Ask A Vegan: Am I Going Prawn Crackers?

Going vegan made me realise just how inept I was in the kitchen. I started to read every label, realising I didn’t know what was in, well, pretty much anything. Animal collagen and/or gelatin is used in my beloved marshmallows? *Sob*. Cheese and onion crisps aren’t vegan… but bacon ones… are?! It all made zero sense.

I was a little relieved to learn I wasn’t the only one who was having a bit of a mare when it came to finding non-plant-based ingredients in some of my favourite foods…

Q: AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO DIDN’T REALISE PRAWN CRACKERS CONTAIN ACTUAL PRAWNS...?

A: Absolutely not. 

If I had a pound for every time I was half-way through something only to realise prawn actually meant prawn or to spot some cheeky dairy on the ingredients list out of the corner of my eye I would be at least as well off as a 13 year old. I’ve definitely eaten prawn crackers before, thinking that tasty flavour was from some clever, weird and wonderful spice blend. I’ve even eaten prawn toast before, convinced it was vegan until I found a very not-vegan chunk of prawn in there. That was an eye-opener.

These mishaps happen all the time, and I don’t beat myself up about them anymore. Not even about the time I was elbow deep in some prawn cocktail flavoured Pringles, offering them around in the allplants kitchen before someone pointed out the added milk powder. (Seems there’s a prawny theme here). Luckily there are Pringles flavours that are vegan. (I probably should have read that article more thoroughly). 

As with many things, it’s 90% experience, 10% trial and error. Here are some of my personal tips for minimising mishaps, and funny (but awkward) moments with my vegan friends.

The best ways to find out if foods are actually vegan:

• Read the label. Ok, let’s start with the obvious. Though those new to plant-based life will get that even this isn’t always easy. There’s so much jargon around that it feels like you need a nutritional degree to understand most foodie labels now. Sneaky ingredients like casein, carmine, and isinglass are a big part of the production of everything from sweets to cider. So it’s a good idea to get clued up on some of the main buzzwords to avoid, using handy guides like this list of non-vegan ingredients to look out for. We’ve also put together a guide of vegan takeaway tips to hopefully minimise panic and problems, too.
• Look for the logo. The easiest way to know if a product is vegan is to look for a label that says ‘Suitable For Vegans’ or the ‘Certified Vegan’ logo. Another simple way is to scan the 'Allergen Information'. If the product contains dairy, eggs, or seafood, it would be stated under its allergen ingredients list. This is a GREAT guide for understanding the different vegan and cruelty-free logos, too, particularly handy if you’re interested in updating your bathroom cupboard contents as well as your kitchen cupboards.
• Get social. Instagram has been a real lifeline for me as a vegan, as it’s where I first met most of my plant-based friends, and where I’ve learnt loads about plant-based life (including what is and what isn’t vegan-friendly). Accounts like Accidentally Vegan, Vegan Food UK and Veganuary are great for inspiration, news and launches, and you’re bound to meet lovely, like-minded plant-lovers in the comments, too.
• Share your opinions. And if you’re really not sure about a product’s ingredients, or if you’ve noticed the ingredients list has recently changed, you can always ask the brand. You can reach out to them on their social pages, or email them directly. Barnivore (a game-changing vegan-friendly alcohol directory) has even put together a template for when you’re reaching out.

Join our table, where we serve up 100% plant-based delights so you can rest assured they’re completely vegan (as well as being crazy tasty). Any other tips to add? Let us know in the comments!