How do you ensure you are selecting the best, healthiest wine when at the liquor store? Wine drinks are searching for a healthier wine that has the benefits of antioxidants along with the relaxing effects of a nice buzz, minus the residual effects of too much sugar, additives, tannins, or even extra calories.

Here, we have all the answers to your burning questions about wine. Below, we uncover what makes wines vegan (or more importantly, what can make some wines not vegan), plus what makes them organic, natural and biodynamic. Read on for our criteria on what constitutes “healthy wine” and how to ensure you’re buying a bottle that meets your standards.

Is All Wine Vegan?

Vegan wine: You might be surprised to learn that some wine is not technically vegan. Animal by-products are often used as processing aids, called fining agents. Fining agents are added to wines typically to bind and remove unwanted substances. Common animal-derived fining agents include:

• Egg whites
• Casein
• Bone fragments
• Microorganisms including earthworm exoskeletons
• Isinglass (fish bladder)

“The reason that a lot of companies use fining agents is because there is market pressure to get a product into the stores, and they’re trying to rush a natural process,” says Helen Johannesen (of Helen’s Wine Shop based in LA) on her podcast, WINE FACE.

“All of this stabilizing and fining would happen naturally if people would allow time for it to happen.” She continues to explain, if you’re buying wine at a standard grocery store, there is a good chance that an animal-source fining agent was used. Buying from a local wine shop means that you may have a better chance of getting a great wine, and being able to learn about the production process. Ask if it’s vegan.

Is Wine Healthy?

As for the healthy-or-unhealthy metric, vegan wine is not strictly one or the other. You can have a conventional vegan wine that’s filled with a bunch of additives that many would consider unhealthy. But if you personally consider not using animal byproducts in any aspect of the winemaking process as “healthy,” then choosing a vegan wine may be a good option for you.

Tip: How do you know if wine is vegan? Seeking a vegan wine often requires doing your own research. Don’t trust that even a sommelier at a high-end restaurant will know if their wines are vegan or not. There are some great resources to help: Barnivore keeps a searchable database of vegan wines.

Also, BevVeg is a vegan wine certification site that some winemakers have adopted. You can check out a list of BevVeg-certified brands here. PETA has published an excellent list of favorite, best-tasting vegan wines, specifying brands to look out for.

What Is Organic Wine?

There are two defining characteristics of organic wine: No pesticides used in growing or processing the grape, and no sulfates added to the wine. The USDA gives the organic wine designation, and they have strict guidelines for producers. In addition to farming, synthetic pesticides and herbicides are not allowed in order to pass USDA’s organic certification qualifications.

Any kind of pesticide that has been determined to be harmful to the environment or to people is not allowed. Note, just because a wine is organic, does not mean it’s vegan. Sometimes animal-based fining agents are still used in organic wines.

What Is Natural Wine?

Natural wine represents wine made with minimal intervention, both in the vineyards and in the cellar, often called “low intervention” wines. While there is no official designation for a natural wine (like there is for organic wine), generally, the criteria for natural wine are as follows:

• Organic grapes (or biodynamically grown grapes).
• Hand-picked / harvest (no technology in the field).
• Low-yielding vineyards.
• No added sugars, cultivated (cultured) yeasts, or foreign bacteria.

“Many traditional winegrowers around the world are reviving traditional agriculture with modern techniques and know-how,” says Drew Cuddy, managing partner at Satellite, a natural wine shop, and restaurant in Santa Barbara.

“It takes more physical labor and an interest in truly working in harmony with nature, but the benefits are that the wine is simply better and winegrowers’ families don’t need to fear the effects of using Roundup and other incredibly destructive chemicals at their homes.”

Read More: What Is Natural Wine and Is It Better for You?

Tip: Since the natural wine movement originated in France in the 1960’s, many natural wine bars and shops have been popping up around the country. Next time you’re going out for a glass, do a quick search for “natural wine bars.”

What Is Biodynamic Wine?

Biodynamics, as defined by the Biodynamic Association, is a “holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming,” created by Dr. Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s. Biodynamic farming incorporates holistic practices of the past include using aspects of astrology and focusing on the farm as a complete ecosystem.

They also ensure a “clean” winemaking process so there are no pesticides or fertilizers used. A core premise is gaining a wider connection to the world and the universe. They believe that there are hidden elements that connect a vineyard with the farmers who care for and cultivate it.

What Makes a Wine Healthy?

While everyone’s definition of a healthy wine might vary, below are some of the key criteria that you might use to constitute a beneficial beverage.

• Rich in antioxidants: Dry red wines, since they maintain their grape skins during fermentation, pack a more powerful antioxidant punch. Antioxidants found in red wines are called polyphenols, which have been shown to protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart. Studies have shown that drinking red wine (in moderation) has been linked to lower risks of cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
• Low in sugar: Less residual sugar often means fewer calories, so if you are calorie counting, or just seeking less sugar in your diet, then stay away from the sweeter wines like Moscato. Typically a dry white or a dry red will tend to be lower in calorie count (110-130 per 5-ounce pour).

• No pesticides: Since organic wines are void of pesticide residue, and so are natural wines, some may say they are in fact healthier. Because of the organic farming principles used, they are also healthier for the environment. Also, organic wines don’t have added sulfites and preservatives that can trigger negative side-effects for people like asthma-like symptoms and headaches.
• Alcohol content: It’s possible to enjoy a few more sips of your favorite wine without as much buzz if you choose a wine with a lower alcohol content per ounce. While the difference between 10 percent for most whites to up to 15 percent for some reds sounds negligible, this translates to a higher blood alcohol level the more you drink.

How to Find a Healthy Wine

Since wine labeling does not disclose everything you might want to know, it can be tough to find a wine that meets your personal needs. Cuddy notes to be wary of buying wine from a grocery store. “Do not do it!” says Cuddy. “The wines there are almost all guaranteed to be mass-produced, heavily manipulated, have near the maximum allowable SO2 [sulfite] content, and will have many of the stabilizers, coloring agents, clarifiers, and a litany of other non-wine ingredients they are allowed to add but not label.”

