Foods you sometimes wish WEREN'T vegan

Don't get me wrong. I am vegan for 100% ethical reasons, but I think we can all agree that veganism does have an addtional perk in that when dieting, it's a little easier to resist some of those sinful treats because they aren't animal-friendly! However, most of us have found that there are just as many dangerous options that involve no animal exploitation whatsoever, and (sometimes) overindulge in those instead. So, here's a list I've created that I sometimes wish were NOT vegan, simply because my ethical willpower is stronger than my dieting willpower:

peanut butter. healthy, but very calorie dense and easy to go overboard with.

oreos. how can something with a "creamy" center be vegan?

almonds. see "peanut butter"

wheat thins

larabars. again, same as pb.

BREAD

cereal

Can you guys tell I love carbs? What are some things you sometimes wish WEREN'T vegan?

This is SO true, I am 10 times more likely to eat sweets if they're vegan, because I have convinced myself that they are in some way "good for you". They are good for the environment though, that is a true statement! Also, many vegan product makers seem to have an emphasis on health, using unbleached flours and non-processed sugars... they're better than the regular stuff most of the time anyway.

Recently I've been consciously working my treat cravings into my normal course of eating for the day, rather than adding it on in a splurge, so I don't feel bad. I treat myself for eating so health the rest of the time! Seems only fair. I know what you mean though, vegan treats are JUST as easy to indulge in :)

My list: (I'll just call them favorites rather than things I wish weren't vegan, since I'd be quite sad if there were suddenly MORE things in the world that I couldn't eat... there are so many already! Haha.)

• Mint Newman O's. Good gracious.
  
• Luna and Lara Bars.
• All sugary breakfast cereals! They are almost ALL VEGAN! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!?
• Dark chocolate
• Smoothies
• Nut butters
• And of course, I have tracked down all of my favorite baked goods SOMEWHERE around town, or else learned to make them myself. Muffinscookiesstrudelscakespies... oh dear. 

Things I used to crave too often, that veganism has cured:

• FROZEN YOGURT!

I definitely wish oreos weren't vegan. i often find myself craving them..but usually fight off the craving.  Larabars..though amazing...are evil. TOFUTTI "ice cream"  Hot tamales candies..sooo yummy..add mike and ikes to that too. Guacamole!! man I could go on and on.

I think it depends on where you set your boundaries in the case of ethics or morality. I've been vegan for a significant time now and I don't buy stuff produced from factories that can warrant safety hazards for both humans and animals (and plant life) alike.

So, you know, if you're really into your vegan kick for ethics more than health, try looking into where the stuff you purchase is made, may it be your local Kraft's Oreo factory or whichever brand of pb you purchase (still kinda wary of the salmonella news, so I'd stick to other nut butters like almond butter— Barney Butter is fab, but kind of addictive), so you can stave off the bad stuff at the very least.

I hate that I took culinary classes, though. I've been taught how to make the best oatmeal cookies and rice krispy treats ever (vegan variants, of course) and I keep whipping up a new batch every time I'm jonesing for some sweets. Uuuugh, not cool for the stomach or brain. The sugar rushes are always more intense when you're so used to eating "clean".

You're reminding me of what used to be my daily breakfast: honey granola on rice yogurt. Got to be the most evil things ever, for the health-conscious vegan. That stuff's addictive, man.

Original Post by nicolepund1:

 Larabars..though amazing...are evil.

 They're not evil in any sense. No food is "evil", it's just weak willpower.

I have a Lara Bar every day.

Original Post by zebulancherry:

Original Post by nicolepund1:

 Larabars..though amazing...are evil.

 They're not evil in any sense. No food is "evil", it's just weak willpower.

I have a Lara Bar every day.

 my will power is getting better everyday!! but sometimes..a hot chocolate coconut larabar..or apple pie one is just too good to have one.

Soy cheese.  I have no self-restraint whatsoever when it comes to cheese, even the vegan kind.  Sheese?  Tofutti's fake individually wrapped "american cheese" slices?  I would devour those by the package if I let myself buy them.  Yum yum yum.

The same goes for halvah.  Delicious, but so hard to put down!.  I kind of wish that wasn't vegan.  The same goes for soy ice cream.

I also kind of wish there weren't so many fabulous vegan cupcake recipes.  :/

Original Post by folkharpist:

Things I used to crave too often, that veganism has cured:

• FROZEN YOGURT!

Thank you conscience, for stopping the constant frozen yogurt chatter within my head.

