

Modern Plant Based Foods Inc., a trailblazing Canadian food company, has unveiled a new line of gourmet products titled Vegan Kaviar. This innovative line, launched with three distinctive flavors, namely, Salmon, Wasabi, and Beluga, is set to revolutionize the plant-based industry. By offering the luxurious taste of traditional caviar at an affordable price point, these products cater to a diverse palate with sustainable and ethical choices.

The Vegan Salmon Caviar is a sustainable alternative for traditional caviar connoisseurs. The Vegan Wasabi Caviar is a flavor-packed product that brings a unique twist to the table with a surprising wasabi kick. Lastly, the Vegan Beluga Caviar is an indulgent delicacy that replicates the taste and texture of the highly prized Beluga caviar.

Avtar Dhaliwal, CEO of Modern Plant-Based Foods, underlines the companys ambition to provide affordable luxury and bridge a market gap. The company strives to offer products that retain the finesse of high-end caviar without the hefty price tag. In doing so, it has placed itself at the forefront of sustainable and ethical food choices.

Modern Plant-Based Foods is committed to a holistic approach towards plant-based living. Its products are free from soy, gluten, nuts, and GMOs, reaffirming the companys dedication to sustainability and ethical food production. The vegan caviar line is available in select gourmet stores and online, making it widely accessible to consumers.

The companys recent launch marks a significant milestone in the plant-based industry. With its forward-looking vision for future operations and potential business activities, Modern Plant-Based Foods Inc. continues to lead the charge in transforming the way food is produced and consumed, for the benefit of people, animals, and the environment.

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Vegan Kaviar: An Affordable Luxury by Modern Plant Based Foods Inc. - BNN Breaking

New year, new you? To start 2024 with a bang (and bank some much-needed inspiration), we asked some of our favorite vegan chefs, celebrities, and social media stars about their goals for the New Year. From spreading the plant-based message to focusing on self-care goals, dive into the inspiring commitments theyve set for the year ahead and start planning your own.

Harper Collins

Instagram/Mena Massoud

Letizia Cigliutti

Spike Mendelsohn

Lauren Toyota

Tracy Nguyen

Zacchary Bird

Reina Montenegro

Toni Okamoto

Nick Cutsumpas/Instagram

Aruka Sanchir(@ruukes) is the Senior Digital Editor at VegNews.

Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission. In no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.

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These Are the New Year's Resolutions From Your 10 Favorite Vegan Celebrities, Chefs, and Social Media Stars - VegNews

It might not be the first thing you think of in association with the United Kingdom, but its undeniable that Brits love crisps. (Or chips, for US readers.) The savory scents, countless flavors, and satisfying crunch combine to make crisps of all kinds some of the most popular snacks both here and around the world. However, the UKs singular devotion to the salty treat remains unparalleled.

Brits alone consume around 6 billion packets of crisps annually thats an average of around 150 packs each per year plus another 4.4 billion bags of other assorted savory snacks as well, which is more than everyone else in Europe put together. The UK crisp market is predicted to reach a whopping 2.6 billion by 2024, with analysts also noting a drift towards premium and luxury brands in recent years.

Clearly labeled vegan crisps have also become increasingly commonplace, though long before the ongoing boom in plant-based products many different brands and supermarkets were producing accidentally vegan crisps and snacks. Because changing recipes and ingredients can be a little tricky to stay on top of, we at Plant Based News have prepared this comprehensive guide to vegan crisps, organized by brand.

(Please note: many of the crisps included in this list contain no animal products, but are not explicitly labeled as vegan due to the risk of cross-contamination during production. Recipes are subject to change you should always check before you buy. This list concerns crisps in the UK, and recipes may differ in other countries).

Walkers is the single largest brand in the UK for savory snacks. The Leicester-based company produces approximately 11 million bags of crisps per day and uses 800 tons of potatoes to make them. (Thats the weight equivalent of around 20 humpback whales!)

Walkers launched three new vegan crisp flavors for Veganuary 2024, which are Grilled Cheese Toastie, Vegan BBQ Pork Ribs, and Vegan Flame Grilled Steak. The Unbelievable! range is dedicated to providing meaty and cheesy crisp flavors without animal products.

Walkers Unbelievable! Vegan range of crisps our latest launch signals our commitment to continue to offer choice to consumers, said Rachael Smith, Senior Marketing Manager, in a statement. We always strive to ensure shoppers dont have to compromise on taste when making a dietary choice. You honestly wont believe theyre vegan!

Many of the core Walkers range are already vegan-friendly, including Ready Salted, Prawn Cocktail, Marmite, Worcester Sauce, Pickled Onion, Roast Chicken, and of course, Salt & Vinegar. (Ones to avoid include BBQ Pulled Pork, which includes real animal-derived pork powder, and Cheese & Onion, which contains milk or whey powder.)

