Cereal is a popular breakfast food enjoyed by people around the world. It is a quick and easy way to start the day with a nutritious meal. Knowing which cereals are vegan-friendly is essential for those following a plant-based diet. This article provides a comprehensive guide to which cereals are vegan so that everyone can enjoy a delicious vegan breakfast.
Key Takeaways
A vegan diet excludes all animal products, such as dairy, eggs, honey, and gelatin.
Popular cereal brands such as Cheerios, Special K, Raisin Bran, and Frosted Flakes are vegan-friendly.
Specialized vegan cereals include Nature's Path, One Degree Organic Foods, Kashi, and Cascadian Farm.
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What Is a Vegan Diet?
A vegan diet is a type of diet that excludes all animal products, including dairy, eggs, and honey. This diet focuses on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and legumes. To follow a vegan diet, one must also avoid any food or products derived from animals, such as leather, wool, and gelatin.
Related: What Candies Are Vegan? Your Guide To Vegan-Friendly Candies
Why Certain Ingredients Are Not Vegan?
Certain ingredients commonly found in cereals are not vegan because they contain animal-derived ingredients such as milk, butter, honey, and eggs. These ingredients are derived from animal sources and are therefore not considered vegan.
In addition, some cereals contain gelatin, an animal-based ingredient derived from collagen found in the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals. These animal-derived ingredients are not suitable for a vegan diet.
Related: What Cereals Are Gluten Free? From Oatmeal to Cornflakes
Alternatives to Vegan-Friendly Ingredients
Vegan-friendly alternatives to animal-based ingredients can be found in various plant-based sources. Plant-based milk, such as almond, oat, coconut, and soy, can be used as dairy milk substitutes in any recipe. Maple syrup can be replaced with agave syrup, coconut nectar, or date syrup.
Other vegan-friendly ingredients include plant-based oils, such as olive, avocado, sunflower, and grapeseed, and nut-based butter, such as almond, cashew, and peanut. With some creativity and experimentation, vegan-friendly recipes can be created with ease.
List of Popular Cereal Brands and Their Ingredients
Below are popular cereals brands and their ingredients;
Cheerios
Cheerios is a popular oat-based cereal made by General Mills. It is made with whole grain oats, sugar, corn starch, salt, and canola oil. It also contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. The cereal is free of artificial colors and preservatives, making it a healthy option for breakfast.
Honey Nut Cheerios
Honey Nut Cheerios is a variation of the original Cheerios cereal. It comprises whole grain oats, sugar, corn starch, honey, canola oil, brown sugar syrup, salt, vitamins and minerals. It contains more sugar than the original Cheerios, making it sweeter and more appealing to those who enjoy sweet cereals.
Frosted Flakes
Frosted Flakes is a corn-based cereal made by Kellogg's. It is made with whole grain corn, sugar, malt flavor, salt, and vitamins and minerals. It is also made with artificial colors and preservatives, making it less healthy than the other cereals listed here. However, it is still a popular option for sweet cereal.
Special K
Special K is a cereal made by Kellogg's. It is made with rice, wheat, sugar, salt, vitamins, and minerals. It is lower in sugar than many other cereal bowls and is free of artificial colors and preservatives, making it a healthier option. It is most often marketed as a healthy breakfast option.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a famous breakfast cereal brand known for its delicious cinnamon-flavored squares. The cereal is made from wheat flour, sugar, and rice flour and is also infused with tasty cinnamon and sugar to give it its signature taste.
Apple Jacks
Apple Jacks is a popular cereal brand that has been a favorite among children and adults since its debut in 1965. It is a crispy oat cereal made with whole grain oats and corn and has the sweet and tangy flavor of apples and cinnamon.
Raisin Bran
Raisin Bran is one of the most popular cereal brands in the world. It combines bran flakes and raisins, blended with wheat, oats, and barley, and enriched with vitamins and minerals.
Cap'n Crunch
Cap'n Crunch is a famous cereal brand known for its crunchy texture and sweet taste. It comprises corn, oat flour, sugar, and other ingredients such as coconut, molasses, and honey.
Ingredients That Are Not Vegan-Friendly
Let’s look at ingredients that are not vegan-friendly below;
Eggs- Eggs come from chickens and are considered non-vegan-friendly because they are animal products.
Dairy- Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are derived from animals and are not vegan-friendly.
Honey- is a product of bees and is not vegan-friendly.
Gelatin- Gelatin is a product of animal collagen and, therefore, is not vegan-friendly.
Vegan-Friendly Cereals Based on Their Ingredients
Below are vegan-friendly cereals based on their ingredients;
Kashi GoLean Original
This cereal is vegan-friendly, as it does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. The ingredients list includes whole-grain oats, wheat, and barley, as well as rice, soy, and buckwheat.
Cascadian Farm Organic Cinnamon Crunch
This vegan-friendly cereal, Cascadian Farm Organic Cinnamon Crunch, has a delicious blend of organic wheat flour, organic cane sugar, organic expeller-pressed canola oil, cinnamon, and salt.
