Guilty Pleasures
A few disclaimers before getting into this list.
- These products are from brand giants and are mass-produced throughout the country. They produce other products that are not vegan in the same facilities in which their “accidentally vegan” products are made.
- Refined sugar is traditionally processed with a material dubbed “natural charcoal” by the industry. The natural charcoal used to process sugar is made from bone char, which is just what it sounds like. However, with the massive quantities needed to produce the following products on a regular basis, most companies use many sources to fulfill their sugar needs, often utilizing beet sugar, as well as sugar that has not been refined with animal bone char to supplement their production requirements. For this reason, it is very difficult to determine whether or not a ‘mainstream’ product containing refined sugar is or is not truly vegan. If this is concern for, you are probably already a full-fledged, card-carrying vegan, and have no use for this list of Guilty Pleasures, please move directly to the page titled “Too Legit to Quit”, where you will find a list of our favorite CERTIFIED vegan products.
- As mentioned above, this list is not intended for ‘seasoned’ vegans. It’s meant for those who want to decrease the amount of animal products in their daily routines, fledgling vegans still trying to get their footing in a non-vegan world, and those of us who sometimes find ourselves in a situation (like work or family celebrations with non-vegans, road trips with carnivorous friends, or emergency fast food meals) in which it’s not practical or even feasible to live up to the high standards of the elite vegan mafia. In other words, this list is meant for regular people transitioning into veganism and coping in a livestock driven society.
- Please do not send me angry vegan hate mail, I’m really not interested. It perpetuates the militant judgemental stereotype that is associated with vegans, and NO ONE is interested in dealing with that, I assure you. Instead, I invite you to embrace the list and see it for what it actually is, a step in the right direction.
- I in no way advocate a diet based solely on the items listed, nor do I present it as an exhaustive list of everything vegan lurking on your grocer’s shelves. Recipes change all the time. You should always read your labels.
Now with all of that out of the way, let’s get started.
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Breakfast: The most important meal of the day.
I know what you’re thinking. Vegan breakfast food= tree bark and raisins in a box. Sure, that’s a staple, but you can also still have these tasty, not so healthy treats too:
- Apple Jacks
- Captain Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch
- Cinnamon Life
- Cocoa Pebbles
- Cocoa Puffs
- Cocoa Krispies
- Corn Chex
- Corn Flakes
- Corn Pops
- Cracklin’ Oat Bran
- Crispix
- Frosted Flakes
- Fruit Loops
- Fruity Pebbles
- Kix
- Life Cereal
- Multi-Bran Chex
- Pop Tarts Unfrosted Apple Cinnamon
- Pop Tarts Unfrosted Blueberry
- Pop Tarts Unfrosed Brown Sugar Cinnamon
- Pop Tarts Unfrosted Strawberry
- Quaker Instant Oatmeal Apples & Cinnamon
- Quaker Instant Oatmeal Cinnamon & Spice
- Quaker Instant Oatmeal Date & Walnut
- Quaker Instant Oatmeal Original
- Quaker Instant Oatmeal Raisins & Spice
- Quaker Instant Grits Original
- Raisin Bran
- Reese’s Puffs
- Rice Chex
- Rice Krispies
- Trix
- Wheat Chex
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Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew?
Cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two? The candyman... Because we all need a little something sweet every now and then.
- Airheads Taffy
- Blow Pops
- Brach’s Cinnamon Hard Candy
- Brach’s Orange Slices
- Brach’s Root Beer Barrels
- Brach’s Star Brites
- Charms Lollipops
- Chick-o-Sticks
- Cola Breeze Gummy Candy (Haribro)
- Cry Babies
- Dots
- Dum Dums
- Everest Gum
- Fireballs
- Fluffy Stuff Cotton Candy
- Fruit by the Foot
- Fruitabu Smooshed Fruit Roll-ups
- Hot Tamales
- Hubba Bubba Bubblegum
- Jelly Belly Fruit Snacks
- Jolly Joes
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
- Jolly Rancher Lollipops
- Jujubees
- Jujyfruits
- Laffy Taffy
- Lemonheads
- Lifesavers
- Mambas–Original
- Mamabas–Sour
- Mary Janes Regular
- Mary Janes Peanut Butter Kisses
- Mike and Ikes
- Now and Laters
- Orbitz Gum
- Ring Pops
- Ritter Sport Marzipan Bar
- Skittles Crazy Cores
- Skittles Chocolate
- Smarties (US version only)
- Sour Patch Kids
- Starburst Jelly Beans
- Sunkist Fruit Gems
- Super Bubble gum
- Swedish Fish
- Sweet Tarts
- Twizzlers
- Wonka Bottlecaps
- Wonka Gobstoppers
- Wonka Nerds
- Wonka Runts
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Conveniently Delicious
Next time you find yourself on a road trip with omnivores who seem to be able to eat anywhere without any inconvenience and are forced to make a make-shift meal at a convenience store out of necessity, reach for these and relish in the fact you too can grab and go without compromise. Most of these can also be a suitable answer to the question “what will you bring” to any office, birthday, or sporting event celebration.