Only the Sea Salt, Sticky Barbecue, and Prawn Cocktail flavor Baked crisps are vegan, as the majority of the range contains powdered milk or whey in the seasoning blend. (RIP Salt & Vinegar.) Milk powders might be used for a variety of reasons, including to enhance the flavor or to help the flavorings cake on the crisps.

Sensations (which is technically another Walkers venture, as so many of these varieties are) was created as a fancy alternative to the core range. Sensations come in a mix of flavors, but only a select few are vegan-friendly. However, its worth noting that the Sweet Chili Peanuts are suitable for vegans too!

Walkers Squares are a super-vinegary lunchbox staple thanks to their strong flavor and big crunch. They also come in a mix of flavors but Ready Salted and Salt & Vinegar are vegan.

The Max range was designed by Walkers around a ridged crisp shape, which the company marketed as holding additional flavor. Launched in 1999, Walkers Max crisps were another particularly iconic school lunch item through to the mid-noughties.

Sunbites is another Walkers venture that was launched in 2007 as a healthier alternative to conventional fried potato crisps. Sunbites are made of three whole grains (corn, wheat, and oats) and baked instead of fried. Compared to other varieties, they are relatively high in protein and fiber without sacrificing on flavor or crunch.

Cheesy Quavers might be off-limits for those following a vegan diet, but the new-old flavors of Salt & Vinegar and Prawn Cocktail are both made without dairy products. (Did you know the secret ingredient for Quavers unique texture is potato starch?)

In 1966, Frito-Lays Doritos actually became the very first nationally available tortilla chip in the US. Known for their sharp crunch and bold flavors, UK customers have access to just a small number of Doritos flavors, including two vegan-friendly staples.

Hula Hoops have been a UK staple since 1973 and are unique for their hollow, cylindrical shape. (How many can you fit on your fingers?)

KPs Discos were another 1970s launch and were popularized for their unique texture and strong flavor. There are a few varieties, but currently only Salt & Vinegar are vegan-friendly.

Smiths crisps were established in the UK back in the 1920s before moving production to Australia a decade later. Initially sold simply as salted potato chips in a greaseproof paper bag, by 1956 the company was producing 10 million packets every week. Both Salt & Vinegar and Salt & Shake (arguably the two classic flavors) are suitable for vegans.

Cofresh is a snack brand that was set up in 1974 by an Indian family who initially produced Bombay Mix in their fish and chip shop. Today, Cofresh has a turnover of nearly 30 million. The core range includes potato-based crisps, Ganthiya, poppadom curls, and more. However, its Cofreshs Eat Real label that might be most familiar to vegans with its chickpea and quinoa-based gluten-free snacks, all of which are vegan.

Another classic from KP, Wheat Crunchies are extremely crunchy tube-shaped snacks that come in a mixture of flavors. However, only Crispy Bacon and Worcester Sauce are vegan (RIP Spicy Tomato).

Before Walkers dominance of the UK crisp market, Golden Wonder was the leading national brand. A classic-style potato chip available in a huge range of flavors.

In contrast to the majority of the crisp brands listed here, Skips are designed to melt in the mouth rather than crunch. Made with either tapioca or maize starch, Skips fizz as they dissolve, and while there have been several flavors over the years, only the original is vegan.

Another ridged crisp, McCoys are named after the Scottish idiom the real McCoy meaning authenticity, or the real deal. They are currently the third biggest brand in the bagged crisps market and the number one crinkle-cut crisp.

Invented in 1968, Pringles were initially marketed as newfangled potato chips. Because Pringles are only 42 percent potato, they have long sparked debate over whether they qualify as chips or not something that both the US Food and Drug Administration and the London High Court have weighed in on. A final fun fact: the precise aerodynamics of Pringles crisps have been optimized for processing with the help of supercomputers.

These teddy bear-shaped crisps are also made with reconstituted potato along with starch and paprika. Produced in the Netherlands, Pom Bears are now available in over 30 countries. They are available in three main flavors, and Original (ready salted) is vegan.

Nik Naks is a corn-based snack that was originally marketed as a crunchy version of Wotsits. The crisps are known for their almost hard texture and strong flavors.

Tyrrells is a widely awarded producer of crisps and snacks, but in recent years has become particularly known for its other root vegetable-based crisps which have a unique flavor. There are a wide variety of vegan options, including both potato and root veg varieties.

Best served fresh from your local corner shop or a leisure center vending machine, Space Raiders are another classic British snack still popular today. Until 2010, each bag featured a short comic strip about aliens, which has now been replaced with a set of alien stats.

In addition to the above is also a huge variety of ever-changing private-label crisps produced by supermarkets every year, and the easiest way to find the latest affordable snacks is to check the ingredients. In fact, many private-label versions of name-brand snacks are vegan whereas the originals are not. (Were looking at you, Frazzles.)

