When it comes to food, everyone has a line. Except maybe Bear Grylls, that is. I’m pretty sure that dude will eat anything. But you get what I mean. I have a friend who will only eat meat with no bones, because the bones remind her too much of what her meal once was. I know plenty of people who are not only not bothered by bones, but will eat just about any part, or organ, of the animal that can be eaten, and quite enjoy it. Then there’s me.
When I got it into my head that I wanted to be a vegetarian, I didn’t really think about where I would draw the line. It seemed pretty cut and dry. Either you eat meat, or you don’t. Then, as Kona reminded me, people will sneak animals into your food where you least expect it. For her, it’s marshmallows, and for me, it’s gummies. Gummy bears, gummy worms, Swedish Fish (A friend you can eat!), cola bottles, Sour Patch Kids, I love them all.
Yeah, I get that I should probably give them up anyway, because besides the fact that they are made from hooves and snouts, there’s absolutely no nutritional value to redeem them. Still, they’re chewy and delicious and don’t remind me the least bit of death.
The other seemingly innocuous “food” that has been working its way into my conscience lately is refined sugar. This, obviously goes hand in hand with the gummies, being probably the first on the list of maybe five ingredients, closely followed by the previously mentioned hooves and snouts, and a variety of chemicals re-named “natural and artificial colors and flavors.”
The problem with sugar is that some of it is filtered through yet more cow bones in order to make it white. Yeah, I said some of it. Whether or not the cow bone filtered sugar and the otherwise filtered sugar are kept separately, mixed all together, or what, I have no idea. After all, I’m getting my information from Wikipedia and a book written by an almost-vegan.
Look, gummies I’m pretty sure I can give up (in time … maybe … don’t be so pushy!) but sugar? And this doesn’t just include white sugar, but also most brown sugar, which is just white sugar mixed with molasses. I just don’t know.
I’ve already reduced the sugar I put in my coffee down to almost nothing, and don’t tend to add it to much of anything else. But when birthdays, holidays and bake sales come around, you can probably bet on me making something that has white sugar in it. And again, I just don’t have that same guilt I would looking at a chicken leg or a pork chop.
So tell me, vegetarians, where do you draw the line?
Clacked by Cate Cropp
on Jun 11, 2009 @ 12:52 EST5EDT
Sugar may be more evil than hooves and snout — ditch the gummies! Too pushy? Try some dried figs or apricots (no sulfur dioxide). They are sweet and mimic the texture a bit.
For sugar, how about agave syrup or sucanat? They’re both vegan safe and much, much better for you. Sucanat is great for baking, and I use agave for lemomade, etc.
Ha! I know you are right and I do plan on ditching them. I love dried apricots, but other dried fruits are hard to find without sugar added. Agave syrup and sucanat have me intrigued, but Portugal hasn’t yet gotten to the point where there’s a wide variety of “healthy alternatives” available. I’m going to ask my parents to look around for them since they’re coming for a visit next month.
Hi Cousin! May I weigh in a little? I’ve been using my vegetarian cookbook for years (much to my husbands dissapointment). I am so happy that the word flexitarian is flying around now cause that is definetly me. I can’t do anything hardcore and I love variety and choices. Anyway living in Olympia, WA is a healthy eaters dream. I’ve been able to sample more “alternatives” here than anywhere I have ever lived. My favorite natural sweeteners are Agave nectar and stevia extract in powder or liquid form. Not the ground stevia leaf, that’s no good unless you like powdery green bubbles in your beverage. If you are watching your weight stevia is better because it is calorie free. I’ve also used brown rice syrup which is good for cooking but otherwise has an unpleasant aftertaste. Xylitol is supposed to be good for your teeth and I like it in my gum but it too has a “flavor” or aftertaste to me. Sucanat is the only thing I haven’t tried. Good luck finding something you like!