When possible, seek out wine from your local wine shop. The sellers who choose to work at local wine stores tend to be extremely knowledgeable about wine, and many up-and-coming shops are natural-wine-focused, so you’ll certainly find some great, natural, and organic wines from low-yield producers. They will also likely be able to tell you whether a wine is vegan or not — if that’s a box on your wine criteria checklist.

When choosing a wine, look for ones with no sugar added, made with organically grown grapes ( which should be free of glyphosate, the ingredient in Roundup), and minimal added sulfites to extend shelf-life, like those from vegan-friendly Duck Pond Cellars. They were not only extremely tasty but left us with no headaches or scratchy throats the next day, a win.

For more expert advice, visit The Beet’s Health & Nutrition articles. 

The post The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Healthy Vegan Wine appeared first on The Beet.

Finding the right cheese, especially one you are sharing with friends and family, can be tricky; and let’s be honest, some miss the mark. So, we hunted down some of the best artisanal vegan cheeses that you’ll feel confident serving to vegans and non-vegans alike at your next shindig.

The great thing about all of these non-dairy cheeses is their ingredient list–void of any fillers, additives, soy or gluten–so these are about as ‘clean’ as you can get. They also make for a great gift and are all available for purchase online, so you can easily send them directly to that chef, vegan, or veg-curious person in your life.

Wendy’s Nutty Cheeses

For more than 25 years, Wendy of Wendy’s Vegan Kitchen has made vegan offerings using all organic and non-GMO ingredients, choosing cashew and soy for the base of the Wendy’s Nutty Cheeses vegan dairy products. With delightful flavors like Garden of Eden and Fig and Fennel, these gorgeous and tasty treats will be the perfect embellishment for any vegan charcuterie board, or a showstopping centerpiece to a Springtime picnic.

Wendy also offers private classes in the Hudson Valley and Tri-State area for those who would like to learn how to make delicious vegan fare from a professional.

Wendy’s Nutty Cheeses are available on the brand’s website or on Vegan Essentials.

Treeline Cheese

Treeline’s soft ‘cheese’ spreads will steal the show on your next cheese board. While not exactly reminiscent of a cheese wheel since they are more like a creamy spread, their flavor is spot on and one of the favored items in our taste test. Treeline’s made from fermented cashew nuts, and as a bonus, they also contain a healthy probiotic, known as L. Acidophilus.

The Scallion Soft French-Style is a clear winner. With a creamy consistency and smooth texture, it is quite honestly perfect. The spreads come in little containers that you can flip upside down on a tray for a nice display. All Treeline cheeses and spreads are natural, without any added preservatives, stabilizers, gums, or thickeners. Plus, they are pretty easy to find in-store with nationwide distribution.

Available nationwide at Kroger and select Whole Foods.

Reine

Reine makes small-batch artisanal cashew-based ‘cheese’ rounds out of Ventura, California. This is a ‘cheese’ you will be 100 percent confident to put on a display; and trust, vegan or not, your guests will go back for seconds. Reine has perfected its fermentation process and consistency while using high-quality, organic ingredients free of soy, GMO, dairy, and gluten.

They have eight flavors to choose from, but at the top of the list is the Fauxgonzola, which was the top pick from all the ‘cheese’ rounds in our test. It’s made with organic blue-green spirulina (which research suggests has antioxidant and inflammation-fighting properties) and its blue striations make a beautiful display. Some other recommended flavors are the Trufflehound, and the Chipotle Cheddar.

Available online and select retail locations in Southern California.

Vromage

Since 2009 Vromage Founder Youssef Fahouri has been perfecting his cheese recipes—which are secret by the way. Made from a variety of nuts and seeds, the cheeses were so good he opened the first dairy-free cheese shop in LA in 2014. Of all the brands, Vromage might be the one that is most reminiscent of a dairy-based cheese.

There are many eclectic flavors, all coming in different shapes and sizes. While you can’t really go wrong with any of them, the Pepperjack and Mozzarella are both impressive. You also might recall the name, Vromage, since Prince Harry and Meghan Markel had the cheeses served at the royal wedding.

Available online and at Vromage cheese shop in West Hollywood, Calif.

Did we miss any great vegan, artisan cheese brands? Let us know in the comments below!

The post The Best Vegan Artisan Cheeses for Your Holiday Cheese Board appeared first on The Beet.

Before you head for the red wine (which you know to be healthy because of the polyphenols in the pigment), here are the best boozy beverages that are healthier for you than others. Take this guide to the liquor store and know you’re buying the healthiest, vegan adult beverages this holiday season and beyond.

The Healthiest Kinds of Alcohol

Hard Kombucha

Hard kombucha is a fermented tea drink that is packed with probiotics. It often includes other good-for-you ingredients like adaptogens, while keeping sugar and carbs in check. Hard kombucha is growing in popularity and increasingly making beer and hard seltzer seem like antiquated drinks of the past. You can typically find a selection of hard kombucha at your local grocery store (usually found in or near the beer section).

Many companies sell directly on their website as well. California is quickly becoming the birthplace of the best hard kombucha around. Here are some of our vegan-friendly recommendations to stock up on:

Flying Embers is known for its adaptogenic blends and wide array of flavors. The brand also manages to deliver a zero-sugar, zero carbs, low-calorie drink, void of any added flavoring or artificial sugars. Not only do they taste good, but they also do good, by donating a portion of their proceeds to firefighters and first responders. Bootchcraft is a San Diego-based company that is perhaps the OG of hard kombucha. These people know how to brew some seriously good — and seriously strong — ‘bucha.

With a 7 percent ACV per can, you can get a buzz pretty quickly, so pace yourself. Bootchcraft recently released a number of seasonal flavors, like Spiced Pear, perfect for coupling with your festive holiday meal. You’ll feel good about supporting this eco-conscious brand that embodies what it means to be a good environmental steward because it contributes to the Regenerative Organic Alliance for each bottle sold.

For a lighter alcohol option, reach for NOVA Easy Kombucha, another San Diego-born company with expert brewmasters at its helm that’s been quietly whipping up a seriously-great tasting brew that is easy drinking at its finest. NOVA’s straightforward and familiar flavors are sure to please any palate.