 

FROZEN YOGURT!!!
oh man i had such a hard time giving that up when i was going vegan!
i still have those days where i wish i could eat it, but i guess soy-icecream will have to do haha 

And here I thought I was the only person in the whole world who couldn't stop eating Lara and Luna bars. I used to have a Luna bar every day for breakfast.  Luna bars are so much worse than lara bars because they are so processed and full of sugar. Lara bars aren't evil! They are good, raw, vegan food. Just you know... super fattening... and also full of sugar... but it's not added sugar! 

For me... well... in Chicago there is a place called "Chicago Diner". It's all vegan friendly diner foods! You can see why this would be bad. Even though I'm so thankful for this little vegan paradise; it still allows me to gorge on big portions of food that probably aren't that great for me. Not to mention their vegan cakes, cheesecakes, and and milk shakes! Thank goodness this place is so far away from my place... and also so expensive. Not having a job sure makes it easier to not eat all those bad foods. 

Also things I wish weren't vegan: Chocolate, cookies, diet soda, brownies... anything sugary and fattening.

Original Post by mewkiwi:

Original Post by folkharpist:

Things I used to crave too often, that veganism has cured:

 

• FROZEN YOGURT!

Thank you conscience, for stopping the constant frozen yogurt chatter within my head.

 

FROZEN YOGURT!!!
oh man i had such a hard time giving that up when i was going vegan!
i still have those days where i wish i could eat it, but i guess soy-icecream will have to do haha 

I miss frozen yogurt :( the only place I could get some vegan soft serve was in Portland, Oregon at a place called "Blossoming Lotus"... it was the bomb.

Ugh, don't say halvah!  I can't get vegan halvah in the city I live in now (it has egg in it).  When I was in Vancouver and pregnant, I ate a halvah bar almost every day.  Now I also try to avoid processed foods for the reasons tintinity said but I definitely contribute my first major weight gain after becoming vegan to Oreo-like cookies, samosas, and Earth Balance. 

*raising hand*

Though I haven't totally made the vegetarian plunge (baby steps), I am also another Lara Bar addict!  LOVE 'EM!  :)

Any soy product, really, tastes absolutely incredible to me, but tofu in particular. My roommate jokes about how odd I am that I actually like to eat tofu by itself, or mixed in a very basic manner with some tomatoes and olives. I really have to watch my soy intake because of how much I like the stuff...

I didn't Even LOOK at all the post to see if someone else her thought about it, but ...UNCLE EDDIE'S COOKIES!!!! OMG! (Part of the reason I am overweight-Hello???)

Yes, Lara bars are secretly evil...I sometimes get indigestion from them if I have been eating really good (raw and home-cooked/home-un-cooked) and then have one.

And Vegenaise....Holy S***!!!! I eat that on plain crackers...and by the tablespoon!

When I was a kid I used to fall prey to Taco Bell burritos without cheese and Oreos and stuff, but that hasn't happened since I was like 20 or 21...but there are alot of traps out there for vegans and vegetarians trying to eat healthy...All of these "organic" "all-natutral" packaged foods.... you have to be very aware of what you're deciding to purchase.

Original Post by laceypierson:

Original Post by mewkiwi:

Original Post by folkharpist:

Things I used to crave too often, that veganism has cured:

 

• FROZEN YOGURT!

Thank you conscience, for stopping the constant frozen yogurt chatter within my head.

 

FROZEN YOGURT!!!
oh man i had such a hard time giving that up when i was going vegan!
i still have those days where i wish i could eat it, but i guess soy-icecream will have to do haha 

I miss frozen yogurt :( the only place I could get some vegan soft serve was in Portland, Oregon at a place called "Blossoming Lotus"... it was the bomb.

i love the Blossoming Lotus! [i live near portland] i agree, they have the best vegan soft serve :]

I don't know if this helps anyone, but technically refined sugar is not vegan as it is filtered through bone char made from bones left over from the meat industry.

Also, sugar cane production is one of the most destructive industries for our environment. Try using agave, maple syrup, date sugar, even turbinado and sucanat instead of refined sugar if you are vegan!~

yes.. listen to edamame!!!!  I try to avoid processed sugar because of the bar char issue!  :)

My grocery store sells Vegan sugar... at 4x the price.  I didn't know about the environmentally destructive issue though.  I have never seen any of the other sugars you have mentioned (except the syrups).

Tings, Veggie Booty, Snapea Crisps

Dark Chocolate

Hummus, especially if its spicy!!!

diet coke "aka diet crack"

And as a side note, had no idea that oreos were vegan! lol. however, still try to avoid them as noted above, and also because I don't like to eat too much processed foods.

FRENCH FRIES! (suprised no one mentioned)

also, chips and salsa

taco bell bean burritos

dark chocolate covered expresso beans

cashews, almonds, peanut butter

nutter butters

soy delicious vegan ice cream

cocunut milk