What’s involved?
What’s Involved?
Becoming vegetarian means choosing not to eat other animals (including fish). It also means being welcomed into a whole new world of political, social, ethical and culinary action.
What can you eat?
Well that depends on what type of vegetarian you would like to be… Some vegetarians, in addition to not eating meat, also choose not to eat products derived from animals such as eggs, dairy products and honey.
For info on what’s involved in a healthy (and tasty) vegetarian diet have a look here
What can you wear?
It is also worthwhile to avoid the use of wool, silk, down feathers, leather and fur. Wide ranges of synthetic and natural alternatives are available such as acrylics, polyester, cotton etc
Read the Label: In Australia companies are not required to indicate whether their product is suitable for vegetarians, hence it’s necessary to read ingredients labels to be aware of the following:
Gelatin(e) (a jelly substance obtained by boiling the bones, hoofs, tissue and other waste parts of animals) used in jellied deserts and salads, chewy lollies such as marshmallows and liquorice, ice-cream, camera film and glue
Rennet (curdled milk from the stomaches of unweaned calves) used to make cheese
Tallow (animal fat) used in hot chips, soap, and candles
Bread often contains emulsifiers 481, 472 and 471 which may contain animal fats
Casein (a milk protein not suitable for vegans)
Flavour enhancer 627, and disodium guanylate, may be derived from dried fish. Disodium guanylate is often found in instant noodles, potato chips and snacks, savoury rice, tinned vegetables and instant soup.
Glycerin and Glycerol (animal oils and fats) are used in soaps and lotions.
Gum base in chewing gum can also refer to glycerin or glycerol.
Isinglass (gelatin made from fish bladders) is used in beer and wine production.
It is possible Natural flavours found in some brands of baked beans, soups, chips and other foods are derived from animal sources. [Check with the manufacturer by calling the tollfree helpline on the product]
You'll find that after a few supermarket shops you will have developed a list of safe products so you won't have to check the ingredients every time you shop :D Some Safe Products Coopers Beer (Suitable for Vegans), Nimbin Cheese (contains non-animal rennet)
Why should people do this?
I want to do this!
This work is licenced under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike licence.
© 2008. First published on actnow.com.au
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