Clean Wine

If you’re confused when it comes to buying a clean, healthy wine, you’re not alone. Because winemakers are not required to display ingredients and nutritional info on their labels, it’s hard to make an informed decision. Some wines have tons of additives, artificial flavors, dyes, sulfites, added sugars, and even animal products — like egg whites often used to achieve a certain color, or fish blatter used to filter the wine — none of which they have to list.

The point is, it’s hard to find a wine you can trust. The good news is, there are plenty of transparent and clean-wine brands popping up that promise transparency so you can know you aren’t putting junk in your body. What does clean wine mean? While there is no official or regulated definition of clean wine, we define it with the following criteria:

• Low sulfites: Typically a “low sulfite” wine has less than 100 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur dioxide, whereas regular wine can have up to 350 ppm.
• Organic grapes: Grown with organic farming principles, and pesticide-free, so no nasty chemicals.
• Vegan: No animal products or by-products are used in the winemaking process or added to the wine.
• No synthetic additives.

Not that a “clean wine” is not to be confused with “natural wine,” which typically has no, or very little, sulfites, 10-35 ppm, and follows some other criteria. Below are a few wine brands that meet the above clean-wine criteria and are certainly worthy of your holiday festivities. They’ll likely even earn a place on your wine rack all year round:

Avaline, founded by Cameron Diaz and her partner Katherine Power last year with a promise of a transparent clean wine void of additives and made with organic grapes and low sulfites. Diaz has certainly delivered on her promise. Avaline is also one of the few wines that actually lists nutritional information directly on the label. With white wine and rosé in their initial lineup, the latest addition is a red wine, which is a Grenache and Syrah blend, at an affordable $24 price point.

Made in Rhône, France, it’s light to medium-bodied, with bright red fruit and delicate aromas that will pair perfectly with your veggie-forward holiday meal. For a psychedelic ‘70s-vibe throwback, an organic wine company, Wonderful Wine Co., is also one to consider. While they make red and whites, you’ll most certainly want to try the orange wine.

It’s a perfect way to kick off your meal and have a fun conversation starter for the table since orange wine may be an out-of-this-world concept to your guests: Orange wine is technically a white wine but gets its orange color from grape skins left on during fermentation.

Vodka

Vodka is often considered the overall healthiest choice since it is low in calories, carbs, and sugar. Vodka is said to help increase blood flow and circulation which can aid in preventing clots, strokes, and other heart diseases. Dating back many centuries, vodka was used for its medicinal properties, rather than for enjoyment. (Of course, drinking vodka — or any alcohol for that matter — should always be done so in moderation.)

Vodka is one of the world’s most popular spirits and is perfect for mixing up a cocktail, serving in a martini, or sipping straight up. Vodka can be made from a variety of plant ingredients, from corn to wheat, to olives … and even grapes. Here are a few quality, storied vodkas to consider having on hand and getting creative with this season:

Made in California, Hangar 1 is unique in that its made from grapes and grain to produce a smooth and subtly floral-tasting vodka. It’s a taste of the luxurious California coast wrapped up in a bottle, well worth the $41 splurge. For a do-gooder brand, try Hera the Dog, a triple-distilled vodka — which matters because distillation removes impurities and yields a cleaner flavor. Hera donates a percentage of each bottle sold to animal rescue causes. You can follow Hera’s journey on Instagram for a healthy balance of helping save animals and delectable cocktail recipes.

Finally, for an elegant vodka designed with a martini in mind, try Kate Hudson’s King St. Vodka, made in Santa Barbara and inspired by her time living in NYC’s Greenwich Village, on King St. Non-GMO and crafted with alkaline water, plus distilled 7 times for purity, the vodka goes down smooth with floral notes. The taste is complemented by its beautiful bottle, sure to be the belle of the ball on your at-home bar.

Tequila

Leave it to the friends south of the border to come up with the perfect drink for a sandy palm-lined beach that is both healthy, smooth, and “diet-friendly” since it contains Avagins, a kind of natural sugar that is considered “non-digestible” because it acts like fiber in the body and won’t spike blood sugar levels when you drink it. Of course all the sugary mixes you add with your frozen margarita might, however, so don’t kid yourself that the frozen sweet marg is as healthy as a straight Dos Amigos sipped chilled.

But the sugar in tequila is also known to lower cholesterol and because it acts like fiber, it could even help you lose weight (crazy, we know). So enjoy tequila but make it a good one because the healthiest way is to sip it straight.

For more recommendations, check out The Beet’s Product Reviews. 

The post The 4 Healthiest Alcohol Choices to Drink This Holiday Season appeared first on The Beet.

While everyone’s dietary needs vary, there is a universal consensus that a great-tasting, nutritionally balanced bar is a must for modern living. While eating whole foods, fruits, and unprocessed snacks are typically best, sometimes if you are on the go or doing high-intensity workouts a protein bar is justifiable to refuel.

Nutrition Bar Breakdown

As a general tip, if you are going vegan or plant-based, make sure to avoid whey; it’s a milk derivative commonly found in nutrition bars. Bar makers add whey to pack in protein, often in unnecessary quantities. The same is true of casein, which is also a dairy compound. When reading labels, remember, we only need 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight. So, for someone 140 pounds, that’s about 50 grams of protein a day. So unless you’re training for an Ironman or some other feat that requires hours in the gym, you don’t need a bar with 20 or 30 grams of protein!

The 7 Best Vegan Protein Bars

Most of these bars are high in carbs, but the key to look on the label for is the carb to fiber ratio. If it’s four and under that is considered a good deal for your daily intake. To do this quick calculation, consider a bar with 20 grams of carbs that has 8 grams of fiber is 2.5 to 1, which keeps it in the “healthy” zone.

Bottom Line: When seeking a bar as a snack, look for one that’s under 200 calories, low in sugar and high in fiber and is created on a base of plant protein (such as pea) to help keep you feeling full. The below bars are some of the best vegan-friendly options around. They all contain a solid nutritional profile with a delectable dessert-inspired taste.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

Overall Winner:

1. ONE PLANT Chocolate Peanut Butter

ONE Brands makes these incredible plant-based protein bars called ONE PLANT packing 12 grams of protein their signature “ONE” gram of sugar. Coming in Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Nut Bread, this sweet-treat bar is a perfect snack on the go, in the office, or pre and post-workout. The protein blend is made up of pea, rice, and almond, and they are also gluten-free. You can find PLANT bars on ONE’s website and Amazon, as well as select GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and Walmart stores.

