In her video “What They Don’t Tell You About Going Vegan,” Nisha Vora offers a revealing look at these lesser-known transformations, sharing some of the most important things she wishes she’d known when she made the switch.

Vora, who runs the Rainbow Plant Life YouTube channel, is a Harvard grad and a former corporate lawyer-turned-content creator. She uses her platform to teach people how to cook healthy vegan meals while sharing practical advice for navigating a vegan lifestyle.

This video is an excellent guide for anyone considering veganism or looking to better understand the transition. Watch the video below for all of Vora’s learnings.

People will ask a lot of questions

Vora notes that something that will surprise you when you first go vegan is the reactions you’ll get from people.

“I was not prepared for the amount and frequency of questions I got,” Vora says. From inquiries about protein and assumptions that she’d be eating only salads, to philosophical debates about food ethics, she quickly learned that curiosity – often mixed with skepticism – was inevitable. Developing “stock answers” helped her respond calmly and confidently without draining herself emotionally.

Read more: Peanut Butter Noodles: A Weeknight Favorite

You’ll grow a thicker skin

Jokes at the expense of vegans are more common than she expected. “Just because you’ve given up eating animals and animal products, you don’t have to lose your sense of humor,” she says.

But there’s a line. When jokes become offensive, especially around animal suffering, Vora doesn’t let them slide. Instead, she advocates for balancing assertiveness with grace.

That said, she also appreciates a good-natured joke. When people say vegans can’t stop talking about being vegan, she laughs and admits: “It’s funny and it’s true. Look at me, I’m vegan and that’s literally all I talk about on this channel.”

Planning becomes second nature

“Since going vegan, I’ve been surprised by how much of a planner I’ve become,” Vora notes. Whether checking restaurant menus ahead of time, calling hosts about parties, or packing snacks for flights, Vora has learned that a little preparation goes a long way. Apps, freezer meals, and homemade snacks help her stay on track. Vora’s go-to travel snacks include trail mix, bananas and nut butter packs, her breakfast cookies, and roasted chickpeas.

The eating gets even better

Vora assumed a vegan diet would be boring, but she was ready to do it for the animals and the planet. Instead, it opened up an entirely new world of flavors. “Without the mentality of ‘I have to have a piece of meat on my plate,’ and then build everything around it, I found that I had so much more flexibility and creativity,” she says. From cauliflower tacos to creamy lentil pastas, her meals became more inventive, and more enjoyable.

Comfort foods are still on the table

Being vegan doesn’t mean abandoning beloved dishes. For example, around Thanksgiving, Vora still enjoys mashed potatoes, cornbread, and mac and cheese. On date-night she still makes mushroom risotto, and when summer rolls around, it’s time for her incredible peach cobbler, just with plant-based swaps. Her comfort food recipes remain a favorite among her audience, proving that ethical eating can still be indulgent.

You can find more plant-based lifestyle tips and recipes on the Rainbow Plant Life YouTube channel.

Read more: Budget-Friendly Vegan Meal Prep Ideas – Under $10 Per Day

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

The limited-edition capsule, unveiled at Milan Design Week earlier this month, features hoodies, t-shirts, and shorts made entirely from regenerative plant-based materials – and they’re even fully compostable. 

Each piece is made without synthetics or plastics. Once worn out, the garments can be buried in the earth without leaving behind microplastics or toxic residues.

“This is just the beginning – the next evolution of sportswear made for athletes and built for the planet,” the two brands said in a joint statement. 

Read more: Fur Production Has Plummeted To Lowest Level In Years

This marks the first major product launch from UNLESS since it was acquired by Under Armour. Founded in 2020 by former Adidas executive Eric Liedtke, UNLESS is thought to be the world’s first plant-based, zero-plastic regenerative fashion brand. In line with its commitment to a plastic-free future, it creates clothing and footwear using natural materials that can be safely returned to the environment after being worn. 

The collection

The collection draws inspiration from skate, surf, and outdoor cultures, according to Under Armour. Despite being biodegradable, the garments are built to meet everyday durability standards.

The plant-based capsule collection is available exclusively at the Under Armour Brand House in Baltimore. Prices range from $30 to $160. We don’t yet know if or when the products will be available to buy online or elsewhere.

Read more: UGG Announces Launch Of Vegan Boots 

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Whittle explained that back then, eating vegan required a lot of improvisation. “The 2007 vegan diet was about grit, resourcefulness, and just really putting together what you could,” she said. Instead of Beyond Burgers or oat milk lattes, the early days of veganism relied on health food store staples, “accidentally vegan” supermarket finds, and homemade meals.

Read more: ‘My Simple Hack For Easier Plant-Based Meals’

Breakfast: granola, baked pears, and soy milk

For breakfast, Whittle prepared a bowl of granola with baked pears and soy milk. While oat milk is now a go-to for many, she explained that soy milk dominated the dairy-free space in 2007. “There were definitely so many more non-dairy milks available today,” she said, “but back in the day, I’d probably say it was soy, and also I’d say Alpro was probably the big leader.”

She also noted how her preference for black coffee was shaped by the lack of accessible dairy-free options. “I take my coffee black, and I’m very confident that’s because when I first went vegan, it was virtually impossible to find somewhere with soy milk,” she recalled.

Lunch: veggie burgers and pita with hummus

For lunch, Whittle recreated a classic early vegan meal: a vegetable-based burger in pita bread with hummus and roasted peppers. “These burgers are basically like flour, potato, sweetcorn, peas, onion, red pepper, carrot – you know, a very veggie burger,” she said. Before realistic meat alternatives existed, plant-based burgers were often grain- and vegetable-based.

Hummus was another staple, something she said she’d been eating for “the longest time.” In the absence of widespread vegan spreads, hummus was one of the few supermarket items that fit into a plant-based diet without modification.

Dinner: bangers and mash

For a comforting dinner, Whittle made a classic British dish – bangers and mash – using Linda McCartney sausages, which were around in 2007. She paired them with mashed potatoes made with non-dairy milk and butter, both of which were available at the time thanks to the dairy-free market.