- Any of the Breakfast Items or Candies listed above
- Cracker Jacks
- Doritos–Spicy Sweet Chili
- Doritos–Diablo Enchilada
- Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies–Chocolate
- Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies– Oatmeal Macaroon
- Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies–Peanut Butter
- Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies–Vanilla
- Fritos Barbeque
- Fritos Original
- Grandma’s Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
- Hain Apple Cinnamon Rice Cakes
- Herr’s Salsa and Lime Tortilla Chips
- Herr’s Onion Flavored Rings
- Keebler Animal Crackers
- Keebler Club Crackers
- Keebler Vienna Fingers
- Kool Aid Gels
- Kozy Shack Jammin’ Jels
- Lance Captain Wafers
- Lance Choc-O Cookies
- Lance Malt Crackers with Peanut Butter
- Lance Nekot Cookies with Peanut Butter
- Lance Nut-O Lunch Cookies–Peanut Butter
- Lance Nut-O Lunch Cookies–Strawberry Creme
- Lance Peanut Bar
- Lance Sugar Wafers–Strawberry Creme
- Lance Sugar Wafers–Vanilla Creme
- Lance Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter
- Lance Van-O Lunch Cookies
- Lay’s Potato Chips
- Lay’s Natural Country Barbeque Potato Chips
- Lay’s Thick Cut Sea Salt Potato Chips
- Lay’s Stax Original
- Lay’s Yellow Corn Chips
- Lay’s Blue Corn Chips
- Lorna Doone Shortbread
- Melba Toast–Rye
- Melba Toast–Sesame
- Melba Toast–Wheat
- Munchos
- Murray Butter Cookies
- Murray Cinnamon Grahams
- Murray Coconut Bars
- Murray Southern Kitchen Iced Oatmeal Cookies
- Murray Sugar-Free Vanilla Wafers
- Nabisco Gingersnaps
- Nabisco Iced Oatmeal Cookies
- Nabisco Original Graham Crackers
- Nabisco Saltine Crackers
- Nabisco Teddy Grahams–Cinnamon
- Nabisco Teddy Grahams–Chocolate
- Nature Valley Granola Bars–Brown Sugar
- New York Flatbread–Everything
- New York Flatbread–Garlic
- New York Flatbread–Fat Free
- Nutter Butter Bites
- Nutter Butter Coookies
- Oreos–Original
- Oreos–Spring
- Oreos–Chocolate Creme
- Oreos–Uh-Oh Oreos
- Oreos–Double Stuf
- Oreos–Reduce Fat
- Oreos–Strawberry Creme
- Oreos–Golden Oreos
- Oreos–Halloween
- Oreo Fun Stix
- Oreo Thin Crisps
- Quaker Apple Cinnamon Rice Cakes
- Ritz Regular Crackers
- Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers
- Ritz Crackers–Peanut Butter Sandwich
- Snackwells Cracked Pepper Crackers
- Snyder’s Jalapeno Pretzel Bites
- Snyder’s Pretzel Sticks–Pumpernickle/Onion
- Snyder’s Pretzel Sticks–Oat Bran
- Sun Chips–Original
- Toasteds Crackers–Sesame
- Toasteds Crackers–Wheat
- Town House Crackers–Original
- Triscuit Crackers–Original
- Triscuit Crackers–Reduced Fat
- Triscuit Crackers–Garlic Herb
- Triscuit Crackers–Roasted Garlic
- Wheat Thins–Original
- Wheat Thins–Multigrain
- Wheat Thins–Reduced Fat
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Condiments: The sauce of life.
What would food be without all the sauces, spices, and other miscellanea to add to it? It is my personal belief that some foods are just vehicles and reasons to eat more condiments. You can enjoy these til your heart’s content and your belly’s full.