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2. R.E.D.D Peanut Butter Plant-Based Protein Bar

These chewy and filling energy bars contain 10 grams of vegan protein, specifically pea, hemp and pumpkin, and each bar delivers 8 grams of fiber. They taste like a fudgy cookie, and as delicious as they are, you would be surprised to discover that they are also full of prebiotics. In fact, each bar has 1 billion CFU probiotics, healthy compounds normally found in fermented foods. If you have a sweet tooth, try the peanut butter flavor, which has small bits of crunchy oats and hints of chocolate. If chocolate is your thing, try the chocolate bar which will satisfy your sweet tooth but be healthier than your average afternoon cookie indulgence. These are the perfect snack or treat for your kids since they get all nutritional value and still enjoy the cookie taste without all the sugar.

3. NUGO Slim Toasted Coconut

This chocolatey piece of heaven packs great flavor and a nutritional punch with 7 grams of fiber and 16 grams of protein (derived from soy and rice). This bar also provides 15 percent of your daily iron needs. There are a number of great flavors to choose from in the NUGO Slim line up, but our favorite is the Toasted Coconut. The companies products are all vegan as a bonus—20 different bar flavors in all—and can typically be found at grocery stores nationwide.

4. Luna Bar White Chocolate Macadamia Nut

Who needs dessert when you can have a Luna Bar? Luna makes a number of sweet-treat-inspired flavors from Chocolate Cupcake to S’mores and Lemon Zest. Most of the bars come in at about 200 calories and tend to be a little higher in carbs. (So if you are a keto person, this might be not the one for you). Their bars tend to be quite sweet, so if you are not in the mood for that, opt for something else. But if you do have a sweet tooth, it will thank you.

5. Good! Snacks Choc. Mint Protein Bar

These chocolate mint bars have it all: Great taste, protein to spare and a cookie-like flavor that makes chocolate mint chip lovers never miss their usual treats like those iconic mint chocolate Girl Scout Cookies. These bars taste like candy, as promised, but are also relatively nutritious. For those avoiding soy and gluten, this is the bar for you. The Vegan protein is the perfect snack for when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to pile on the pounds!

6. IQ Bar Almond Butter Chip

The IQ Bar leads with its six “brain nutrients” infused in the bar including Lion’s Mane, MCTs, omega-3s, flavonoids, vitamin E (45 percent of your daily recommended intake in this bar) and choline. Also, with 0 grams of sugar (sweetened with stevia), and 10-11 grams of plant protein per bar, you can enjoy great taste with great nutrients. The taste is smooth and creamy, a little doughy. They are also keto-friendly (if you are into that).

7. Raw Rev Glo Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt

Raw Rev Glo’s bars are reminiscent of raw cookie dough. They are filling and low in sugar (most bars have 2-5 grams) and high in protein and fiber. With a number of flavors to choose from, you can’t go wrong.

The post The 7 Best Vegan Protein Nutrition Bars That Taste Like Dessert appeared first on The Beet.

If you prefer a more plant-forward patty, try these below that all pass our taste and health test. They also all come in under 150 calories. A number of these veggie patties also tend to be lower in calories, fat and sodium than their faux meat counterparts.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

Overall Winner:

1. Hilary’s Black Bean Veggie Burger

Hillary’s has eight plant-based veggie burgers to choose from. All eight burgers are made from healthy and clean ingredients. Besides being plant-based, these veggie burgers are all gluten-free and soy-free too. One of our favorites is the Black Bean Veggie Burger which is made of black rice, adzuki beans, sweet potato, and spinach. This burger has only 160 calories with 4g of protein, and 3g of fiber. These burgers are best cooked in the oven.

2. Wholesome Pantry Sweet and Spicy Pepper Veggie Burger 

This veggie burger hits on the perfect combination of sweet and savory, and because it’s loaded with good-for-you ingredients like brown rice, veggies, oats, and spices it keeps you full. My favorite way to prepare this burger is in the air frier or pan-frying it to give it a nice, crispy meat-like char. While it won’t fool anyone into thinking its meat, the blend of veggies is so flavorful that even a meat-eater would love it.

3. Trader Joe’s Masala Burger

If you are into a little Indian spice, this is the patty for you. It’s flavored with just the right amount of spice and taste almost more like a masala-flavored potato dish than a veggie patty. This makes it also very versatile and can function for more than a burger patty; stick it in a pita with some vegan mayo and greens, dice up and throw on a salad … or just eat it straight up! It’s a unique tasting patty that is not trying to be meat-like or anything else; it is what it is. With the higher fat content (which has 8 grams in one serving, mostly derived from canola oil) it tends to be a little on the greaser side, but for only 120 total calories, it’s certainly worthwhile.

4. Dr. Praeger’s Heirloom Bean

This bean patty amalgamates with veggies to make a delicious plant-based burger. It’s so good, you can eat as a snack on its own, or of course, in a bun. These patties are also gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO.

The Heirloom beans hold up better (more firm) than some of the other Dr. Praeger’s patties, so for something with structure, opt for this one. It has only 130 calories, with 6 grams of fat and 4 grams of fiber. It tends to be lower in protein, with 2 grams per patty. You can microwave it, but an oven or air fryer is recommended to achieve ultimate consistency. Sometimes Dr. Praeger’s burgers tend to get a little mushy, so careful cooking is recommended.

5. Qrunch Quinoa Burgers

With only 140 calories, 4 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber, this quinoa-forward burger has a perfect amount of crunch on the outside and softness on the interior. You can certainly taste that it’s made from quinoa, but it’s not bitter; it has a nice balance of flavors, almost a buttered quinoa taste to it. As a bonus, it’s super easy to make: you can pop in the toaster or cook in the oven, a stovetop skillet, or on the grill.

6. Amy’s Kitchen Black Bean Veggie Burger

This is a nice, sturdy burger you can feel confident throwing on the grill. Made primarily of bulgur wheat, mushrooms, and black beans, it packs about 6 grams of protein and only 130 calories. It has a little bit of a sweet and spicy taste which gives it a nice amount of Mexican-inspired flavor and great on a bun with avocado to balance the spice.