She also used Bisto gravy, a product that had long been “accidentally vegan.” She noted that in her early vegan days, she originally bought the brand’s vegetable version, only to later learn the original was also plant-based. “When I first went vegan, we were buying the green one for ages because we just never would have assumed this one was,” she said.

Leek and potato soup

Another meal Whittle prepared was a simple leek and potato soup, inspired by her recent vegetable delivery box. She sautéed leeks in garlic olive oil, added chopped potatoes, and simmered everything with a vegetable stock cube. “I actually do not know if there were vegan stock cubes back in the day, but I’m going to assume there were either accidentally vegan ones or that you could get them in a health store,” she said.

Once blended, the soup turned thick and creamy, making it a filling option that fit the era’s resourceful cooking style.

Read more: Why Freezing Tofu Is the Ultimate Cooking Hack

Beans on toast: a British classic

One of the most nostalgic meals Whittle revisited was beans on toast. “When I first went vegan, my big resources were the PETA website and the Viva website, and I feel like one of them must have had on their homepage something saying, ‘Beans on toast is vegan, your world’s not going to change,’” she recalled.

She noted that this meal was a reassuring staple, proving that some familiar foods didn’t need to be altered. She also reflected on how early social media made her question whether she was “doing veganism wrong” when she started seeing more elaborate plant-based meals online.

Tofu stir-fry with orange soy sauce

For a quick and simple dinner, Whittle made a tofu stir-fry with an improvised orange soy sauce. “I have never made this sauce before,” she admitted, but explained that in 2007, many pre-made sauces weren’t labeled vegan or weren’t widely shared as plant-based options.

The result was a flavorful, citrusy dish that felt reminiscent of early vegan cooking – relying on whole foods and simple seasonings to create meals without the convenience of today’s pre-packaged options.

Juicing leftover produce

In an effort to reduce food waste, Whittle also made fresh juices using leftover produce from her fridge. “I feel like I kind of need to make some room in my fridge, so we’re going to take out some of the fruits and veg that are starting to look a bit weaker and we’re going to juice them,” she explained.

Her first juice included apples, carrots, pears, oranges, red cabbage, cucumber, and ginger. “Very sweet, very refreshing, very lovely,” she said after tasting it. She also made a blood orange, carrot, ginger, and red cabbage juice, emphasizing how fresh, homemade juices were a practical way to use up excess produce.

Find more of Nicole Whittle’s recipes and meal plans on her YouTube channel.

Read more: ‘I Tried Every Way To Make Crispy Tofu – This Is The Best One’

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

With the number of people moving away from animal products on the rise, it’s no wonder that so many people choose to have a plant-based or fully vegan wedding. Here are five couples’ accounts of planning and celebrating vegan weddings.

Read more: New Research Highlights Growing Plant-Based Shift In The UK

The 7 most spectacular vegan weddings

Klaus and Kamal

Klaus is a health and sustainability advocate and public speaker, as well as the founder and CEO of Plant Based News (PBN). He and Kamal, a finance lawyer, met through mutual friends at an after-party for Vevolution in 2019, where they stayed out partying until past 4am.

Klaus and Kamal got married two years later at Euridge Manor, a grand Georgian house located right on the edge of the Cotswolds, in southwest England. The couple initially had an intimate civil ceremony with just their immediate families present, but decided to celebrate again with a larger party once the UK’s lockdown restrictions lifted a few months later.

Everything at Klaus and Kamal’s wedding was vegan, including the stationary, decor, and sustainable, custom-made wedding outfits created by celebrated Indian designer Anita Dongre. Middlesex-based S&K Foods provided an Indian feast in Euridge Manor’s grand ballroom, and the after-party included Booja Booja ice cream and Humbledough bakery carts.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Klaus Mitchell (@klaus0m)

“The caterers did a phenomenal job and I’m so grateful that all our suppliers understood our vision,” said Klaus. “With my work, sustainability is an important mission for me that goes beyond just work. Our wedding was a real example of that.”

Klaus said he was pleased that he and Kamal could celebrate with a traditional Indian wedding that also emphasized gender equality and the couple’s shared feminist values. The ceremony itself was conducted by the UK’s first female Hindu/Jain priest, Chanda Vyas.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anita Dongre (@anitadongre)

“I couldn’t have wished for a better day – and I’m proud that we were able to put on such a fun party without compromising on our values,” continued Klaus. “Everyone commented on how delicious the food was and the many options we had throughout the day.”

Holly and Jason

Holly and Jason first met through mutual friends in 2011, and have been together ever since. The couple live in the southwest of the UK with their two cats and rescue dog, Michael. (Michael also attended Holly and Jason’s wedding, where he briefly became the center of attention.)

Holly – who is also known by her artist moniker HollyMae – is an illustrator and surface pattern designer with a day job as a program and business development manager for a medieval friary. Meanwhile, Jason plays in bands, writes music, and works as a content and community manager. “We are both creative people,” Holly told PBN.

“Jason and I have both been vegan for a number of years and it was important to us that our wedding reflected our values,” continued Holly. “It was met with some apprehension from guests, with Jason being of Zimbabwean heritage where meat is a large part of the diet. We wanted to prove that vegan food can be indulgent and delicious, and we couldn’t bear the thought of any animal suffering being funded by our decision to hold an event.”

‘I feel like it was a success!’

The couple chose a venue with approved caterers and picked several vegan canapés, including faux chicken, mushroom, and pate, and a few additional small plates. The main wedding breakfast was a sit-down meal with seasonal, locally available ingredients. For the evening, they opted for vegan bunny chow – a half loaf of bread filled with guests’ choice of curry and sundries – and combined a centerpiece wedding cake with several other cakes, all of which were vegan.

“The guests tucked into it all and many of our meat eater attendees commented on the food,” said Holly. “So I feel like it was a success!”

