Gelatin: Veg or not?

I have been a vegetarian for over 1.5 years now and I have been 100% faithful.

One thing that keeps sneaking its way in when I least expect it however, is gelatin.

I am finding that it is VERY hard to avoid eating it because it is in so many foods that I do not expect it to be in. IE Yogurt, candy, pudding, etc.

So I have ask opinions here; would you consider someone who eats gelatin but no meat products, a vegetarian?

For clarification I don't mean vegan, just vegetarian.

I don't really think it's my place to decide how to label somebody else, but I'm a vegetarian, and I choose to avoid gelatin.  It's a tricky issue, because some people consider it a byproduct that would be wasted otherwise.  You'll also probably see some variation in people's opinions depending on their personal reasons for being vegetarian.  I think those who choose vegetarianism for ethical reasons often tend to avoid gelatin, while those who are vegetarian for health reasons might be less likely to care about it.

People who eat fish(but no other meats) are often considered vegetarians.  It's kind of a broad term.  Personally, I'd still call you a vegetarian.  However, what's important is whether or not you consider gelatin acceptable or not.  Gelatin is not that hard to avoid, just keep reading labels.  There are plenty of gelatin-free puddings, candies, and yogurts.  The only thing I've missed since I cut it out a few years ago is Skittles, but I've moved on(Mambas are gelatin-free!).

BTW, I just took a look at your profile.  Congradulations!  You're an inspiration.

Original Post by mm_coady:

So I have ask opinions here; would you consider someone who eats gelatin but no meat products, a vegetarian?

Yes I would

If you dodge gelatin then next you'd have to avoid wine.. because isinglass that clarifies a lot of wine is a fish product..  You'd also turn down any food coloured red or pink with cochineal because it's made from insects.  There are quite a lot of animal derivatives if you look closely... how far you're prepared to accept or reject them is entirely a personal decision within your own definition of what vegetarianism means to you.

There is tons of wine without isinglass.

To the OP, sorry, but I don't consider gelatin vegetarian.

While I don't consider gelatin vegetarian, I don't totally kill myself avoiding it, as it is just so dang hard, it's in so many things (as gi-jane indicates and elaborates upon). Whenever I have the ability, though, I go with a vegetarian option. Hain makes a nice gelatin substitute that's super tasty, and there are a lot of other seaweed-based alternatives out there. Make your dollars talk.

I have no personal opinion on gelatin, but I wanted to say I looked at your profile too and wow!  You have done an amazing job!   I'd wish you luck for the rest of your goal, but I don't think you need it.  :)

Original Post by katiey:

People who eat fish(but no other meats) are often considered vegetarians.

No way. Do you classify fish as plants?

It's kind of a broad term.

No it isn't. It has a precise definition. We don't eat animals, period.

I avoid gelatin as much as possible for that reason.

Original Post by ms_joanna:

No way. Do you classify fish as plants?

 Gelatin doesn't come from a plant, either.

i would still consider you a vegetarian.

i don't eat any meat.  and i avoid gelatin. but it is hard because it sneaks in. 

Original Post by disease_of_ease:

Original Post by ms_joanna:

No way. Do you classify fish as plants?

 Gelatin doesn't come from a plant, either.

Sarah, actually some substances that cause gelling can be made from seaweed (agar agar) and other plants, but I agree most of it will be from animal sources and is something to avoid.   

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/gelling.html

 

Hmmm, Megan from what I've seen when things like agar agar are used it is not listed as gelatin, though... I wonder if it ever is listed just generically as "gelatin"?

Probably not, you're right.  I would definitely prefer to err on the safe side and assume that if it's called gelatin it's from animal sources.

no. but you shouldn't base your choices on a label.

It shouldnt matter whether or not "you're considered a vegetarian".. it's most important how you see yourself.

If you still consider yourself a vegetarian, go ahead.

I don't consider it vegetarian.  My rule of thumb is that if a sentient being died for it, it's not vegetarian.  So pescatarians, this means you're not vegetarian. 

I don't find gelatin hard to avoid with a little diligence.  Health food stores even have non-gelatin gummies, fruit snacks, and marshmallow creme (though no solid marshmallows).

Original Post by snotbubblez:

If you still consider yourself a vegetarian, go ahead.

 I could consider myself an astronaut, doesn't mean I am one.

disease_of_ease you can be with a little imagination.

jenhere, there are solid vegan marshmallows... they rule.

i'm a vegetarian, and if something has gelatin in it; i don't eat it.

people go vegetarian because of personal choice - usually because of issues with eating or harming animals. just because something doesn't look like a big hunk of animal (marshmallows, etc) doesn't mean it's vegetarian.

if you're going to eat gelatin, you're not a vegetarian - you just don't eat straight meat.