Nature's Path Organic Sunrise Crunchy Vanilla
This cereal is made with organic whole wheat, barley, oats, and rice, making it a vegan-friendly cereal choice.
Related: Which Girl Scout Cookies Are Vegan? A Detailed Review
List of Specialty Vegan Cereal Brands
Below is an overview of specialty vegan cereal brands;
- Nature's Path
- One Degree Organic Foods
- Kashi
- Barbara's Bakery
- Cascadian Farm
- Enjoy Life
- Peanut Butter & Co.
- Purely Elizabeth
- Nature's Cereal
- Bob's Red Mill
Unique Characteristics and Flavors of Each Brand
Let's look at the unique characteristics and flavors that define each brand;
Nature's Path: This brand offers a variety of organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO cereals in flavors such as Apple Cinnamon, Hemp Plus, and Coconut Chia.
One Degree Organic Foods: This brand is committed to transparency and offers non-GMO, organic cereals in flavors like Sweetened Oat & Honey, Sprouted Rolled Oats, and Vanilla O's.
Kashi: This brand offers various vegan cereals flavors like Cinnamon Harvest, Organic Promise Ancient Grains, and Golean Crunch.
Barbara's Bakery: This brand offers gluten-free and vegan cereals in flavors such as Cinnamon Puffins, Brown Rice Crisps, and Organic Peanut Butter Puffins.
Cascadian Farm: The brand offers organic cereals in flavors such as Honey Nut O's, Fruitful O's, and Cinnamon Crunch.
Enjoy Life: This brand offers gluten-free and vegan cereals in flavors like Cinnamon Crunch, Honey Nut Crunch, and Vanilla Blondie Crunch.
Peanut Butter & Co: This brand offers organic, non-GMO, and vegan cereals in flavors like Peanut Butter & Jelly Crunch, Coconut Choco Chunk, and Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Crunch.
Purely Elizabeth: This brand offers organic, gluten-free cereals in flavors such as Ancient Grain Granola, Coconut Cashew Granola, and Cranberry Pecan Granola.
Nature's Cereal: This brand offers gluten-free and vegan cereals in flavors such as Coconut & Chia, Apple & Cinnamon, and Banana & Almond.
Bob's Red Mill: This brand offers a variety of organic, gluten-free, and vegan cereals in flavors such as Flax & Fiber, Fruit & Nut, and Vanilla Almond.
Where to Purchase Specialty Vegan Cereals
Specialty vegan cereals can be purchased from most health food stores or online from retailers such as Amazon, Thrive Market, and iHerb. Many vegan grains are also available in grocery stores as more and more brands are catering to vegan diets.
Vegan Cereal Ideas for Breakfast
Vegan cereals are a delicious and nutritious way to start the day, offering a variety of flavors and textures to suit any palate. Let’s examine the best vegan cereal ideas for breakfast.
- Overnight oats with berries and almond milk
- Apple-cinnamon quinoa porridge
- Coconut-almond granola
- Banana-pecan buckwheat pancakes
- Chia pudding with fresh fruit
- Date and walnut overnight oats
- Spiced millet and quinoa breakfast bowl
- Tofu scramble with veggie sausage
- Avocado toast with vegan cheese and sprouts
- Chocolate-almond chia pudding
Alternative Non-Vegan Cereal Options
Below are non-vegan cereal options;
- Oatmeal
- Granola
- Homemade cereal recipes
- Hemp flaxseed granola
- Buckwheat granola
- Brown rice cereal
- Quinoa flakes
- Millet flakes
- Amaranth flakes
- Coconut flakes
- Almond flakes
- Chia seed granola
- Fruit and nut muesli
- Spelled flakes
- Flaxseed muesli
- Apple and cinnamon porridge
- Quinoa porridge
What Cereals Are Vegan? FAQs
What’s the Best Cereal for Vegans?
One of the best vegan cereals is Nature's Path Organic Frosted Maple Pecan Whole O's. It is vegan, organic, gluten-free, and made with whole grains, making it an excellent choice for vegans.
Are Cheerios Vegan?
Yes, Cheerios are vegan. They are made from whole-grain oats, sugar, salt, vitamins, and minerals and do not contain animal products.
What Cereals Are Not Vegan?
Some cereals are not vegan as they contain animal-derived ingredients such as milk, honey, eggs, and gelatin. For example, cereals like Corn Flakes, Lucky Charms, and Honey Smacks are not vegan as they contain honey, milk, and eggs in their ingredients.
Is Rice Krispies Cereal Vegan?
No, Rice Krispies cereal is not vegan as it contains ingredients such as dairy and honey that are not considered vegan-friendly. For a vegan-friendly option, look for products labeled as vegan or containing plant-based ingredients.
Conclusion
Vegan cereals are widely available and can be found in many popular brands. Use this guide to identify which cereals are vegan-friendly and make informed choices about what to purchase and consume.
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