However, the sustainable, curated, and plant-based theme also went beyond food. Holly opted for a cruelty-free makeup artist, a vegan, aerosol-free hairstylist, and non-traditional wedding shoes, while Jason chose footwear – a pair of vegan Doc Martens – that he has worn many times since. The bridesmaids all picked their own dresses from Vinted, and the couple provided guests with eco-friendly, confetti-style dried flowers that fed the local wildlife.

For the wedding favors, each guest received a small card with a personal note from Jason and a hand-drawn illustration from Holly. “I hoped that they would be more likely to hang onto them with them being so personalized, again reducing any single-use/throw-away items that would negatively impact the planet,” she said.

Rory and Issy

Rory and Issy met at a horse racing protest outside the Grand National around 11 years ago. They started out as “protest buddies” before becoming colleagues, then friends, and then romantic partners. Issy told PBN that they are both ethical vegans, and live a flight-free and substance-free lifestyle. (Which, Issy said, makes them “a bundle of laughs.”) The couple live in the Peak District and are currently planning their vegan wedding for September of this year.

Early in their relationship, Rory and Issy both worked together as campaigners at the UK-based vegan charity Viva! Rory went on to found This Is Not a Game Co – best known for Plants Against Veganity and the Vegan Dictionary – and Issy now works at a theatre.

When they first began planning their ideal wedding, the couple “considered everything,” including eloping, church weddings, registry offices, and more. However, Issy said that “none of it really fit” their situation and lifestyle. The couple wanted to celebrate in a way that was budget-friendly, non-traditional, and “fit the vegan vibe,” meaning no farm-based venues.

‘Vegans are always happy to cook’

Issy said that after plenty of research, the couple has decided to celebrate their wedding in their own home and garden with a vegan staple: a buffet-style potluck. Rory’s Mum will supply main dishes like lentil and vegan mince lasagnas, plant-based pizzas, and finger sandwiches, while guests can bring whatever they like – providing it is suitable for vegans.

The couple’s RSVPs also include information about what an entirely vegan wedding involves – including no leather shoes, wool, or silk – and Issy said that they plan to have “responsible vegans in charge of the food” to make sure all of the offerings are 100 percent plant-based.

“The benefit of a vegan potluck is that vegans are always happy to cook and show off their favorite vegan meals, and we can showcase a variety of different cuisines, dishes, and flavor palettes to the nonvegans who may have wildly different preferences,” explained Issy. “So there should be something for everyone!”

Kelly and Kyle

Kelly and Kyle have been ethical vegans for 15 years and both work within the nonprofit space. Kyle currently works for Vegan Grants and also runs his own business helping nonprofits leverage AI, while Kelly works with Sea Shepherd Australia and Animals Australia.

The couple decided early on that their wedding should be “an extension” of their vegan belief system, and Kelly told PBN that having a vegan wedding was “non-negotiable” for them.

“Our wedding was super small, just our daughter and a couple of close friends as witnesses, plus our dogs, but we still made sure everything from fashion to food was vegan,” said Kelly. “We wanted our special day to be a celebration of love, not just between us, but for the animals too.”

A vegan wedding was ‘non-negotiable’ for Kelly and Kyle

The couple are based in Victoria, Australia, and first met during a tour of Edgar’s Mission, a farmed animal sanctuary where Kyle worked at the time. When they met, Kelly was working at another sanctuary, but in 2017 she joined the Edgar’s team alongside Kyle. “That’s when we really got to know each other, fell in love, and the rest is history,” said Kelly.

They had their wedding ceremony at Mount Macedon, a dormant volcano above a small town of the same name. After the ceremony, they moved on to Edgar’s Mission for photographs and dinner – a plant-based grazing table and vegan pizzas from Melbourne’s Red Sparrow – alongside the animal friends they made during their time working at the sanctuary.

Kelly and Kyle now have their own property where they have been able to adopt several animals themselves. Kelly is also a photographer and has published a free photo guide titled 10 Essential Tips For Mastering Animal Photography, which is available from her website.

Rohini and Siddhant

Rohini, a nutritionist and the co-author of Living PCOS Free, married Siddhant in Hatfield, England. The pair met in Mumbai, on India’s west coast, at a Holi party. (Widely known as the Festival of Colours, a springtime Hindu celebration that famously features paint-throwing and dancing.)

The couple’s wedding took place at Hatfield House, an estate that has featured in high-profile films like 2018’s The Favourite and the TV show Bridgerton. Rohini told PBN that the couple’s celebration combined the vibrancy and joy of an Indian wedding with the intimacy of an English wedding, and included an eco-conscious aesthetic throughout the food, outfits, and decor.

Rohini and Siddhant opted for potted flowers grown by the bride’s mother in place of cut bouquets, which the guests took home after the wedding. They also used borrowed jewelry for good luck, and raised nearly USD $7,000 for Wildlife SOS and Educate Girls instead of more traditional wedding gifts. The Indian charities protect entertainment animals – including elephants abused in the wedding industry – and educate girls and women, respectively.

‘The food was a huge success’

“Creating a completely vegan celebration was incredibly important,” said Rohini. “It required a lot of effort but it was worth it – from sourcing silk-free Indian wedding fabrics for our outfits to finding vegan and gluten-free options for a guest with an allergy.”

Rohini told PBN that she worked closely with the wedding caterers to develop a menu that would satisfy all 180 guests throughout the 14-hour-long celebration. Dishes included crispy okra fries, sweet potato chaat, green moong dal, Thai green curry, Tofu Pad Thai, green mango salad, stewed jackfruit, and a coconut-infused sweet potato and chickpea curry. 

Desserts included kheer rice pudding with cardamom, pistachios, and saffron, Booja Booja truffles, Motichoor Laddoo (sweetened, fried gram flour pearls), and fruity sorbet. The couple also chose a selection of vegan wedding cakes, including zucchini and lemon, blueberry and elderflower, carrot cake, chocolate, and Victoria sponge, all made with vegan, olive oil-based buttercream.

