Tia Lupita has produced chips made out of nopales cactus. They come in Chipotle, Habanero, Hot Sauce, Salsa Verde, and Sea Salt varieties. Read our review in Vegan Journal here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue4/2023_issue4_veggie_bits.php
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Mushroom Medley Toasts photo by Rissa Miller
Are you getting tired of avocado toast and looking for some other creative toasts? Raise a Toast by Jason Yowell includes recipes for Frico Caprese; Mushroom Medley Toasts with Herbed Cashew Cheeze (photo by Rissa Miller); Seitan “Brat” Crostini; Sweet Potato Toasts with Beet Purée; BLT Toasts; and Sweet Cream & Fruit Tartine.
Read the entire article here: Raise a Toast
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photo by Rissa Miller
Have you ever wondered what the cost comparison is between vegan meat-like burgers and meat-based burgers? In the most recent issue of Vegan Journal Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, with the help of Mae Y. Soon, obtained price information from Instacart that allowed us to determine the least and most expensive veggie meat and veggie burgers in seven different American cities in comparison to the cost of animal meats and burgers. Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue4/2023_issue4_vegan_burgers.php
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By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD
A reader contacted us and asked, “Since many people are cutting down on their use of added salt (eliminating added salt in some cases), how can vegans be sure they are getting enough iodine in their diet?”
This is a reasonable concern since the iodine content of plant foods is often low and their iodine content depends on factors such as the concentration of iodine in the soil where the plants were grown (1). Iodine is an essential mineral that is needed for the thyroid gland to work properly. Not getting adequate iodine can have negative effects on the thyroid gland. Iodine deficiency in infants and children can result in poor growth and development.
Prior to the 1920s, in the United States, an iodine-deficiency disease called endemic goiter was relatively common. The incidence of endemic goiter fell sharply after iodized salt was introduced in the United States. Salt iodization is not mandatory in the United States but there are requirements for the amount of iodine that is added to iodized salt. Iodized salt provides about 76 micrograms of iodine in a quarter teaspoon. About half of the US population uses iodized salt (2). If you avoid added salt, your diet may be low in iodine, much like the diet of Americans prior to 1924.
“Well,” you may be thinking, “I eat some salty processed foods. I must get iodine from that.” Actually, most processed foods as well as products from fast food establishments are not made with iodized salt. If a food manufacturer does use iodized salt, the iodized salt must be listed as an ingredient (3).
Sea vegetables can be a source of iodine although the amount is inconsistent. Sometimes, sea vegetables are very high in iodine and that can cause health issues. The bioavailability of iodine from sea vegetables is also quite variable (4).
If you are vegan and don’t use iodized salt regularly, I recommend that you use a supplement containing iodine. Many multi-vitamin/mineral supplements contain iodine and iodine is also available as a separate supplement. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iodine for adults is 150 micrograms per day. If you choose to use an iodine supplement you should look for one providing approximately this amount.
References
To read more about iodine see:
Iodine in Prenatal Supplements
The contents of this website and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal and Vegan Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.
Keifer’s Kettle Korn offers several varieties of Kettle Corn including Garlic-Maple-Pepper, Jalapeño, Maple, and Traditional. Read our review in Vegan Journal here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue4/2023_issue4_veggie_bits.php
To subscribe to Vegan Journal visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php
Thanks to a previous Journal article titled “Homemade Vegan Holiday Candy,” by Mimi Clark, you can make vegan candy in your own home. Try preparing Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Homemade “Tootsie Rolls,” Chocolatey Peppermint Wafers, Coco-Almond Candies, and Nut Brittle. Consider giving some away as gifts to friends, family, neighbors, etc. during the holiday season.
Read the entire article with recipes here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2018issue4/2018_issue4_holiday_candy.php
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In the latest issue of Vegan Journal, Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, reviews recent scientific papers related to vegetarianism. Topics covered include More Adults in the USA Are Eating Chickpeas and Calcium Supplements and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease. See: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue4/2023_issue4_scientific_update.php
To subscribe to Vegan Journal visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php
By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD
Higher intakes of saturated fat are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. In order to reduce this risk, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 calls for a saturated fat intake of less than 10% of calories (1).
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently investigated sources of saturated fat in the U.S. diet (2). They compiled results of a survey of close to 12,000 people age 2 years and older in the United States. Participants were asked to list all the foods and the amounts of those foods they ate in the past 24 hours.
On average, saturated fat intake was 11.9% of calories, which is higher than the 10% of calories recommended by Dietary Guidelines. Dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, pizza, and macaroni and cheese were responsible for approximately 30% of the saturated fat in American’s diets. The meat group, which included red meat, poultry, and cured meat was responsible for about 20%. These two food groups supply half of the saturated fat in diets in the United States. About 40% of saturated fat came from the “other” group which included savory snacks, bread, processed foods, and fats and oils. The saturated fat in the “other” group was mainly from saturated fat added during food processing.
The “plant sources” food group accounted for 7.5% of saturated fat intake. This group included fruits and vegetables, vegetable dishes, legumes and dishes containing legumes, nuts and seeds, and processed soy products. Nuts and seeds contain some saturated fat, but their high content of unsaturated fats helps to explain their association with a reduced risk of heart disease. Other sources of saturated fat in the “plant sources” food group are likely to be saturated fats added to processed foods.
The top sources of saturated fat overall were red meats, sweet bakery products (like cakes and pies), cured meats, milk, cheese, and pizza.
The top source of saturated fat for men was red meat, for women the top source was sweet bakery products. Dairy milk was the top source for 2-5 year olds, sweet bakery products for 6-11 year olds, pizza for 12-19 year olds, red meat for 20-59 year olds, and sweet bakery products for those 60 years and older.
A markedly reduced consumption or elimination of meat, dairy products, and processed foods containing saturated fat could effectively reduce the amount of saturated fat in American’s diets.
References
To read more about saturated fat see: Update on Saturated Fat
In the most recent issue of Vegan Journal, we review Soley’s Fruit Jerky strips. Each pineapple strip contains half of a pineapple in one serving! Some of the flavors available include banana, banana-pecan, mango-cacao, pineapple-chili, and more. All ar4 without added sugars or preservatives. See our review in Vegan Journal: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2023issue4/2023_issue4_veggie_bits.php
To subscribe to Vegan Journal visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php
Cold Brew Coffee Cake photo by Hannah Kaminsky
Hannah Kaminsky’s article titled Beverage Inspired Holiday Treats will give you some new ideas of dishes to prepare during the upcoming holiday season. You might want to add one of these delicious desserts to your festive menu this year: Hot Cocoa Brownies, Maple Brown Sugar-Oat Milk Pops, Cold Brew Coffee Cake, Poached Pear Upside-Down Cake, and Orange-Pepper Peanut Brittle.
Find the article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2021issue4/2021_issue4_holiday_treats.php
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The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on veganism and the interrelated issues of health, nutrition, ecology, ethics, and world hunger. We have been helping health professionals, food services, businesses, educators, students, vegans, and vegetarians since 1982. In addition to publishing the Vegan Journal, VRG produces and sells a number of books.
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