- Campbell’s Franco-American Mushroom Gravy
- Classico Pasta Sauce–Roasted Garlic
- Classico Pasta Sauce–Spicy Red Pepper
- Dona Maria Mole Sauce
- El Paso Enchilada Sauce
- Girard’s Champagne Dressing
- Girard’s Italian Dressing
- Girard’s Original French Dressing
- Girard’s Raspberry Dressing
- Hunt’s Manwich Sauce
- Kellogg’s Corn Flake Crumbs
- Knorr Red Bell Pepper Pesto Sauce Mix
- Kraft Balsamic Dressing
- Kraft Catalina Dressing
- Kraft Classic Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
- Kraft Creamy Italian Dressing
- Kraft Fat-Free Italian Dressing
- Kraft French Dressing
- Lipton Recipe Soup and Dip Mix–Onion Mushroon
- Lipton Recipe Soup and Dip Mix–Onion
- Lipton Recipe Soup and Dip Mix–Vegetable
- Mc Cormick Bac’n Pieces
- Mc Cormick Spaghetti Sauce Mix
- Newman’s Own Light Balsamic Dressing
- Newman’s Own Light Italian Dressing
- Newman’s Own Raspberry & Walnut Dressing
- Newman’s Own Olive Oil & Vinegar Dressing
- Newman’s Own Red Wine Vinegar & Olive Oil Dressing
- Newman’s Own Regular Balsamic Dressing
- Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix
- Pepperidge Farms Cubed Herb Seasoned Stuffing
- Prego Mushroom Pasta Sauce
- Ragu Pizza Sauce
- Smucker’s Goober Grape Peanut Butter
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Baby, It’s Cold Outside.
Actually, it’s cold inside–where you’ll find this next group of items: the refrigerated/freezer section of your grocery store.
- Athens Phyllo Dough
- Athens Phyllo Mini Shells
- Edy’s No-Sugar Fruit Bars
- Edy’s Whole Fruit Bars
- Fleischmann’s Light Margarine
- General Mills Italian Style Vegetables
- General Mills Roasted Potatoes with Garlic & Herbs
- Lender’s Bagels–Cinnamon Raisin
- Lender’s Bagels–Onion
- Lender’s Bagels–Plain
- Luigi’s Italian Ice
- Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade Bars
- Mrs. Smith’s Deep Dish Pie Crush
- Pepperidge Farms Puff Pastry Sheets
- Pepperidge Farms Puff Pastry Shells
- Pillsbury Corn Bread Twists
- Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
- Pillsbury Turnovers–Apple
- Pillsbury Turnovers–Cherry
- Push Pops
- Safeway Canned Whipped Cream
- Simply Potatoes–Diced Potato with Onion
- Simply Potatoes–New Potato Wedges
- Simply Potatoes–Shredded Hash brwns
- Smart Balance Light Buttery Spread
- Smart Beat Super Light Margarine
- Smart Squeeze Fat-Free Margarine
- Smuckers Uncrustables–Peanut Butter & Grape Jelly
- Smuckers Uncrustables–Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jelly
- SuperPretzel Baked Soft Pretzels
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Dry Goods: Worry-free Pantry Stockers
- Anna’s Almond Cinnamon Thins
- Anna’s Ginger Thins
- Archway Ginger Snaps
- Aunt Jemima Coffee Cake Mix
- Aunt Jemima Syrup Dunkers
- Aunt Jemima Original Syrup
- Aunt Jemima Whole Wheat Pancake/Waffle Mix
- Bisquick
- Brownstone Baking Co. Mini Bagel Crisps–Garlic
- Campbell’s Franco-American Mushroom Gravy
- Campbell’s Tomato Soup
- Carr’s Table Wafers
- Carr’s Tea Biscuits
- Del Monte White Corn Cream Style
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
- Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate–Chocolate Hazelnut
- Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate–Chocolate Mocha
- Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate–Double Chocolate
- Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate–White Mocha
- Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate
- Green Giant Cream Style Sweet Corn
- Goya Flan Mix
- Healthy Choice Garden Vegetable Soup
- Hershey Syrup–Chocolate
- Hershey Syrup–Strawberry
- Hodgson Mill Bran Muffin Mix
- Hodgson Mill Caraway Rye Bread Mix
- Hodgson Mill White Bread Mix
- Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Gingerbread Mix