“The food was a huge success – even among our most skeptical friends who had never eaten a fully vegan meal before, let alone for a whole weekend,” said Rohini. “Almost six years on from the wedding, I have several friends who are following a more plant-based diet since, including my best friend and her sister who both went vegan inspired by the event. Seeing everyone enjoying the food and drinks made all the planning worthwhile.”

Jenné and Maxx

Jenné is the plant-based cook, influencer, and author behind the recipe blog Sweet Potato Soul and the accompanying recipe book Sweet Potato Soul Vegan Vibes.

She has written extensively about her experiences planning a vegan wedding with Maxx, including picking a caterer, finding a cake, choosing a wedding dress, and all other parts of the process. Jenné described planning a vegan wedding as a “super time-consuming” but fun challenge, particularly as – like many couples – they were working with a strict budget.

Dresses and suits can be expensive, and the latter frequently use animal-derived materials like wool. With budget, sustainability, and vegan requirements in mind, Jenné and Maxx each opted for a secondhand option purchased online and then tailored items to fit. 

‘It felt so good to see all of our planning come together’

The couple got married at the venue 1909 Topanga Canyon, which offered outdoor space, indoor space, and a banquet room, and allows couples to use any caterer. They chose vegan celebrity chef Lauren Von der Pool, who created an entirely plant-based menu.

Dishes included Superfood Shitake Kale Salad, Southern Fried Crispy Chicken served with Mumbo Sauce, Caribbean Red Bean Stew, Crispy Potato Salad topped with micro greens, African Street Corn (Eritrean berbere spiced corn coated in a buttery garlic aioli), Sweet Potato Purée, Chicken & Waffles, and Coconut Braised Greens (tender greens stewed in a buttery coconut milk miso broth), all served buffet-style.

Jenné and Maxx also hired Krysten Littles of Baby Love Sweetery to make a two-tier chocolate salted caramel cake with pleated buttercream icing. “On our wedding day, it felt so good to see all of our planning come together, and I’m very happy to be able to say it was a 100 percent vegan event,” wrote Jenné in a blog post about the experience.

Andrea and Marcus

Andrea is a nutritionist and health coach at a private longevity clinic in Sweden and runs an informational Instagram account under the name Healing With Andrea. Her husband, Marcus, is a teacher and has worked with children for “many years.”

“I met my dream man, Marcus, six years ago,” said Andrea. “At that time, I was working part-time in a health food store, and he came in as a customer. We connected instantly and talked (until I had to close the store) about veganism, healthy foods, healing tools, and fasting.”

She told PBN that it was clear from the start that they wanted their wedding to be vegan, as Andrea had already been vegan for 10 years and Marcus for eight at the time. She noted that the couple always chooses vegan clothing, including Marcus’s suit and leather-style shoes and both of Andrea’s two wedding dresses.

Andrea and Marcus received ‘so much’ positive feedback from guests about the vegan menu

“We wanted to cater from a wonderful vegan restaurant in Stockholm called Chouchou, so we could ensure that all the food would be delicious and well-made,” said Andrea. “We served a tasty vegan buffet with minced ‘meat’ pie, Caesar salad, cevapcici, puff pastry with caramelized onions, potato salad, tomato salad, hummus, tzatziki, and freshly baked bread.”

The couple also opted for vegan wine and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as two wedding cakes: a “rich” chocolate cake with buttercream and an almond cake with vanilla and meringue. At midnight, they served vegan hot dogs to all the guests still dancing.

“We absolutely love animals! We couldn’t imagine serving any animal products at the wedding, it would go against our core beliefs,” she added. “Even though the majority of the guests were non-vegans, we received so much positive feedback regarding the menu!”

Read more: What is Sparkling Tea? The Wellness Drink Popular With Gen Z

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

Thankfully, the days when finding a cruelty-free and vegan deodorant meant seeking out a remote health shop are behind us. Perhaps you’ve also tried a few vegan and zero-waste deodorants that just didn’t work for you, and are wondering if there are any good vegan deodorants that work. 

Don’t sweat it, we’ve got your back, or armpits, as it happens. As the vegan movement continues to grow, there are more and more vegan deodorants being unveiled all the time.

And a bonus: a lot of the best vegan brand deodorants use ingredients that are much kinder to the skin, whether they are organic and/or more natural, or because the deodorant in question avoids a lot of the harsher ingredients seen in many of the biggest name brands. 

As you’ll see below also, many of the vegan products use more responsible packaging. Many are, for example, compostable or zero waste. Some also use recycled or easily recyclable materials.

Read more: What’s The Problem With False Eyelashes? The Hidden Suffering Behind Them

Which of the big-name brands aren’t vegan-friendly?

Here are some of the bigger-name brands of deodorant that you will commonly see in shops that are not suitable for vegans. 

• Sure
• Old Spice 
• L’Oreal
• Sanex 
• Gillette 
• Nivea 

Why aren’t all deodorants vegan?

The main culprit that prevents many mainstream deodorant brands from being vegan is animal testing. Many well-known companies still use animal testing methods before bringing their products to market. 

It can be tricky to know whether the brand you’re considering buying from is cruelty-free. Some brands use confusing language, and may claim to be cruelty-free when they’re not. To be sure, it’s best to check out online resource Cruelty Free Kitty for confirmation on a company’s animal testing policy. 

Still more confusingly, if a brand is listed as cruelty-free, that doesn’t mean all its products are vegan. There are a few animal-derived ingredients to watch out for in deodorants also. Get your squint-eyes ready to read the fine print for ingredients like:

• Shellac, derived from the lac insect, a small insect
• Lanolin, a wax from sheep’s wool 
• Beeswax produced by bees 
• Gelatin, derived from animal collagen
• Other animal byproducts: These may be listed under less recognizable names, making them tricky to spot

With that last point in mind, the best and safest practice is to opt for deodorants that are loud and proud about being vegan and cruelty-free.

