VegColorado - For Our Health

Making the transition to a vegetarian lifestyle is the hard part—cooking cruelty free is simple and rewarding.

Virtually every animal product used in cooking can be easily replaced with a healthier vegetarian product. Natural food stores and most supermarkets offer healthy and delicious options.

Soy- and vegetable-based butter alternatives can be used in any way that conventional butter is used. These options are natural, cholesterol free and... cruelty free!

Soy- and vegetable-based meat alternatives made from tofu, tempeh, wheat-gluten (seitan) and textured vegetable protein (TVP) can be substituted for animal products at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Tofu and tempeh are both soybean products and can be purchased in a variety of styles and flavors. Try them—your meat-eating friends won’t know the difference!

Egg Replacer, derived from potato starch, is available in most natural foods stores. It is a healthy, cholesterol-free choice for replacing eggs and egg whites in baking.

There are several other egg subsitutes. A half a banana, for instance, can be used in place of an egg in pancakes and pastries.

Soy, rice, oat and nut milks come in a wide range of flavors, textures and sweetness. There’s a nondairy alternative to suit every cooking and eating need, from cereal to curry to dessert. There’s even soy creamer and heavy cream substitute.

Soy cheeses are flavorful and cheese-like in texture. Many are available in traditional grocery stores. Use them in nearly any recipe. Be sure to read the ingredients because some products contain casein, a milk protein.

Ice cream—soy- and rice-based—comes in a range of forms and flavors rivaling that of its dairy counterpart. Dairy lovers will have a difficult time knowing these indulgent desserts are cruelty-free.

Soy yogurt is made from cultured soy and often contains whole organic fruit. Soy—a complete protein containing all essential amino acids—is an excellent source of isoflavones, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.