Check out my progress on The Vegan Stigma
Earlier today, I came across an article in the Wall Street Journal (of all places!) about the marketability of vegan baked goods. In recent months, it seems that bakeries everywhere are transitioning from labeling their sweets as “vegan” to “egg-free” or “dairy-free.” Apparently, despite the dramatic increase in the popularity of veganism, most of America still perceives vegan fare as, well, not tasty.
All this talk about the stigma against vegan food reminded me all too well of my personal experiences with health-food haters. I once prepared and presented a batch of vegan cookies to a group of guests…only to discover that they wanted nary a nibble. I learned from my mistake, however—now whenever I make a batch of tofu mousse or whole grain cupcakes, I keep quiet and let the food speak for itself.
Have you ever encountered negative attitudes toward your healthful and/or vegan cooking?
Onto the eats!
I’ve been craving chocolate and peanut butter like crazy lately…so I healthified it up with an oat bran version this morning.
In hopes of curing Seth’s mysterious illness this past weekend, I hit up the Teet for some chicken soup. While I was in the soup aisle, I decided to see what Campbell’s had to offer these days—I’ve been sticking to homemade or boxed soups from TJ’s for years now. I came across a pretty tasty looking version of reduced-sodium tomato soup. Campbell’s soups were BOGO, so I decided to give it a whirl.
What I neglected to notice in the store, however is that yes, the sodium was reduced—but check out that sugar content: 15 grams! Yikes.
No use in letting it go to waste. The flavor was mildly reminiscent of all those cans of ABCs 123s of my youth—very sweet and not a solid chunk of tomato to be found. Not bad though.
For a snack I attempted to make Ellie’s Smoked Turkey Wrapped Asparagus. I failed.
My tweak:
-I used smoked tempeh bacon instead of smoked turkey.
Try as I might, I could not make the tempeh wrap around the asparagus—the texture was just not right for it. I ultimately gave up and just chopped the tempeh and sprinkled it on top. I tried.
Tonight’s dinner was a simple frittata featuring my favorites: kale, sweet potato, and cheddar. Yummage.
Alright, I have an early morning tomorrow—good night!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I have been there! When I was in my senior year of college I shared a house with two roommates, and they were just bewildered by my cooking and eating habits. “But you’re skinny!” they’d say as they made grilled Velveeta on white bread with Campbell’s condensed tomato soup made with whole milk.
I made dinner for them a couple of times, but neither liked vegetables much and one once asked me: “Don’t you eat anything that isn’t low-sodium, low fat or HEALTHY? Jeez…”
Also had same roommate throw out a baggie of leftover tempeh cause she thought it “looked moldy.”
People can be SO judgemental about the eating habits of others!
It drives me NUTS when people think healthy = tasteless.
I too don’t announce “vegan food coming in” when I make goodies for friends and it’s also not on our cookbook. It’s not that I’m not proud of it, but I don’t want to turn off people before they even give it a chance!
Hi Caroline, I’ve got a topic for you for reader request posts, that’s if you don’t think it’s too boring or too straight forward: the health detriments of a diet too high in sodium. My boyfriend is convinced that since he sweats a lot he can add salt to everything since he’s ‘sweating it out’. Can you please help me convince him that this is not true! He has heart disease in his family history too…
Thanks!
Courtney
yup. sounds about right. “plant based” is way less scary too it seems.
I don’t know why people automatically assume that if something is healthy it must not taste good. My friends frequently poke fun at my eating habits and say that I live off of “grass and tree bark”! Which couldn’t be farther from the truth. However, the ones that have given my cooking/baking a chance have been pleasantly surprised but how tasty vegan food can be!
But, I’m with you- I definitely don’t announce that my food is vegan when I’m bringing it to a party or event. (Not until after they’ve tried it, that is!)
What a wonderful way of transforming oat bran into something so tasty!!
Yum! That frittata looks really good! I’ve never tried a combo like that before
That makes me want chocolate and PB so badly. Hope you’re doing well, Caroline!
All the sugar in the soup comes from the tomatoes…which are naturally high in sugars. (I am pretty sure I have read the ingredients before correct me if I am wrong.)
Curious why the sugar content would concern you despite the natural source? P
*Please know I am genuinely curious not challenging you or anything. Since you are studying nutrition I value so very much your blog and your insights. I am curious since I have issues with sugar and its a concern of mine
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BroccoliHut Reply:
October 18th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
I initially thought that it was natural sugar from the tomatoes, but then I looked at the ingredients list–sugar was listed within the first five ingredients! You’re right though–if it were just the natural sugars present in the tomato, I wouldn’t have pointed it out.
Gasp! I never would have thought. I have their Southwestern Vegetable (BOGO sale) and the sugar is further down but man….why does it have to be in EVERYTHING!!! Harumph.
Oh well, a sale is a sale (0:
even though i dont follow a vegan diet i still eat and cook a lot of vegan meals and i still to this day see people cringe or raise an eyebrow just when i say the word ‘vegan’…as if i put some unknown substance in their food…but thankfully when they eat the food all their doubts vanish
xoxo <3
I remember when I told the girls at work that I was a vegan they commented it was hard to even be vegetarian (and got the no wonder you’re so skinny, you don’t eat). Oh, I eat alright. I’ve never had any complaints on my baking/cooking-in fact they’re often more popular. The only instance I’ve encountered someone noticing the difference was my mom since shes a super taster.
My friends know im vegan, and therefore cook vegan. But when i come to a potluck amd they ask what my dish is i describe it as “fresh summer salad rolls with a spicy peanut dipping sauce” or as “what i found at the farmers market mixed with quinoa and fresh cilantro” or “maple roasted apples from upstate”. Yes its vegan. Nope, nobody asked- their mouths are usually too full to talk!