Read more: What Is Shellac? The Ethical Costs Of The Popular Ingredient

The nine best vegan deodorants 

Nuud

Let’s kick things off with a fairly miraculous little vegan deodorant. If you were worried about the best vegan deodorant costing you much more than the standard stuff, here is one that will save you a small fortune for your armpits. Prices like £13/$16.50 for one 15ml deodorant might seem pretty damn steep, but here is the Nuud USP: you apply a pea-sized amount of the cream to your armpit, and then you are set for the next three days. And yes, even if you wash daily. 

Considering deodorizing is usually a daily ritual, you do the math! Nuud only contains seven ingredients (as opposed to the essay you have to read on the big brands), with 71 percent of the formula being organic. The cute little tube is made from sugar cane, and is recyclable. 

Buy it online here.

Wild

Wearing deodorant doesn’t mean you can’t be free and wild. And, while some of these best vegan deodorants aren’t easy to find on the high street, Wild is available in major retailers such as Boots in the UK. Unlike the usual high street deodorants, the only aluminum used on this one is the planet-friendly refillable case, while the refills themselves are made from bamboo, which can either be composted or widely recycled.

Some of the scent options to get your nostrils happy include Enchanted Forest, Coconut & Vanilla, and Ocean Mist to name a few. Wild has had wildly positive reviews from the likes of GQ, Vogue, and The Times, and the natural ingredients only require two swipes per armpit to have you smelling swell all day long once you’re out the shower. Extra cute Minis are available also, which are perfect for travelling.

Buy it online here. 

Lush Aromaco

If you’ve ever walked into a Lush store, you’ll know what it’s like being greeted by all the stunning aromas they offer at once. Most of the Lush vegan deodorant options are actually a powder which you rub into your arm pits. But, if that’s not your cup of tea, they also offer Aromaco, a solid bar of deo. 

“Astringent witch hazel tackles odor-causing bacteria so you feel fresh, while chamomile vinegar soothes the skin. And to help keep you naturally fresh, there’s also a little patchouli oil in it, too.” Nice. As the name suggests, treat yourself to an aroma that will have your acquaintances appreciating what a wonderfully hygienic person you are.

Buy it online here.

Fussy

As seen on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den, Fussy has established itself as a top natural and vegan deodorant brand, especially for the fussiest of armpits. This is another deo that loves the refill life, making it a top choice for sustainability points. Scent-wise, how do tropical, citrus, floral, or fresh cotton sound? The unique ingredient, lactobacillus, fights off odor-producing bacteria and will have you smelling like the aforementioned charming smells all day long.

Buy it online here.

Salt of the Earth

Made in the UK since 1993, this family-run business used to make the deodorants at home using a tea urn, before becoming the multi-award winning business we know today. 

Also available in spray and stick deodorant form, and now offering eco-refill options, Salt of the Earth uses 100 percent natural origin ingredients, is moisturising for the most sensitive of pits, and is enriched with aloe vera. Scents include Amber & Sandalwood, Ocean & Coconut, and there’s even a ‘Masculine Bundle’ for those worried about smelling too floral.

Buy it online here.

Ilex Wood

A great name to go to if you’re having a hard time finding a nice vegan lip balm, Ilex Wood also offers some lovely cruelty-free and vegan deodorants. 

Stunning smells include Ylang Ylang & Cedarwood and Spiced Patchouli, and these deos are aluminum-free, made from recyclable cardboard, and handmade in the UK. Like quite a few of the products listed here, Ilex Wood’s deodorants don’t stop the natural sweating process but crucially prevent any unpleasant body odors by neutralizing bacteria buildup. 

Buy it online here.

Mood by Coconut Matter

Let’s hear it one more time for zero-waste cardboard vegan deodorant tubes! On the packaging front, Mood can be home-composted or simply buried in a patch of earth. The titular Mood alludes to the spirits-lifting essential oils used in the gorgeous scents Coconut Matter uses. For example, Bliss is a combination of lemongrass, frankincense, and lime, which will have you flying emotionally high when you apply it out the shower. 

Buy it online here.

Herban Cowboy

The herb and plant-created scent options include Dusk, Fores, and Sport, and you can opt for stick or spray deodorants. Perfect for long days throwing a lasso around, patrolling the wild west, or whatever it is cowboys are getting up to these days. Yeehaw! 

Buy it online here.

No Pong

To round out this best vegan deodorant compendium, here is an indie brand founded in Australia (which also delivers internationally). Give this one a try and you will, indeed, have no pong. 

These vegan deodorants come in cute little plastic-free tins, keeping you pong-free for up to 12 hours. No Pong is so confident in this, that your deodorant comes with a ‘B.O Free guarantee’ – at the first hint of a pong from your pit, No Pong will refund you.

Buy it online here.

Read more: Are Tattoos Vegan? Everything You Need To Know

This article was written by Adam Protz on the PBN Website.

Read more: This Vegan Snakeskin Bag Is Made From Brewery Waste

The new shoes are available in a variety of bold and brightly colored designs. While some boots are the same style and shape as classic UGGs, others are more unusual. For example, the collection includes tall black platform boots covered with ruffles. Collina Strada is a New York-based company founded by designer Hillary Taymour. It’s known for its bright and contemporary designs.

The UGG x Collina Strada boots aren’t specifically being marketed as vegan. Instead, UGG is emphasizing the use of materials like recycled polyester microfibre, sugarcane, and TENCEL, which are all regarded as relatively eco-friendly. They are available to buy online and at selected retailers, and cost between $160 and $220.

Read more: The Best Vegan Trainers To Buy In The UK

PETA praises the boots

This launch has arguably been a long time coming for the brand. UGG is known for using real sheepskin in its boots, and PETA has been calling on the company to use plant-based materials for a number of years. The animal rights organization has said that the new boots “embrace the future of fashion.”

“The launch of this entirely vegan line comes after PETA, peta2, and thousands of our compassionate supporters pressured UGG to stop using shearling and wool stolen from gentle sheep,” PETA wrote on its website. “As we’ve pointed out to the company, workers castrate, mutilate, and violently kill sensitive sheep before they’re stripped of their wool and skin.”

