What Cereals Are Vegan?
Veganism is a way of life that excludes the exploitation of animals in any way and for any purpose, and if you compare it with the vegetarian way of life, you would see that the veganism is much more restrictive, and it is.
These include the use of animals for human consumption (meat, milk, eggs, etc.), but also for clothing (leather, fur, feathers, wool), laboratory testing, or entertainment (zoos, circuses, etc.).
In this sense, and we are talking this freely, maybe the idea of veganism is more complete if the reasons are ethical (that should be the basis, of course, even if we cannot say that other reasons are “wrong” or inadequate”).
In other words, veganism promotes the use of non-animal alternatives and advocates for the right to life and freedom of all conscious beings (we must add one more thing here, and this is the controversy for example regarding eating Seafood, in a sense are those beings who have conscious or not.
If you are a vegan, you still have to make some food choices, and you have breakfast that is still for you, as for some others, the most important meal of the day. The majority of people take some kind of cereals for breakfast because it is the easiest way to take a “nutritious” meal that tastes great, and allows you to add some of the best toppings for a vegan diet (or any other), fruits.
Now, from a hundred of boxes that you see in your local supermarket, how can you choose those that are vegan? Be careful, and always take a good look at the ingredient box. Some things are very obvious, but the problem is with those that are hidden and seemingly small.
A definite vegan yes, yes
Whole grains are an essential part of healthy eating habits and an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Now, when you look for vegan cereals, you should opt for those cereals that are made of high-quality products, without any additions, so our advice is to opt for the simplest versions (not the ones that say sugar-free, that have some unhealthy artificial sugar).
A vegan diet must be rich in refined, and we can all agree that processed cereals cannot be called healthy, so at least try to look for those that are made out of whole grains with the smallest amount of additions to them.
It is the best way you can buy something that is vegan and healthy.
One thing is very important to know – some firmer cereals like the ones that are made out of brown (some like to call it integral rice), spelled are easier to digest and have a nutty taste. They are maybe the best choice, especially for those vegans who have a problem with their stomach.
So, the first step is to choose some cereal that has the main ingredient, one of these.
The other group belongs to the cereals that are softer (just like quinoa, buckwheat), and they are more convenient to put in boiling water, as it will cook more evenly and will be less sticky.
Finding products that are vegan
Many would agree that looking and buying for some 100 percent vegan products is a hard task, but we assure that it can be easy. You need to be a bit informed and to open your eyes when you are purchasing, if you do not opt for making your own bowl of cereal from scratch, which is also a great idea for those who feel like it.
Since breakfast is the first meal of the day, many people, including vegans, opt for the bowl of cereals, and in this sense, they need to be extra careful, what to buy. The problem is not the obvious products, but the problem is the hidden part, some small parts that are connected to the animal source, or even worst, connected to animal cruelty.
The problem with this aspect is this – you cannot check it, and the best way is to buy a product from the company that has a renowned name, and that has come forward in stating what it uses in its production.
As we have said, they could have some simple ingredients on top of the we have mentioned before, like rice, spelled, barley, quinoa, and buckwheat.
On the market, there are so many to choose- some cereals are labeled as vegan, other not, but this does not mean that you cannot eat them. It just means that they maybe have some ingredient that is not vegan, but it does not have to be the case.
Health
Now, at the moment when you have already chosen the perfect vegan cereal, we must speak of the health benefits of using it daily.
Do you consume many of them, and do you opt for those that are vegan, but not as healthy as you think?
Do you add something on your cereals – what kind of fruit you love to add?
Think of all these answers.
If you choose the right kind – with no sugar, or a small amount, with no preservatives, and from the simplest ingredients, like brown rice, salt, etc., and if you do not eat it in absurd quantity, then it can be a really good sign.
Not only is it delicious, but it also has many nutrients that everyday foods cannot provide if you eat it in some other shape or form. It would be a shame to dismiss them because they are not part of traditional cuisine you have been used to on a daily basis.
Now, things get even better if you are able to choose wisely the toppings you put on your bowl of cereals – there are many types of nuts and seeds. Almonds, hazelnuts, and nuts like cashew and Australian nuts are also great options.
Some vegans like to put various types of seeds in their cereals to make them more nutritious. They like to put sunflowers, pumpkins, and peeled sesame seeds in their daily diet as they are rich in essential minerals. Flax and chia seeds have a beneficial effect on digestion and are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. You can soak or grind them and add in oatmeal, soup, salad, or dessert.
Regardless of your preference, and your cooking habits, one thing must always be on your mind – choose not only vegan but healthy if you are not sure in store-bought cereals to be sure that you can find and make your own version. Truth be told, it cannot stand in the box for a long time, but you can make it fresh every time you are having breakfast.
Here is the list of the cereals that are vegan for sure:
This part is dedicated to those vegans who have access to large stores and can buy these articles, but if you look in the ingredients, we are sure that you can buy some that have the same composition.
In any case, try and make some changes in your diet; it is a very good sign. You can also find some unusual ones that you find too exotic to fit into your eating habits – try to be free-spirited and patient and you will see how wonderful new foods can be.
Now, the list of the cereals that after some research is declared vegan – with one additional that regards sugar (as this is something that we have discusses many times, the problem of its products that can be problematic, bone char). It is up to you to see if this makes an issue for you.
Quaker Cinnamon Life
Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries
Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch
Kellogg’s Mini-Wheats Unfrosted Bite Size
Barbara’s Organic Corn Flakes
Kashi Organic Strawberry Fields
Barbara’s Peanut Butter Puffins
365 Everyday Value Organic Morning O’s
Barbara’s Original Puffins
Kashi 7 Whole Grain Puffs
Nature’s Path Crunchy Maple Sunrise
Quaker Puffed Wheat
Quaker Original Life
Cap’n Crunch
Cascadian Farm Organic Cinnamon Crunch
General Mills Fiber One Original
Cascadian Farm Organic Graham Crunch
Cascadian Farm Organic Fruitful O’s
Nature’s Path Rice Puffs
Kashi Organic Island Vanilla
Nature’s Path Lightly Frosted Amazon Flakes
As you can see, so many brands these days opt for healthy, organic, and vegan cereals and who would deny that they taste great!
Summary
Integral rice, millet, quinoa, and oatmeal are the most commonly used in cooking in one vegan household, they are amazing to combine and easy to make, with incredible nutritious power. In the same case, you can choose the cereal that is based on these ingredients (often they are combined).
Although it is usually easiest for us to reach for the ready-made variant, to which we will only add the beverage of our choice (some vegan milk, of course), if you want to get only the good from your cereal breakfast, without any side effects, it is the healthiest to treat your family with the homemade variant.
Once again, we emphasize if you can make your own; of course, buying cereals is the easiest option. It lasts long, and it is rich in many stabilizers, preservatives, sometimes colors. Especially if you are in the habit of pouring it over hot/warm liquids on them, the detrimental effect of these supplements is even greater.
In addition, in order to have a tempting taste that should make a portion of healthy food and nice to eat, ready-made cereals are generally rich in a serious amount of sugar, which at first glance turns a healthy meal into a calorie bomb, which loses its primary purpose.
Truth to be told, on the market, do offers some healthier options, and you can find cereals made (or as an addition) of amaranth, barley, wild rice, and buckwheat.
In the end, use whatever you feel comfortable, and why not try to make your own variant, or to find in the market the one kind that suits your taste and vegan diet.
In any other case, make your own, for sure you have stored somewhere in the back -different types of wholegrain cereals and gluten-free pasta are also great foods to prepare fast meals on weekdays and should be left in the pantry.