7. Gardein Black Bean Burger

With 140 calories, 7 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein, this is a pretty well-balanced bean burger. It’s also gluten-free. It is a little high in sodium, 420 mg (about 18% of your recommended daily intake).

The post The 7 Best Store-Bought Vegan Burgers That Are Better Than Meat appeared first on The Beet.

We at The Beet love to taste test the latest non-dairy, meat alternatives, and this test was a surprisingly fun one. When the two best roasts were cooked and ready for tasting we came back for seconds and thirds. Cooking no fewer than five roasts in one crowded kitchen on a chilly Tuesday afternoon, and serving them to hungry editors who had nothing for breakfast or lunch left us more than impressed.

Having never tried a vegan roast before, we expected the worst. In prior years, we refrained from the turkey altogether at family get-togethers and celebrations, opting instead for a plate of veggies and mashed potatoes (no butter). But this year, we were happy to have taste-tested, because these holiday roasts are truly as delicious as the real deal, and there’s one brand we all loved, and plan to bring to our festivities. Even the stuffing was a winner!

We tested these five: Field Roast Celebration Roast Stuffed with Butternut Squash, Apples and Mushrooms, Field Roast Celebration Roast with Breaded Stuffing and Mushroom Gravy, Trader Joe’s Breaded Turkeyless Stuffed Roast with Gravy, Tofurkey Veggie Roast, and Gardein Holiday Roast. While the four of us taste-testers have varying preferences and rarely agree on anything, we all generally came to the same conclusions about the roasts.

Overall Winner:

1. Gardein Holiday Roast

Gardien’s breaded crispy outer coat might be the thing that makes this roast the winner. But overall we loved the “meat” of the roast as well as the stuffing which balanced well and was distinctly different from the “white meat” taste of the faux turkey.

With cranberry wild-rice stuffing that’s a perfect mix of sweet and savory, this is a focal point of the meal that you’ll be happy to put on the table and even the non-vegans at the table will want to sample this dish. You can cook it straight from being frozen (so no need to defrost overnight, unlike some of the other roasts). It has a nice tender texture and a good ratio of rice-stuffing to “meat.” We couldn’t help ourselves and found ourselves going back for seconds and thirds. In fact, we would eat it year-round, not just at traditional turkey dinner time of year.

2. Trader Joe’s Breaded Turkeyless Stuffed Roast with Gravy

The Trader Joe’s roast ranks high on the list and is a virtual tie with our winner. The core of the roast is a wild-rice stuffing that includes bits of cranberries, and it’s really good if you want an even ratio of protein to stuffing. The “meat” is a soy-based protein mixed with organic ancient-grain flour, creating a nice firm bite. The outside is coated with a crisp breading seasoned with herbs. This roast is super easy: It cooks fast and no prep or thawing is needed. If you’re grabbing something last minute, this would be a great option. On day two, when we brought left-overs to The Beet offices, the team that had not tasted it initially actually liked it the best, so keep the leftovers since it travels and ages well.

3. Field Roast Celebration Roast Stuffed with Butternut Squash, Apples & Mushrooms

Admittedly, we overcooked this small roast, it was still very flavorful, and the cross-hatching on the outer skin was very realistic to a holiday ham. While tough to cut, once you reach the meat and stuffing, it was satisfyingly flavorful.

The Field Roast Celebration Roast ranks high on the list of beloved Turkey-alternative for vegans. But note, it doesn’t necessarily mimic a meat taste; although, the crisp skin-like outer coating may fool you. In Field Roast’s words, it’s “the ultimate in vegetarian sophistication.” The exterior is made up of grain meat (a.k.a. wheat gluten) flavor with sage, garlic, and lemon juice. The interior is a sausage-style stuffing made with butternut squash, mushrooms and apples seasoned with a blend of rosemary, thyme, and sage. This one does need to defrost overnight, so plan ahead.

4. Field Roast Celebration Roast with Breaded Stuffing and Mushroom Gravy

This version of the Field Roast Celebration is just as tasty as the last, but a little less elaborate when it comes to the stuffing. So if you prefer a more traditional bread-like stuffing, this is the one for you. The exterior is like a hard crust on a wheat or rye bread, which is pleasant but not really turkey-like. The texture of the “meat” is a little spongier than actual turkey, and at the end of the day, we felt that we were eating a lot of bread on bread.

This stuffing was the one we kept digging into, however, so if you are a stuffing lover, and you like the bready consistency of traditional stuffing, you will definitely feel satisfied bringing this to your Thanksgiving table.

5. Tofurkey Veggie Roast

Probably the best known, Tofurky has been around since 1995, and is still going strong as a holiday favorite. However, we think some of its rivals have surpassed it in new technology when it comes to making meatless meat taste like the real thing. We love the Tofurkey founder’s story on How I Built This with Seth Tibbot, who lived in a tree house, leave a bit to be desired but mix with gravy and mashed potatoes, and it will go down just fine. Its base is wheat gluten, and the stuffing has a flavorful taste. Note they do say to thaw for 24 hours in advance, so plan ahead.

The post The Great Vegan Turkey Taste-Test: Which Roast Should You Bring to Dinner? appeared first on The Beet.

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1. Ranch

According to The Association for Dressings and Sauces, Ranch is the most popular in the US. It’s easy to see why. Beyond its use for salads, it’s a fan favorite for dipping everything from fries, to pizza, and it provides a nice counterbalance to some heat. Traditional Ranch is often made with buttermilk, and sometimes mayonnaise too. While there are plenty of vegan Ranches on the shelf, know that not all are created equal. But here are some you can trust will impress: Hidden Valley, Original Ranch Plant-Powered Dressing hits all the right tasting notes for a truly classic Ranch dressing. Also, for a thick and creamy dip-specific format, try Trader Joe’s Vegan Ranch Dip. Another brand to consider if you want Ranch flavoring with a twist is Plant Junkie, which has a wide selection of Ranch flavors, like the Plant Junkie, Chipotle Ranch, or Cilantro Avocado Ranch.