Shearling and wool are both regarded as cruel. The former refers to real sheepskin with the fleece still attached, meaning animals are farmed and killed to produce it (UGG states that it uses fur from animals killed for meat). While wool is often believed to be an ethical product, the wool industry is rife with cruelty. Sheeps* aren’t killed directly to produce it, but they will generally be slaughtered for meat after being raised for wool. While the new boots are a “step in the right direction,” PETA is urging UGG to move away completely from animal materials. 

*While the English language typically refers to multiple sheeps as “sheep,” we use the former to emphasize their individuality

Read more: Nicki Minaj Launches Range Of Barbie Pink Vegan Sneakers

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Read more: Dr Matthew Nagra Unveils Major Review On Vegan Meat And Heart Health

The episode was released in May 2023, and a segment was recently reshared on Instagram as part of a collaboration between plant-based naturopathic doctor Dr Matthew Nagra and nonprofit Food Facts. 

In the clip, Dr Attia acknowledged that humans “don’t need to eat animal protein.” But he also made a number of other claims about plant-based diets that Dr Nagra criticized.

Dr Peter Attia and plant-based diets

Podcast host Lewis Howes began by asking whether animal protein is “better” protein, to which Dr Attia replied that it’s “more efficient protein.”

“I think people get so hung up on this whole plant / animal nonsense,” Dr Attia continued. “If you don’t want to eat animal protein that’s fine, but you just have to acknowledge that, if you’re going to eat vegetable protein, you’re going to need more of it, you’re probably going to need to cook it, and you’re going to need to be more fastidious and deliberate in paying attention to the types of amino acids.”

He then went on to state that there are 20 amino acids, and people on plant-based diets “have to pay a little bit more attention” to them. 

Read more: Plants Provide All Essential Amino Acids, Says Dr Neal Barnard

“You don’t have to eat animal protein, it just makes your life easier,” he continued. 

Dr Nagra responds

In his critique of the video, Dr Nagra pointed out that Dr Attia made three claims. These were as follows:

• You need to cook your plant protein sources
• You need to track your intake of individual amino acids
• You need to eat more protein than you would from animal sources

In response to the claim that plant proteins need to be cooked, Dr Nagra said: “It is true that cooking many protein-rich plant foods like legumes can increase the digestibility, but we do that anyway.” He then added that it isn’t recommended to eat beans raw, and said that protein-rich plant foods like tofu and vegan meat are already precooked. Many people in the comments also pointed out that animal proteins need to be cooked as well.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dr. Matthew Nagra, ND (@dr.matthewnagra)

Dr Nagra also said that tracking amino acids is “unnecessary” for most people, unless they are eating a “a very monotonous, relatively low-protein diet.”

“Different plant foods provide more or less of certain amino acids, and when eating a varied diet comprised on legumes, grains, nuts, etc, they complement each other,” he said.

Dr Nagra then went on to address Dr Attia’s third claim. “Regarding needing to consume more protein, I suspect he’s referring to protein digestibility scores,” Dr Nagra said. “Well, there are several issues with the commonly referenced scoring systems… but at the end of the day, what matters are the results. Trials comparing people eating a strict or near-strict plant-based diet achieve similar muscle and strength gains to people getting most of their protein from animal sources, as long as they are consuming the SAME AMOUNT (not more) of protein. So these supposed differences in digestibility clearly don’t matter much if you’re getting enough protein.”

At the end of the video, Dr Nagra pointed out that animal protein sources, notably red meat, increases the risk of illnesses like heart disease and colorectal cancer. Citing these conditions, and Dr Attia’s claim that eating animal protein “makes life easier,” Dr Nagra questioned: “Which [diet] really makes life easier in the long run?”

Read more: Is Processed Vegan Food Bad For Your Heart? A Fact Check

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Furthermore, did you know some cleaning products may not even be vegan? This can be due to the ingredients used, or how they were tested, and as a result many commonplace cleaning compounds actually affect animals before, during, and after production.

Let’s dive into exactly what to look out for, and which cleaning products actually are vegan.

Are cleaning products vegan?

There are a variety of things to check when looking for vegan cleaning products, the first of which is the ingredients list. While some of the ingredient names are clearly from animals, others might be unfamiliar or obscure – as is the case with oleyl alcohols, which can be derived from either beef, fish, or olives, and are found in some hand soaps and sanitizers.

It’s important to note here that unless products are explicitly marked with a vegan or cruelty-free label, it’s almost impossible to figure out whether ingredients (such as oleyl alcohols) were derived from animals or plants. Furthermore, even if ingredients such as those listed in this article are not on the label, products may still contain derivatives or similar substances. (Check out PETA’s reference guide to common animal ingredients here.)

Non-vegan ingredients in cleaning products

Beeswax – which can also appear in all sorts of foods from fresh produce to sweets – is frequently used in floor and furniture polish as it gives the surface of wood a protective coating and enhances the natural shine. As with honey, harvesting beeswax takes a toll on the hive and worker bees, all while pollinator populations are falling significantly.

Glycerol, stearic acid, and tallow can all be derived from animal fat, and help to clean and remove stains when used in soap. Both glycerol and stearic acid can be produced using plants as well as animals, but tallow is specifically rendered from the fat of sheep and cattle.

Lanolin, which crops up everywhere from moisturizers to tattoo aftercare products, is the natural grease produced by wool-bearing animals like sheep. It can be found in detergents, as well as lubricants, polish, and even in products which remove or prevent rust.

Lecithin – which aids emulsification and stabilization, protects surfaces, and also helps with rust prevention – can be derived from eggs, milk, or animal flesh, as well as plants such as soy and sunflower. While the latter two varieties are most common, non-vegan varieties are still widely used in various different cleaning products.

Caprylic acid is produced from compounds produced naturally in the milk of mammals such as sheep or cows. It is also extremely widely used, and can be found in everything from dyes and perfumes to sanitizers and disinfectants due to its antifungal and antibacterial qualities.

