30 Days of Vegan (Day 8); and Ingredient Labels

Day 8.

No changes, really. No headache today either. Pretty good for a Monday ;)

But I did go grocery shopping today. Planned to grab just a few of my staple items. Brown rice, bananas, some treats for our dog...

and then I got to the taco seasoning...

Seriously, one of my favorite dishes is/was vegetarian tacos. For me, they used to consist of black beans, taco seasoning, taco shells, and a bit of shredded cheese. Obviously, the cheese is not an option anymore. Still, I thought I'd just try a plain (perhaps naked is a better term?) black bean taco.

Imagine my dismay as I picked up the Market Pantry (Target store brand) taco seasoning, turned it around.. to see that it contained whey/milk. Gah.

Luckily, and perhaps strangely, all the 'brand name' options were milk free.

This example is just one of many that I've encountered over the past week. I've had to become a little obsessive with ingredient lists. Granted, I had a little practice at this when becoming vegetarian, having to inspect labels for 'gelatin' and such.

But it seems that milk and eggs are practically everywhere.

For example, I've found breads that are vegan friendly, while a similar one right next to them contains both. The steak buns are vegan friendly. The hoagie buns aren't. It all seems very random.. so one can never just assume.

Even the items aimed at vegetarians, completely exclude vegans. Most Morningstar items (and similar brands), although free of meat, seem to have egg as one of the top 3 ingredients. So much for the occasional breakfast sausage.

The limitation of the ingredient label, though, are all the ingredients that could come from a plant.. or could come from an animal. Companies aren't required to list the source, so sometimes, you have to make your best guess.

Some examples of ingredients that could come from either source:

• Calcium Carbonate
• Caprylic Acid
• Lipids
• Natural/Artificial Flavors
• Oleic Acid
• Palmitate
• Beta Carotene/Vitamin A
  
  and so many more! In fact, for a good list, check out Peta's extensive Animal Ingredient List.
  Don't forget to also check your cosmetics/beauty products for animal ingredients. They're super common!

At some level, though, I've had to concede that I won't always be able to know for sure.. and it's probably best for my mental well-being to not get hung up on it. I intend to just do the best I can with what I know. What consoles me in that fact is that these ingredients are generally byproducts from meat and dairy production. If I, and others, reduce the demand for meat and dairy.. then these byproducts will no longer be the cheapest 'filler' ingredient for these companies to use.

Like I said, I just have to the do the best I can with what I know.. and be willing to keep learning as I go.

In just 8 days.. I'm already learning my 'safe' items. The staples you can walk in, pick up, and not even think about.

And watching all this egg and dairy intake has had one 'symptom' I should mention...

I feel lighter.

Well, I am lighter. I've lost over 5 lbs.. but that's not what I'm talking about. I mean, I never eat a meal and feel stuffed, nauseated, bloated, or 'heavy' afterwards.

In all sincerety, it's not something that I noticed feeling.. until I didn't feel it anymore. There's just a new 'energy' about me.. and I'm liking it :)