The Vegan Detective

MOVED

2010-04-21T11:01:00.000-04:00

The Vegan Detective blog has moved you can now find us here

Tempeh Versus meat

2009-10-26T12:04:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I was eating some Tempeh the other day and after reading the package, I realized it wasn't just a great vegan source of protein. Tempeh also has a lot of iron in it!

I decided to see how it stacks up against meat.

So, here is 100 gram serving of tempeh compared to chicken and beef. I'm only going to list the big findings here

Tempeh
19 grams of protein
50% daily requirements of iron

Chicken
31 grams of protein
6% iron

Sirloin (trimmed to almost no fat)
26 grams of protein
10% iron

So, it looks like Tempeh wins the Iron debate! Although it does have a little less protein than the animal sources of protein such as chicken or beef, we all know that protein is quite easy to get!

-The Vegan Detetive
http://www.vegandetective.com

Found a dating site

2009-09-08T23:56:00.003-04:00

So, I've been looking into vegan and vegetarian dating sites recently.

I found one recently that is completely free. Yup, even messaging people. It just started so its quite new, but if anyone is interested they can sign up here.

-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com

Are your Cosmetics Vegan?

2009-07-25T15:50:00.005-04:00

I think one misconception that needs to be cleared up right away is that just because a product wasn't tested on animals doesn't make it vegan or vegetarian friendly. There are many animal sourced ingredients found in your makeup, shampoos, and anti wrinkle creams

Lets look at natural Moisturizing factor...Seems innocent enough right? Well, Natural Moisturizing factor is another name for Hyaluronic Acid. This is basically a product found in cosmetics to help reduce wrinkles. Typically, its sourced from animals.

A vegetarian friendly version of this product goes under the trademarked name Juvederm.

Hyaluronic Acid isn't the only product in your cosmetics to be concerned about...
Your makeup could include any of the following:

Lard
Lanolin
Beeswax
tallow
Milk Products
Propolis
Elastin
Hyaluronic Acid

Curious about what these products are? Visit our website and look up the ingredients on your face cream or lipstick.

What are some other issues to be concerned about? How bout seemilly good companies owned by bad companies.
Did you know that Nestle is a 50% owner of L'Oreal? L'Ooreal brands include: Biotherm, The Body shop, Vichy Laboratories, Garnier, Cacheral,and Maybelline amongst others.

Both L'Oreal and Nestle have long histories of animal abuse and exploitation. L'oreal has an interesting stance on animal testing. L'Oreal has stated they no longer employ the use of animal testing on finished products. Did you catch that? FINISHED products.
Notice the omission of ingredients in products from that statement. Again, just be leary of companies saying product not tested on animals. Always be sure that the ingredients aren't tested on animals. You look up extenisve information on ingredients in cosmetics, cleaners, and food items on our website.

-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com

Gelatinization - Different than Gelatin

2009-06-04T17:31:00.005-04:00

I was exploring a health food store and I noticed some gelatinized Maca Powder. Now, on the surface, seeing the word gelatinized should send a vegan running and screaming. Thing is, I noticed on a few other products that are mostly marketed towards vegans/vegetarians.

A little bit of research shows that gelatinized is quite different from gelatin! I had a look at a few gelatinized maca powder websites to find out what it is.

Basically, starch gelatinization is the breaking down of starch in the prsence of heat and water. In terms of maca powder, it removes the starch from the maca root, leaving a more concentrated, easier to digest maca powder (according the people selling it.)
I can't comment on whether the gelatinization process is as good as its decribed. I can say though, that gelatinized maca root is definitely vegan friendly!

-The Vegan Detective

Is Alcohol Vegan?

2009-05-26T20:31:00.003-04:00

Alcohol

If you are reading this, you probably don't know if alcohol is vegan. Well, the sad news it that not all alcohol is vegan (or vegetarian friendly for that matter). Part of the production process of beer and wine involves clarification, which is basically removing insoluble materials that may cloud the beverage. Clarification can occur naturally over time as insoluble products settle. This is a very time consuming process, so manufacturers have turned to fining agents to speed up this process.