- Hunts Manwich Sauce
- Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix–Banana Cream
- Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix–Chocolate
- Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix–Lemon
- Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix–Vanilla
- Keebler Ready Crust Pie Crust–Shortbread
- Kraft Baker’s Angel Flake Coconut
- Kraft Pasta Anytime–Spaghetti & Marinara
- Kraft French Fries Seasoning
- Kool-Aid Drink Mix
- Lipton Recipe Soup & Dip Mix–Vegetable
- Lipton Recipe Soup & Dip Mix–Onion Mushroom
- Lipton Recipe Soup & Dip Mix–Onion
- Manischewitz Sweet Potato Pancake Mix
- Manischewitz Whole Wheat Matzo
- Manischewitz Unsalted Matzo
- Manischewitz Savory Garlic Matzo
- Manischewitz Original Matzo
- Manischewitz Matzo Meal
- Martha White Pizza Crust Mix
- Mc Cormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix
- Mc Cormick Chili Seasoning Mix–Original
- Mc Cormick Chili Seasoning Mix–Hot
- Mc Cormick Chili Seasoning Mix–Mild
- Mc Cormick Pasta Salad Vinaigrette Dressing Blend
- Mc Cormick Sloppy Joe Seasoning
- Mc Cormick Spaghetti Sauce Mix
- Near East Spanish Rice Pilaf
- Near East Toasted Almond Rice Pilaf
- Near East Toasted Pine Nut Couscous
- Near East Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Couscous
- Nescafe Ice Java Iced Coffee Syrup
- Nestle Nesquick Syrup–Chocolate
- Nestle Nesquick Syrup–Strawberry
- Nestle Nesquick Syrup–Very Vanilla
- Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce
- Old El Paso Fat-Free Refried Beans
- Old El Paso No-Fuss Fajita Dinner Kit
- Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix
- Old El Paso Taco Shells
- Oreo Chocolate Ice Cream Cone Cups
- Progresso Soup–Lentil
- Progresso Soup–Hearty Tomato
- Progresso Soup–Tomato Basil
- San Giorgio Pasta–Angel Hair
- San Giorgio Pasta–Elbow Macaroni
- San Giorgio Pasta–Rigatoni
- San Giorgio Pasta–Rotelle
- San Giorgio Pasta–Spaghetti
- Swanson Vegetable Broth
- Taco Bell Soft Taco Dinner Kit
- Taco Bell Taco Dinner Kit
- Taco Bell Refried Beans
- Top Ramen–Original
- Thai Kitchen Noodle Bowls–Thai Peanut
- Thai Kitchen Noodle Bowls–Roasted Garlic
- Thai Kitchen Noodle Bowls–Pad Thai
- Tropical Source Dark Chocolate Chips
- Zatarain’s Box Mix–Red Beans & Rice
- Zatarain’s Box Mix–Black Beans & Rice
- Zatarain’s Box Mix–Black-Eyed Peas & Rice
- Zatarain’s Box Mix–Jambalaya
- Zatarain’s Box Mix–Gumbo Mix with Rice
- Zatarain’s Box Mix–Dirty Rice
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Good Carbs/Bad Carbs
It’s this simple: good carbs are the ones that taste good without the use of animal ingredients. Bad carbs are the ones that encourage bad behavior towards the animal kingdom. Mystery solved. You’re welcome.
- Arnold’s Carb-Counting Multi-Grain Bread
- Arnold’s Jewish Rye Bread
- Arnold’s Potato Sandwich Rolls
- Arnold’s Sesame Sandwich Rolls
- Arnold’s Stone Ground Whole Wheat Bread
- Arnold’s Wheat Sandwich Rolls
- Cobblestone Mill Hoagie Rolls
- Cobblestone Mill Jewish Rye Bread
- Cobblestone Mill Kaiser Rolls
- Cobblestone Mill Onion Rolls
- Cobblestone Mill Party Rolls
- Cobblestone Mill Pumpernickle Bread
- Cobblestone Mill White Sub Roll
- Cobblestone Mill Whole Wheat Bread
- Dutch Country Soft Potato Bread
- Dutch Country Whole Wheat
- Krispy Kreme Fruit Pies–Apple
- Krispy Kreme Fruit Pies–Cherry
- Krispy Kreme Fruite Pies–Peach
- Little Debbie Cake Donuts
- Pepperidge Farms Dark Pumpernickle Bread
- Pepperidge Farms Rye and Pumpernickle Bread
- Thomas New York Style Bagels–Blueberry
- Thomas New York Style Bagels–Cinnamon Swirl
- Thomas New York Style Bagels–Everything
- Thomas New York Style Bagels–Plain
- Thomas Toaster Bagels–Cinnamon Raisin
- Thomas Toaster Bagels—Plain
