What Cannot You Eat on a Vegan Diet? A Comprehensive Guide

November 14, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2020 Gallup poll, nearly a quarter of Americans reported cutting back on meat, highlighting a major shift towards plant-based diets. For those fully committing to a plant-based lifestyle, knowing what cannot you eat on a vegan diet is essential for success, going far beyond just avoiding meat and dairy.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines the clear and hidden animal-derived foods and ingredients excluded from a vegan diet, covering meat, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin, and more to aid informed dietary choices.

Key Points

No Animal Flesh: A vegan diet excludes all types of meat, poultry, and fish.
Dairy is Out: All dairy products, including milk, cheese, and butter, are prohibited.
Eggs and Honey are Not Vegan: Products from bees and chickens are not consumed.
Watch for Hidden Additives: Ingredients like gelatin, casein, and carmine are often disguised in processed foods.
Scrutinize Processed Goods: Many common items such as some baked goods, candies, and sauces contain unexpected animal-derived components.
Read Labels Carefully: Be vigilant when shopping to spot hidden ingredients like whey, lactose, and L-cysteine.
Eat Mindfully at Restaurants: Always inquire about ingredients, as items like pesto or french fries can contain non-vegan elements.

Obvious Animal Products Excluded from a Vegan Diet

For many, the first step in transitioning to a vegan diet is removing the most apparent animal-derived foods. However, the strict definition of veganism extends to all products of animal origin, distinguishing it from vegetarianism.

Meats, Poultry, and Fish

All animal flesh is off the table for vegans, which includes both land animals and seafood. This is a clear-cut rule that forms the foundation of the dietary restrictions.

Examples include:

Beef, pork, lamb, and other red meats
Chicken, duck, and turkey
Fish, shellfish, and all other aquatic animals

Dairy Products

Dairy comes from the milk of animals, and because its production involves animal exploitation, it is excluded. This category can be surprisingly pervasive in processed foods.

Common dairy exclusions:

Milk (cow's, goat's, sheep's milk)
Cheese, yogurt, and butter
Cream, sour cream, and ice cream

Eggs and Honey

Eggs from chickens or other birds, and honey produced by bees, are also products of animal origin and are therefore not vegan. Fortunately, many vegan alternatives exist for both.

Vegan alternatives:

For baking: applesauce, bananas, or flax eggs
For sweetener: maple syrup, agave nectar, or molasses

Unmasking Hidden and Surprising Non-Vegan Ingredients

Navigating the world of packaged and restaurant food requires diligence, as many items contain animal-derived components that are not immediately obvious. Reading ingredient labels is a critical skill for any vegan.

Common Hidden Ingredients

Gelatin: A gelling agent made from animal collagen found in marshmallows, gummy candies, fruit snacks, and gelled desserts.
Casein, Whey, and Lactose: These are all milk proteins or milk sugar that can appear in seemingly dairy-free items like some coffee creamers, protein powders, and packaged snacks.
Carmine (E120) and Cochineal: A red food dye derived from crushed cochineal insects, used to color red beverages, candies, and other processed foods.
L-Cysteine: An amino acid often used as a dough conditioner in breads, bagels, and baked goods, which can be derived from poultry feathers.
Isinglass: A substance made from fish bladders and used to clarify certain beers and wines.
Shellac: A resin secreted by the female lac insect, used as a confectionery glaze on candies and to wax produce.
Refined Sugar: Some refined white sugar is processed using bone char, which is charcoal from animal bones. Vegans should opt for organic sugar or other unrefined sweeteners.

Restaurant and Fast Food Pitfalls

Eating out can be a challenge due to hidden ingredients and shared cooking surfaces.

Watch out for:

French Fries: Some fast-food restaurants fry their fries in animal fat or use beef flavoring, like McDonald's in the US.
Pesto Sauce: Many traditional pesto recipes contain parmesan cheese.
Worcestershire Sauce: Traditionally contains anchovies.
Baked Beans: Canned refried beans often contain lard.
Indian Cuisine: Many dishes use ghee (clarified butter) or cream.

Comparison Table: Common Food Swap-Outs

Becoming vegan means learning to replace animal products with plant-based alternatives. This table illustrates some key swap-outs.


Non-Vegan Item	Animal-Derived Ingredient	Vegan Alternative	Where Found
Gummy Bears	Gelatin	Pectin-based gummies	Vegan specialty shops
Marshmallows	Gelatin	Vegan marshmallows (e.g., Dandies)	Most major supermarkets
Cow's Milk	Dairy	Soy, almond, oat, or coconut milk	Ubiquitous
Regular Butter	Dairy	Plant-based margarine or vegan butter spreads	Ubiquitous
Refined White Sugar	Bone Char (for processing)	Organic cane sugar, agave, maple syrup	Health food stores, online
Mayonnaise	Eggs	Aquafaba-based mayo, soy mayo	Most major supermarkets
Worcestershire Sauce	Anchovies	Vegan Worcestershire sauce	Health food stores, online

Conclusion: Navigating a Vegan Diet with Confidence

While the list of items to avoid on a vegan diet may seem long, most are easily replaced with plant-based alternatives. The core principle is the exclusion of all animal products and byproducts, which requires careful label reading and a mindful approach to eating. By understanding the obvious exclusions and recognizing the hidden ingredients in processed foods, individuals can confidently navigate a vegan lifestyle. The shift encourages a focus on whole, plant-based foods, leading to new culinary discoveries and a more conscious approach to consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all breads are vegan. Some breads, especially enriched breads like brioche, contain eggs or dairy (such as milk or butter). You should also check for dough conditioners like L-cysteine, which can be animal-derived.

It depends. Milk chocolate is not vegan as it contains dairy. Dark chocolate is often vegan but can sometimes contain milk solids or other dairy ingredients, so it is important to read the label carefully.

Vegans do not eat honey because it is a product of bees and, therefore, an animal byproduct. The ethical stance is that bees produce honey for their own consumption and survival, not for human use.

No. Some beers and wines use animal-derived fining agents like isinglass (from fish bladders), gelatin, or casein to clarify the final product. Many brands now use vegan alternatives, and many are naturally vegan. It's best to check with the manufacturer or use a resource like Barnivore.

Not all sugar, but some refined white sugar is processed using bone char (charcoal from animal bones). To be sure, opt for certified organic sugar, unrefined sweeteners, or check with the brand to confirm their process.

Gelatin is a gelling agent made from the boiled skin, bones, and tendons of animals, typically cows and pigs. It is commonly found in gummy candies, marshmallows, fruit snacks, and some vitamin capsules.

Yes, many chips contain unexpected animal ingredients. Flavorings can contain milk powder, casein, or whey. Some brands may also use gelatin to help spices stick, so it is important to read the ingredient list.