But whether cleaning products are considered vegan isn’t limited to whether the ingredients themselves are animal derived – it also extends to whether those ingredients were tested on animals.

Cleaning products and animal testing

The testing of household products was banned by the UK government in 2015, though no animals had been used for this purpose since around 2010. The ban also does not effectively restrict the testing of all component ingredients on animals, making it ineffective at best.

Neither Europe or the US have even this minimal restriction on animal testing, and organizations such as Cruelty Free International and the Humane Society of the United States are currently campaigning against these practices.

Typical animal testing of household products might include exposure to toxins and chemicals via aerosolization, force-feeding, or injection. Even if animals survive such experiments, they are almost certainly euthanized afterwards. (Learn more about animal testing here.)

As with the UK’s “ban,” manufacturers may actually market their products as not tested on animals, when in fact the component ingredients were tested during development. Other producers – such as Ecover and Method – may retain their cruelty-free status internally, but have since been purchased by companies that do test on animals, such as SC Johnson. (While many vegans feel comfortable purchasing products from cruelty-free brands owned by non-vegan parent companies, others may avoid them). 

Euphemistic phrasing can also be confusing for shoppers hoping to purchase ethically. For example, “this product is not tested on animals” may imply that its component ingredients were in fact tested on animals, or “this company does not test on animals,” which could mean that all animal testing is outsourced out to external contractors.

The Leaping Bunny logo is currently the only internationally recognized symbol guaranteeing that no new animal tests were used in the development or manufacture of a product.

Vegan cleaning product brands in the UK

There are countless ways to make your own cleaning products at home, such as mixing two tablespoons of castile soap with a few drops of your favorite essential oils and two cups of water for an effective, low-cost, vegan-friendly multi-surface spray. You could also experiment with vinegar, lemon, and water mixes for anti-bacterial cleaners and laundry detergents.

But if you want to leave it to the professionals, here are some of the best vegan and cruelty-free brands and cleaning products available right now.

Astonish

British brand Astonish doesn’t test any of its products on animals and that all of its ingredients are vegan. Astonish is approved by both Cruelty Free International and the Vegan Society, and produces a huge array of products including all-purpose sprays, window cleaners, mould and mildew treatment, fabric stain removers, dishwasher tablets, and more. All of the brand’s packaging is also recyclable, and it details its other green efforts here.

Find Astonish’s products here.

Method

Another British company, Method, also stocks a wide range of products for cleaning homes, hands, bodies, laundry, and dishes. The company says: “We don’t test ingredients or finished products on animals, nor do we order third parties to conduct animal testing on our behalf. We consider ourselves vegan-friendly as none of our products contain animal or animal by-products such as tallow. We are also approved as cruelty-free under the leaping bunny program. Our certifications are independently audited every year.” (Please note: Method is owned by a non-vegan parent company)

Find Method’s products here.

Bio-D

Bio-D has been producing effective but environmentally conscious cleaning products since 1989. With hand soaps, laundry liquids, dishwashing liquids, and a selection of plastic-free options, Bio D is also a member of the Vegan Society and Cruelty Free International. Furthemore, the company runs a “closed loop” recycling program to cut back on waste.

Find Bio D’s products here.

Ecover

Ecover also produces a wide range of cleaning products suitable for domestic and professional use. The company says it has been Leaping Bunny certified since 2011, and is now vegan-friendly – meaning that it doesn’t use any animal or insect-derived ingredients. (Please note: Ecover is owned by a non-vegan parent company)

Find Ecover’s products here.

Zoflora

Zoflora has been producing disinfectants and other cleaning products for over a century. The company says that Zoflora and its suppliers do not test any products or ingredients on animals, and that none of those ingredients are animal-derived.

Find Zoflora’s products here.

Vegan cleaning products in the US

Ecos

Californian brand Ecos is 100 percent vegan and has confirmed that none of its products or ingredients are tested on animals – including suppliers and third parties – anywhere in the world, even when legally required as in China.

Find Ecos’s products here.

Biokleen

Biokleen’s entire range of products are biodegradable, vegan, and the company says that it has never tested a single product on an animal. Biokleen produces a wide variety of cleaning products, including concentrated formulas to cut back on waste and other emissions.

Find Biokleen’s products here.

Better Life

Better Life produces a range of cleaning products including dryer sheets, floor cleaner, and stone cleaner in addition to the usual all-purpose sprays, bottles, and stain removers. The company is also certified by the Leaping Bunny Organization, but it should be noted that Better Life describes its products as “plant-based” rather than explicitly vegan.

Find Better Life’s products here.

Mrs Meyer’s Clean Day spray

Mrs Meyer’s is cruelty-free (ie. does not test on animals) but is not 100 percent vegan, as some of its products do contain animal derived ingredients. However, the brand’s Clean Day multi-surface everyday cleaner is confirmed vegan friendly and linked just below.

Find it here.

Bar Keeper’s Friend Powdered Cleaner

The Powdered Household Cleaner by Bar Keeper’s Friend contains no animal ingredients, and the brand confirms on its website that it does not test its products on animals. The Powdered Household Cleaner is also free from bleach.

Find it here.

More like this:

• Canada Bans ‘Cruel And Unnecessary’ Animal Testing For Cosmetics
• 10 Pigs Rescued From Animal Testing Lab
• The Body Shop Becomes 100 Percent Certified Vegan

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

Featuring on the line-up is a Spicy Vegetable Curry Bake, a Vegan Festive Baguette, and a Sweet Mince Pie. The festive items join a number of other plant-based dishes available at Greggs, which is increasingly becoming known for its vegan-friendly menu. 

The Greggs Christmas menu

The Spicy Vegetable Curry Bake can be enjoyed hot, and it features a range of vegetables, chickpeas, and rice in a curry sauce. All the ingredients come encased in Greggs’ famous glazed puff pastry. It’s a good bet for spice fans, too, as the bake also features chili. It will cost you £1.95.

