What’s the deal with vegan junk food? Is it healthy? Let’s investigate

We all know that eating fruits and vegetables is healthy for our body. But sometimes, we want to enjoy a bag of potato chips in front of the TV or treat ourselves to ice cream, pizza or hot dogs. And, as long as we’re eating a balanced diet most of the time, we say there’s absolutely nothing wrong with indulging in a little junk food. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our top vegan junk food picks, from pizza to Oreos to candy.

But first, what exactly is junk food? How should we feel about eating it? And is vegan junk food better for you than animal-based alternatives?

What is junk food? And is it bad?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, junk food can be defined in two ways. The first is “foods that are high in calories but low in nutrients.” And the second is “something that is interesting or enjoyable but has little or no value.”

Some people might refer to junk food—which includes things like French fries, ice cream, and candy—as “junk food,” but now, many registered dietitians reject categorizing foods that way.

Stephanie Sassos MS, RDN, CSO, CDN, said good housekeeping In 2021, while some foods contain ingredients that are “not nutritious for the body” (such as trans fats), one of the healthiest ways to go on a diet is to eat without strict rules.

“Listen to your body; if you’re craving a meal and want to enjoy it, know that it’s okay to eat your favorite foods in moderation without guilt or judgment,” she says. “Every single meal can be the perfect, most nutritious meal of your life.” Won’t.”

Is vegan junk food healthier than animal-based junk food?

The truth is, just because something is vegan doesn’t mean it’s healthy. There are plenty of nutritious vegetarian foods out there (learn more about them by following our guide to a whole-food, plant-based diet), but french fries and nuggets aren’t usually among them.

But that’s okay because we don’t usually eat these foods thinking they’re full of vitamins and minerals. That said, it’s worth remembering that they still provide us with some nutrients, such as carbohydrates and protein, for example.

But some research suggests that in the case of animal-free meat and dairy foods, these products are likely good For our health than animal-based alternatives.

In 2022, Chris Bryant, PhD, University of Bath, conducted a review of 43 studies on the health and environmental effects of plant-based diets. He found that all these alternatives are not only better for the planet than animal products, but they are also better for human health. After all, processed meats, like bacon, are classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization.

Again, this is not to say that all animal-free food products are healthy, but simply that it can be an improvement over the animal version. But it’s worth repeating, regardless of nutritional value, that as long as you’re eating well overall, junk food is perfectly fine in moderation, many experts say.

“Some foods have great health benefits, others have no health benefits and can be bad for you if eaten in excess. But it does mean that you just have to avoid overusing the mistake,” Sherin Lehman, MS, writes very good health. “As long as your overall eating patterns are healthy there is room for all kinds of foods in your daily diet.”

The best vegan junk food to buy right now

Heading to the grocery store and want to pick up some treats? Here are some of our favorite vegan junk food products. Some are completely vegan brands, and others are accidentally vegan, but all are totally delicious. Happy snacking!

Daiya

1 Dyer Cheese Lover Pizza

Pizza is one of the world’s most beloved foods, but it doesn’t have to be loaded with dairy cheese to be delicious. This Daiya pizza (which is also gluten-free) is satisfyingly delicious, but it’s topped with two types of vegan cheese: mozzarella and cheddar. Prefer your pizza meaty? The brand also offers vegetarian pies topped with plant-based pepperoni and sausage crumbles.
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imitation

2 Dino Nags

Turkey dinosaurs are arguably most kids’ favorite Friday night meal. But you can give them the same experience, just without the meat part, by stocking the fridge with these plant-based dino nuggets from Simulate. Plus, there’s no rule that says adults can’t enjoy them too!
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Doritos

3 Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili

Doritos are one of the best snacks to share with friends and family on movie or game night. While not all flavors are vegan, there are a few animal-free options to choose from, including these Spicy Sweet Chili-flavored chips.
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Oreo

4 Oreos

Yes, the rumor is true: Oreos happen to be vegan. They may be branded as “Dairy Favorite Cookies” but there is no actual dairy in the recipe. And they taste just as delicious when paired with a tall glass of oat milk.
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VGAN

5 VGAN White Chocolate

Is there anything better than sitting down with a bar of chocolate in the evening and streaming your favorite show? This white chocolate bar from VGAN is the perfect accompaniment to your next Netflix binge. Not only is it dairy-free, it’s also gluten-free and certified organic. Plus, it has delicious crunchy bits of almonds and salted caramel.
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moving mountains

6 Moving Mountain Hot Dogs

When grilling season begins, it’s time to break out the hot dogs. But you don’t have to go for an animal-based alternative, because these vegan sunflower seed-based hot dogs from Moving Mountains look, cook, and taste like the real deal.
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Skittles

7 Skittles

If you’re wondering if Skittles are actually vegan, we’re thrilled to tell you the answer is a big yes! Most varieties of this popular colorful candy contain no animal ingredients.
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Magnums

8 Non-Dairy Magnum

Since 2019, much-loved ice cream brand Magnum has launched non-dairy versions of its iconic frozen treats in the US. Just like the original, they are covered in delicious Belgian chocolate, while the ice cream center is made with a combination of coconut oil and pea protein.
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of Arabic

9 Arabic cooked curly fries

OK, so fast-food chain Arby’s isn’t exactly known for being the most vegetarian-friendly destination (its tagline literally reads “We’ve got all the meat”). But its delicious seasoned curry fries, which can be frozen at the grocery store, are completely animal-free.
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Pop-Tarts

10 Unfrosted Pop-Tarts

Most are Pop-Tarts no Vegan, and that’s because they’re frosted with icing that contains gelatin (and that doesn’t mean they’re vegan either). But there are a few options that come without frosting, including strawberry, blueberry, and brown sugar cinnamon.
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