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2. Thousand Island

Thousand Island is typically a mayonnaise-based dressing, mixed with a mashup of seemingly random spices. The Thousand Island name comes from the chain of islands straddling northern New York and Canada; in the early 1900’s the recipe was first prepared in Thousand Islands, New York. Today, it’s popular on burgers, as a salad dressing, and more. There is a clear winner in the vegan Thousand Island dressing game, and that’s Follow Your Heart’s Thousand Island. It’s light enough at 90 calories per serving to have a guilt-free smattering to top your veggie burgers, salads, wraps, or as a dipping sauce.

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3. Caesar

Follow Your Heart’s Organic Vegan Caesar captures the perfect amount of pepper, garlic, and creaminess of a classic Caesar dressing. Another clear winner is Mother Raw’s Caesar Dressing. It has a little less of the classic creaminess you might expect of a Caesar dressing, but the flavoring is well balanced and is sure to add all the exciting personality needed to your salad. They also use cold-pressed organic olive oil as the base to pack in a dose of healthy fats. And, a side note while we’re talking Caesar salads: Croutons are critical to a Caesar salad, and the all-vegan Kelly’s Croutons are a staple you should have on hand to add to your Caesar, or really any salad.

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4. Blue Cheese

Store-bought vegan Blue Cheese is harder to come by. But Follow Your Heart does it again with its Follow Your Heart High Omega Vegan Blue Cheese dressing. Made with flaxseed and hempseed oils, it captures the Blue Cheese funk without being too overwhelming.

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5. Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

You can certainly make a homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing, but to have one from dressing experts is sometimes the way to go. And a classic rich and creamy balsamic dressing can really jazz up even the most basic salad. Most Balsamic dressings are vegan but watch for surprising ingredient add-ins as some use eggs or dairy to achieve a more rich and creamy texture and taste. There is one vegan balsamic that should be at the top of your list and that’s La Tourangelle’s Organic Classic Balsamic Vinaigrette. This family-owned operation for over 150-years knows its balsamics and oils, so it’s no surprise they pump out an impeccable vinaigrette.

Fast-food restaurants have finally got the memo that their customer base isn’t just coming through for a burger, fried chicken, or a beef taco. Many now have plant-based foods and are coming up with creative, delicious ways to get more greens on the menu. Here are the 6 best fast-food chains with plant-based options on the menu.

1. Burger King

Turns out there’s a lot more to rely on than a salad if you’re eating plant-based. Burger King has the Impossible Whopper featuring a meatless patty as well as a few secretly vegan options such as the French Toast Sticks and Hashbrowns.

2. White Castle

Known for its mini square-shaped sliders, this hamburger chain jumped on the plant-based bandwagon at some participating locations. You can find an Impossible Slider on some White Castle menus.

3. Del Taco

This was the first national Mexican fast-food chain to offer Beyond Meat at the company’s 580 restaurants across the country. Del Taco has the Beyond Avocado Taco on the menu along with the Epic Beyond Original Mex Burrito and Avocado Veggie Bowl.

4. Carl’s Jr.

Another brand synonymous with beef burgers, Carl’s Jr. offers several plant-based options for veggie and plant lover such as Beyond Famous Star Burger and Guacamole Thickburger.

5. Taco Bell

This fast-food restaurant may have been one of the first you frequented while transitioning to plant-based eating. That’s because Taco Bell has eight million vegetarian combinations and sells 350 million vegetarian items a year through menu substitutions or ordering off their vegetarian menu. In fact, they were the first quick-service restaurant to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA) certified food options.

6. Starbucks

From the time it started offering breakfast sandwiches in 2006, the coffee conglomerate became a competitor in the fast-food space. You can get your favorite hot and cold beverages made with almond, coconut or oat milk but there are also plant-based food options available such as the Baja Black Bean Veggie Wrap, bagel with vegan cream cheese and Impossible Breakfast Sandwich.

The post 5 Store-Bought Salad Dressings You Won’t Believe Are Vegan appeared first on The Beet.

As the chicken wars heat up amongst companies making better-for-the-planet meat replacements, these meatless chicken nuggets have been highly anticipated. Here, we break down everything you need to know about the Impossible Chicken Nuggets, including how they taste.

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Where to buy Impossible Chicken Nuggets

Starting today, Impossible Chicken nuggets will appear at restaurants across the country, including Fuku in New York City; Red Rooster in Harlem and Miami; Joyland in Nashville; Crossroads Kitchen in LA; and El Alto Jr., at the new State Street Market in Los Altos. You can also find at regional chains and restaurants including LA’s Fatburger, Gott’s Roadside in the Bay Area, and select Dog Haus locations nationwide.

In 2016, Chef David Chang was the first chef to launch Impossible Foods’ flagship Impossible Burger on the menu at his hotspot Momofuku, so it’s fitting that he is one of the first chefs to feature Impossible Nuggets on the Fuku menu, a spinoff concept with locations at New York’s Hudson Yards and Rockefeller Center. He’ll serve Impossible  Nuggets with a choice of two house-made sauces and optional waffle fries. “We were blown away by the Impossible Burger when it launched at Momofuku in 2016, and we feel the same way about Impossible Chicken Nuggets,” Fuku CEO Alex Munoz-Suarez announced. “Impossible Nuggies pair perfectly with the playfulness of Fuku’s menu and will satisfy the cravings of fried chicken lovers looking for an alternative bite.”

The 100 percent plant-based LA hotspot Crossroads Kitchen is serving Impossible Chicken Nuggets with potato and cauliflower croquettes, agave mustard dipping sauce and vegan mac and cheese. On its Late Night Menu which starts a Reverse Happy Hour at 9 pm, the Impossible Nuggets will be served with steak fries and three dipping sauces.

Later this month, Impossible Chicken Nuggets will be carried at Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, ShopRite, Giant Stores, Gelson’s, and other stores. Impossible Foods will also be expanding its availability to more than 10,000 supermarkets throughout the year. With a retail price of $7.99, Impossible Chicken Nuggets can be found in the freezer aisle, for a 13-ounce package of about 20 pieces that are ready to heat via microwave, air fryer, or oven.

Are Impossible Chicken Nuggets healthy?