The Vegan Festive Baguette is said to be reminiscent of a traditional Christmas dinner. It features sage and onion goujons alongside onion gravy, all garnished with a cranberry and onion relish. The baguette will cost you £3.70.

If you fancy something sweet to go with your meal, the Sweet Mince Pie is filled with mincemeat made from vine fruits, apple, candied orange, and lemon peel. The mince pie will cost you £0.65.

All of the new products are available in stores nationwide now. 

Greggs embraces plant-based

Greggs was established in 1939 as a bakery in Tyneside. Now, it operates 2,300 locations across the country. It’s famous for its savory food, including sandwiches and sausage rolls.

While Greggs has long been known for its meat-heavy menu, it has in recent years been catering for increasing demand for vegan food. The chain hit headlines across the country with the launch of the now-iconic vegan sausage roll in 2019. The release even caught the attention of TV presenter and long-term anti-vegan advocate Piers Morgan, who pretended to be sick after eating it on daytime TV. 

Since the sausage roll, Greggs has added a wide variety of vegan options to its menu. If you’re not a fan of festive food, you can choose from dishes including Southern Fried Potato Wedges, a Glazed Ring Doughnut, and a Sweet Potato and Onion Bhaji Rice Box.

More like this:

• Vegan Chain Neat Burger Launches Chunk Foods Steak Sandwich
• Taco Bell To Launch Vegan Nacho Fries With Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce
• ‘Vegan McDonald’s’ That Sells $0.99 Burgers Expands In The US And Australia

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Going vegan is about more than just food, and shopping for suitable cosmetics can be a challenge. Without some prior knowledge, it can be difficult to know what is and isn’t vegan-friendly.

While many companies – including the likes of Kylie Cosmetics, Ariana Grande’s God Is A Woman, and Stella McCartney’s STELLA – are fully vegan, many brands offer just a few animal-free products.

Just to add to the confusion, some ingredients which can be derived from plants or animals have the same name – without the source identified (i.e. stearic acid). The only option here is to look up the manufacturer and see if it has gone into more detail on its website.

Below is a list of some of the most common animal ingredients, and their vegan alternatives.

Non-vegan ingredients in beauty products

1. Lanolin

This emollient is derived from sheep wool. It is a common ingredient in lip products (balms, sticks, glosses), as well as hair products. 

It’s used to soften and moisturize. Synthetic (and plant-based) lanolin exists, but be wary of so-called “cruelty-free” lanolin, which may be still be derived from wool. 

Alternatives include plant oils (i.e. coconut, olive) and butters (shea and coconut).

2. Shellac

A resinous product, obtained from lac bugs, shellac is used in nail products, as well as some hair lacquers. Shellac producers kill hundreds of thousands of these insects to create small amounts of this product.

3. Glycerine

This often comes from animal fats, and is commonly used in a range of products including soaps, hair care, makeup, and moisturizers. Some products use vegetable glycerin, which is suitable for vegans. 

It can be derived from soy, coconut oil, or palm oil (which some vegans choose to avoid).

4. Casein aka sodium caseinate or caseinate

Casein – used in conditioning hair products and face treatments – is usually derived from cow’s milk, and is therefore a non-vegan ingredient. Some vegan alternatives are made from plant-based milks, and will usually be labeled as a vegetable protein.

5. Squalene

Squalene producers extract this chemical from shark liver oil. It is commonly used in lip balm, deodorants, and moisturizers, among other products. 

It is considered a powerful ingredient with anti-ageing properties. Vegan squalene exists, and can be derived from olives and wheat germ. However, it is not always labeled as such, so you may have to do further research to establish whether it is plant-based.

6. Guanine

Created by scraping the scales off dead fish, guanine is sometimes used to make sparkly nail polish, eyeshadow, highlighters, bronzers, and blushes.

7. Oleic acid – aka oleyl stearate, oleyl oleate, or tallow

Companies use this animal fat as a softening and conditioning emollient in nail polish, soap, moisturizers, and makeup. Oleic acid can be plant-derived from a number of sources, including coconut, olives, and nuts. These forms may be labeled as vegan.

8. Animal hair

This can be found in brushes – even ones listed as “cruelty-free” – and is often sourced from fox, sable, horse, goat, mink, and squirrel. 

Animal hair – particularly mink – is also sometimes used in false eyelashes. Synthetic options are available.

9. Stearic acid

Generally derived from pigs’ stomachs (as well as cows and sheep), stearic acid is often found in deodorant, soaps, hair products and moisturizers. A vegan alternative (also called stearic acid) can be derived from plant fats. 

As well as being cruelty-free, the vegan version is also less likely to irritate the skin.

10. Carmine – aka cochineal, natural red 4, E120, and C.I. 75470 

This red colorant, which is often used in lipsticks, blushes and nail polish, is derived from insects. The cochineals are crushed and the color is extracted, with tens of thousands of the creatures killed to produce mere grams of dye.

11. Collagen

Used in lots of anti-ageing products, as well as lip plumping items, this fibrous protein is derived from animal tissue, bone, skin, or ligaments – often from cows. The efficacy of collagen, in terms of whether it can even penetrate the skin, is questionable. 

Plant-based alternatives include soy protein and almond oil.

12. Elastin

Often used in the same kind of products as collagen, elastin is also a protein extracted from the muscles, ligaments and aortas of animals. Vegan alternatives include hyaluronic acid and MSM.

13. Keratin

Keratin comes from the hair and horns of animals, and is often found in strengthening nail and hair products. Soy protein and almond oil are used as vegan alternatives.

14. Beeswax

Sometimes labeled as cera alba, this wax is often used in cosmetics to keep emulsions from separating into its oil and liquid components. Beauty brands use it in mascara too. 

Alternatives exist in the form of plant and soy waxes.

—

This article was originally published on February 7, 2018. It was last updated on March 21, 2023.

If you buy something through a link on our site, Plant Based News may earn a commission, which helps us to provide our free services to millions of people each week.

This article was written by Maria Chiorando on the PBN Website.