Fining agents speed up the removal of insoluble products. While a number of products can be used, most compounds used in this process are animal based. The most popular fining agent would be isinglass, which is obtained from fish bladders.

Further information on commonly used fining agents such as isinglass can be found on our website

-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com

Not All Soy Cheeses are Made Equal

2009-05-26T20:22:00.003-04:00

Whether it be for the taste of the cheeses, or the fear of soy, chances are you’ve overheard a ‘beware of soy cheese‘ conversation. The Vegan Detective is offering another reason to be careful while eating/purchasing soy cheese: many of them are not vegan! Yes, that correct. Some companies produce “cheese” made from soy or rice milk, only to ruin it by adding casein.

For example, Yves Mac N Soy Cheese, contains Casein. As does Okanagan’s Soya Co.’s Cheddar Loaf. Before you vegans lose faith in all cheese alternatives, there are many vegan slices, toppings, and blocks available. Always double check and read the label. Remember, just because it contains soy, doesn’t make it vegan.
Unsure of an ingedients origins? Look it up on our website.

-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com

Beware of Hidden Animal Ingredients

2009-05-26T20:19:00.004-04:00

While you might think you are safe, animal ingredients can pop up in many common foods you eat without you knowing it! The following is a list of ingredients and products to watch out for!

Cheese
Obviously, cheese is not vegan friendly. However, what many people fail to realize is that many cheeses aren’t vegetarian friendly either. Most cheeses are made using rennet. Rennet is basically a group of enzymes typically sourced from cow stomach lining. Rennet is used to coagulate milk in the formation of cheese. There are vegetarian sources of coagulating agents. Therefore, some cheeses are suitable for vegetarians.

Wine and Beer
Although seemingly innocuous, many beers and wines use animal products in the production. Isinglass, a collagen formed from fish bladders is commonly used in the clarification of many beers and wines. Other animal products are sometimes used in this process. Fear not, many wines and beers are vegan friendly! If you have concerns about a few of your favourites, you can always email them. I comprehensive list will be made available soon!

Margarine
Margarine is another seemily vegan friendly product. Unfortunately, many margarines contain whey and/or casein. Whey and casein are proteins derived from milk, and thus, not vegan friendly.

Breads and Baked Goods
Many breads are vegan friendly. However, some have whey and/or casein added to them. Its also best to check the ingredients before purchasing. Baked goods can have all sorts of animal products added to them. Again, its always best to read the label, or check with the bakery.
Foods With Added Colour
Some colours added to foods are derived from animals. Therefore, any food that has colour added to is, is at risk of not being vegan or vegetarian friendly. Check out our alphabetical list to compare ingredients

Sauces and Broths
Beware of hidden animal ingredients in these products. Many broths are unfortunately made using chicken or other animals (even seemily vegetarian appearing products like curry may have a chick broth base). Always read labels and ask your servers if you’re out to eat.
If eating out at a restaurant, be sure to find out if the salad dressing or pasta sauce contains cheese.

Vitamins
Some, but not all vitamins may be sources from animals. Always read labels when purchasing a vitamin. They should indicate if they are vegetarian friendly. If you are unsure of vitamins added to the foods you are eating, look it up on www.vegandetective.com
Veggie Burgers

Yes, you read that right. Unfortunately, egg whites and some milk proteins have made their way into veggie burgers. While these are fine for vegetarians, vegans should always read ingredients and ask servers prior to consumption!

-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com

Welcome

2009-05-26T20:14:00.005-04:00

Welcome to the Vegan Detective Blog!

This is the companion blog to the Vegan Detective website www.vegandetective.com. The goal of The Vegan Detective is to enable vegans and vegetarians to find food ingredients suitable to their lifestyles.

The Vegan Detective blog will contain articles and postings related to food ingredients with links to our companion site.

-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com