Looking at the ingredient list, Impossible Nuggets are not much different than similar plant-based nuggets on the market. (The Beet rated 9 popular plant-based nuggets for taste and health and here is how they stacked up). Like their meatless burger patties, Impossible nuggets are soy-based, with the first five ingredients being: Water, soy protein concentrate, wheat flour, sunflower oil, and soybean oil. Impossible Chicken Nuggets are not gluten-free.

The company touts their nuggets as healthier, containing 40 percent less saturated fat (2g vs 3.5g per serving of regular chicken) and 25 percent less sodium (400mg vs 540mg per serving of real chicken). With 240 calories for a serving of five pieces, 14 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, plus 4 grams of fiber, the nuggets also contain 80 percent of your daily recommended value of B12 plus micronutrients: Iron, Thiamin, and Niacin.

Impossible Foods is more focused on creating food alternatives that promote a healthier environment by getting away from the culture of animal agriculture. The company’s mission statement says the purpose is to “make [the] global food system truly sustainable by eliminating the need to make food from animals.” Animal agriculture is one of the leading contributors of manmade greenhouse gases, and companies like Impossible Foods is offering a more sustainable option.

Based on a preliminary study that the company calls a “Life Cycle Assessment” of the product, Impossible Chicken Nuggets use 48 to 49 percent less land, 43 to 44 percent less water, and generates 36 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the animal version.

How do Impossible Chicken Nuggets taste?

Although Impossible Nuggets grocery store products won’t debut until later this month, I got an early taste to find out if they were as good as the company states.

Impossible claims that “7 out of 10 consumers preferred the Impossible Chicken Nuggets to the leading animal-based chicken nuggets; the test was conducted in Irving, Texas, among 201 meat-eating consumers, many of whom also regularly eat plant-based products,” as stated in a press release. We of course had to see how that claimed matches up with reality.

Note that Impossible Chicken Nuggets for restaurants vary slightly from their store-bought nuggets in order to best accommodate commercial deep fryers.

The verdict on grocery-bought Impossible Chicken Nuggets? Damn good. Both vegans and meat-eaters I did a tasting with liked and said they would not be able to distinguish from animal-meat nuggets — and they all went back for seconds.

Impossible Chicken Nuggets have a golden, crispy breadcrumb coating, and a white meaty texture. No unpleasant aftertaste and a great balance of breading to meat. Impossible Chicken Nuggets hold their own and contend with any of our top-ranked plant-based chicken nuggets.

“Our technology platform allows us to recreate animal products across protein categories that outperform the animal versions in every way,” says Dennis Woodside, President of Impossible Foods. “Poultry is the most consumed meat in the US, and Impossible Chicken Nuggets represent an incredible opportunity to transform the industry with a more delicious and sustainable version of a classic.”

The post I Tried Impossible’s New Nuggets. Here’s What I Thought & Where to Find Them appeared first on The Beet.

Let your family (and “pod” friends) dive in for DIY hot cocoa magic. These days, you can find vegan-friendly consumables not only at Whole Foods and the like, but also places like CVS (which is increasingly adding veg-friendly and health-conscious items and brands to its food isles). Here are some common delectables that you should consider adding to your hot chocolate-board masterpiece. Then, continue on for some visual hot cocoa “charcuterie” inspiration from some super creative gals spreading a little holiday cheer.

Cocoa powder: You don’t need the fancy processed stuff. Often you can buy good old plain cocoa powder and mix it with a little sugar and plant-based milk—viola, you have a perfect hot cocoa base.

Carob powder: Meet cocoa’s younger, hipper, more earthy sister: carob. Carob is made from dry, roasted carob-tree pods and is a great cocoa alternative. High in fiber, low in fat with a rich, pleasantly bitter, chocolatey-ish taste. You can usually find carob powder at health food stores and online.

Plant-based milk: You can mix your cocoa or carb powder into really any plant-based / vegan milk your heart desires for a rich and creamy hot cocoa drink. There is an endless selection from soy, to almond, to oat, and more.

Marshmallows: Not all marshmallows are vegan since many contain gelatin. So make sure to read the ingredients, or stick with trusted brands like Dandies, or Trader Joe’s brand marshmallows (which are vegan).

Gourmet vegan cookies: If you really want to spice up your cocoa board with something special, add some of Maya’s Cookies (all vegan, with gluten-free options as well). Cut in half or in fourths, perfect for little dipping bites. These cookies will make your board look ultra-fancy. This season Maya has holiday cookies (like gingerbread) and their standard options available as well.

Oreos: Yes, these are one of those accidental vegan items. Crush up Oreos, and add to your board. They make for a perfect hot chocolate topping…perhaps best sprinkled on top of the whipped cream. Trader Joe’s make an Oreo-like cookie (which is vegan, although not labeled as such) called Joe Joe’s which would be a great option as well.

Chocolate bars: To add some fancy chocolate bar flare to your board, you’ll have many options. There are now more non-dairy, vegan chocolates than ever. You can chop up in little bits for the board, or break into squares or chunks for snacking or dipping. With oat milk chocolate from brands like Raaka; to health-conscious low-sugar bars from The Good Chocolate; to the popular Hu Kitchen; and the ultra-fancy Lagusta’s Luscious white chocolate — your chocolate-bar game will officially be stepped up.

Whipped cream: Thankfully, more non-dairy, vegan whipped creams are gracing the grocery store shelves these days. You can find whips from brands like SoDelicious (always vegan) and Tru (which makes a vegan option), or look for mainstream non-dairy whipped cream which is typically vegan; but if not labeled, read to make sure there are no dairy derivatives.

Baileys Almande Almondmilk Liqueur: It’s been quite a year, so your cocoa deserves a little spiking with Baileys’ vegan almond milk liqueur…we know, it sounds too good to be true. (This one is adults-only of course.)

These delectable hot cocoa paraphernalia suggestions are just a start. You can continue to get creative and add candy canes, cinnamon sticks, dark chocolate chips, carob chips, and more!

Hot Cocoa “Charcuterie” Board Inspiration:

Check out this Chanukah-inspired board from @rosa_lilyrose. “Hot cocoa boards have been super popular on Pinterest this season and I was so inspired by the talented @rebekahlowin and her stunning Chanukah candy board that I had to put these two trends together!” she writes on Instagram.