Some specific supermarket honorable mentions include Asdas Free-From Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips, Aldis Snackrite Monster Claws and Original Teddy Faces, Sainsburys Bacon Crispies and Onion Rings, and Tescos Finest Root Vegetables & Sea Salt Potato Chips.

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From Doritos To Walkers: The Ultimate Guide To UK Vegan Crisps - Plant Based News

Wearing animal fur has long been a way for humans to keep warm in the winter. But nowadays, when there are so many alternatives at our fingertips and discussions about animal welfare are starting to enter the mainstream, the need for fur might have become outdated.

But what about vintage and secondhand fur? Should that be seen the same way as a brand new mink coat? According to artist Alexandra Yvette, the two are not the same. Below, youll find a TikTok that Alexandra recently shared detailing how she was denied entry to a bar because of her coat, as well as some of the responses viewers have shared online.

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Image credits: Markus Spiske (not the actual photo)

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

I got kicked out of a bar in New York for wearing fur. And I feel like I didnt get the memo that wearing fur in New York is, I guess, really offensive.

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

It was vintage, it was a mink coat from the 30s. So it was very old. And I do feel okay with wearing vintage fur. I know some people dont agree with that. But personally, its never bothered me. I would never buy a fur coat new.

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

But anyways, I walked up to this bar. It was like a speakeasy. And the man was like, Is your coat real? And I was like, Yes, its real. Its really old. Its from the 30s. And he was like, That doesnt matter. Fur is not allowed here. You need to leave.

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

And I thought he was joking. So I kind of just looked at him and I was like, Really? And he was like, Yeah, please go. It was such an intense moment. I almost wanted to cry because it just felt like such a weird rejection. And then I was questioning my morals.

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

While a soft fur coat might be your ideal choice to keep warm in during the winter, its important to know where that piece of clothing came from and what sacrifices had to be made to create it. According to PETA, about 100 million animals are killed each year for their fur, and prior to being skinned, these creatures are kept in terrible conditions. They live in cramped, filthy cages before being killed through some of the cheapest and most cruel methods available, such as suffocation, electrocution, gas and poison.

Today, over half of the fur in the United States comes from China, where millions of dogs and cats are skinned alive for their fur, PETA reports. This fur is often intentionally mislabeled as well, meaning that theres no way of truly knowing what animal youre wearing in the winter.

Because of how brutal the fur industry is, activists have been taking a stand against fur for decades. You may have seen people get red paint thrown on their real fur coats, particularly during the 1990s, and apparently a handful of NYC establishments have banned patrons from entering if theyre wearing real fur.

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Image credits: Clem Onojeghuo (not the actual photo)

The Back Room, which viewers have guessed was the bar Alexandra was visiting, states, The Back Room does not allow real fur on their site. Vegan restaurant Spicy Moon has a similar message on their door: We prefer that you not wear fur. If youre wearing animals fur, we still warmly welcome you to our establishment but we hope youll open your heart to animals and go fur-free.

While the fur industry is undeniably cruel, as with anything else in the world, this topic requires nuance. Yes, it is better to avoid buying fur than to purchase a new mink coat. But what about leather, suede and wool? Those industries are cruel to animals as well, yet most people dont seem to have a problem with them, the same way most people dont have an issue with eating meat. Cognitive dissonance is prevalent in how many people say that feel about animals versus which industries they choose to support.

And shouldnt we consider secondhand goods to be in a different category than products bought brand new? Our world is producing 92 million tons of textile waste each year, The Round Up reports. Yet still, between 80-100 billion new clothing items are produced around the globe annually. Shopping secondhand whenever possible is much better for the environment. While some might argue that wearing a fur coat from the 30s is still driving up demand because others might see it and try to purchase a similar look, Alexandra did not contribute to creating clothing waste by purchasing it.

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Image credits: Jakayla Toney(not the actual photo)

Personally, Ive been vegan for 7 years, and I will still occasionally buy leather or wool items from a thrift store, as I know theyre high quality and are a better choice than buying something brand new. No, I dont love the idea of wearing animal products, but I still have pairs of shoes that I bought before going vegan that have leather on them as well. Its understandable why Alexandra might not have had a problem with vintage fur, while also saying that she would never buy a new fur coat.

Whether or not its acceptable to wear secondhand animal products is a gray area for vegans. Some choose to avoid them all, while others would rather choose something that was created decades ago than create more demand in the current fashion industry. But as far as whether or not we can tell others what is acceptable to wear, Im not sure thats our business.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Then, if youre interested in reading another Bored Panda article discussing a similar topic, look no fur-ther than right here!

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Image credits: Adri Jimnez (not the actual photo)

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Vegan Gets Kicked Out Of A Bar For Wearing Fur, Starts Questioning Her Morals - Bored Panda