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Food allergy-aware mom and lawyer @foodallergydiva is helping make it a December to remember with this spunky vegan and allergy-friendly hot cocoa and goodie board. A clean cocoa cheers to that!

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This Insta-cute Physician Assistant (PA) turned stay-at-home mom, @thepeddlingpa, puts this fun cocoa board together for her “Stay Home Saturday’s” series. “I’ll be coming up with fun ideas for family fun nights and date nights to help us get through this COVID winter!” she says in a post. That’s the spirit.

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From blogging to decorating, @gatheredliving gives us a fierce hot coca board that she calls a “perfect cozy weekend treat for all your fall or holiday festivities.”

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The post Here’s How to Make the Trending Hot Cocoa “Charcuterie” Boards Vegan appeared first on The Beet.

To get to the bottom of this vegan bacon mystery, we tracked down six of the latest and most widely available plant-based kinds of bacon on the market to see how they would stack up. Here is our take, and we would love to hear from you if you have any that you prefer! Plus, you may want to try making these bacons in the oven, for an even more crispy bacon taste.

Avoiding Processed Meat for Your Health

Bacon is America’s favorite processed meat with some estimates claiming that the average American consumer eats 18 pounds of bacon per year. But now, increasing research has shown eating processed meats such as bacon regularly can lead to several chronic health conditions including heart failure, kidney disease, and several forms of cancer, among others. Eating processed or red meat regularly can increase your heart disease and cancer risk by 18 percent and 29 percent, respectively.

To help improve your overall well-being and lower your risk of heart disease, introducing new plant-based bacon to your diet can significantly help improve your health for longer. Adding a few plant-based meals to your diet can reduce your risk of heart disease 30 years later, according to a recent study. Another study shows that switching to a more dominantly plant-based diet can actually prolong your life expectancy by 10 years or more. So next time you are cooking breakfast or making a B.L.T., check out some of these top bacon alternatives for a healthier protein.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products.

Be Leaf Vegan Bacon

BeLeaf’s vegan bacon hits all the right taste and texture notes. For that reason, it tops our list. It cooks up extremely easily and yields a consistency and is easy to work with to create any bacon dish you desire. BeLeaf captures that meaty, salty bacon-like taste.

Price: $9.99, 10 oz package

Where to buy: Besties Vegan Paradise, Lassens, and other local natural grocery stores. Also on online retailers like Vegan Essentials, GTFO It’s Vegan, and more.

Calories 44

Total Fat 1g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 3.5g

Hooray Foods Plant-Based Bacon

Hooray Foods is a plant-based bacon designed to look, cook, and taste like the real thing. The pieces stick together if they touch while cooking so make sure you use a large pan to keep separate. This bacon has a heavy coconut aftertaste so we would recommend using it on salads or as a topping.

Price: $8.49-$8.99, 5 oz package

Where To Buy: Select Whole Foods Market

Calories 60

Total Fat 4g, Saturated Fat 3g

Protein 0g

LightLife Smart Bacon

LightLife is a long-time player in the vegan food space and you can feel good about eating its Smart Bacon which is easy to find on most grocery store shelves. LightLife’s Smart Bacon has a slight soy taste which some people might not love. Use this Bacon on a plant-based patty or vegan BLT the next time you have a hankering for bacon.

Price: $5.99, 5 oz package

Where to buy: Various mainstream grocery stores, health-food retailers, and online shops.

Calories 20

Total Fat 1g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 2g

Prime Roots Superprotein Bacon

Prime Roots uses fermentation technology to mimic real bacon. Their secret weapon is an ingredient called Koji, a Japanese fungus that is actually a whole-food protein, packed with nutrients. It certainly smells and tastes like bacon. It can overcook easily, so it’s a good option if you like “crispier” bacon. This would go well in a sandwich or as crumbles on a salad.

Price: $9.99, 8 oz package

Where to buy: Online at www.primeroots.com

Calories 110

Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 6g

Protein 6g

Sweet Earth Benevolent Bacon

Sweet Earth has been a consistent plant-based brand that doesn’t ever disappoint. And their Benevolent Bacon is no exception. This bacon is teeming with flavor and a “meaty” texture. You’ll enjoy notes of hickory, sage and garlic in every bite. It cooks like the real thing is available for purchase both in frozen and refrigerated packaging.

Price: $3.99, 5.5 oz package

Where to buy: Check out Sweet Earth’s online locator tool to find a store closest to you, including select SafeWay, Whole Foods Market, Walmart, and more.

Calories 45

Total Fat 1.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 4g

SUPRIMA Bacon Crack

As if we needed reminding just how addictive bacon is, along comes a plant-based bacon product called “Bacon Crack” that is cooked and crispy and ready to eat right out of the box. Bacon Crack from Superhumn, is an all-natural, gluten-free, soy-free plant-based formula that “checks all the boxes” when you’re searching for healthier bacon. The most important box of all? When it comes to bacon, that’s taste. When it comes to the savory, smoky, slightly sweet, crispy salty fix that bacon lovers have come to count on, many plant-based versions fall short. Bacon Crack checks that box too.  At 60 calories for 2 strips, a saturated fat content of 2.5 grams, and 2 grams of protein per serving, this bacon has half the fat and 40 percent less sodium than real bacon. We see a BLT in our future.

Price: $6.99 for one 2.5 oz package.

Where to Buy: Check out Superhumn’s website to purchase this tasty bacon. Currently offers limited availability.

Calories 60

Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 2.5g

Protein 2g

Upton’s Bacon Seitan

Upton’s makes a tasty and smokey bacon that is well suited in a BLT, or crumbles on a salad. While it doesn’t quite resemble the real thing, it’s still a good substitute when you need bacon in a recipe. We suggest you cook it longer to get a crispy bacon crunch.

Price: $4.69, 5 oz package

Where to buy: Whole Foods Market and other retailers as well as online Amazon.com, ThriveMarket.com and more.

Calories 100

Total Fat 0.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 15g

The post The Best Vegan Bacon That Tastes Just Like the Real Thing appeared first on The Beet.