Identifying whether a product like Lily’s Chocolate Chips is vegan can be a difficult task.
This difficulty arises due to manufacturers often veiling the true nature and source of their ingredients.
Nevertheless, this article aims to pull back the curtain, uncover the truth, and support you in your quest to live a vegan lifestyle.
Are Lily’s Chocolate Chips Vegan?
Lily’s Chocolate Chips are not entirely vegan. The key ingredients that prevent them from being fully vegan are milk fat and milk chocolate. These are animal-based products, which a vegan diet strictly avoids.
Is Lily’s Chocolate Chips Cruelty-Free?
Yes, Lily’s Chocolate Chips can be considered cruelty-free. Despite containing animal products, these ingredients, namely milk fat and milk chocolate, are generally obtained without causing harm or suffering to animals.
What Are Lily’s Chocolate Chips Made Of?
Let’s delve into the composition of Lily’s Chocolate Chips to understand each ingredient:
- Unsweetened chocolate
- Erythritol
- Chicory root fiber
- Milk (only in milk chocolate flavor)
- Cocoa butter
- Sunflower lecithin
- Vanilla extract
- Stevia extract
Unsweetened chocolate
Unsweetened chocolate, also known as dark chocolate, is made from cocoa beans. It plays a significant role in giving Lily’s Chocolate Chips its classic, rich flavor. Although it’s plant based and vegan, the milk chocolate variety of Lily’s Chips includes milk, an animal product.
Erythritol
Erythritol is a zero-calorie botanical sweetener derived from fruits like grapes and pears. It’s vegan and gives Lily’s Chocolate Chips their sweetness without the added sugar.
Chicory root fiber
This is a plant-based ingredient that adds fiber to the chocolate chips, enhancing the texture and flavor. It’s entirely vegan.
Milk
Milk is an animal-based product and is the reason why the milk chocolate variety of Lily’s Chocolate Chips is not vegan.
Cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is a fat derived from cocoa beans and is responsible for the creamy texture of the chocolate chips. It’s plant based and vegan.
Sunflower lecithin
Sunflower lecithin is derived from sunflower seeds and acts as an emulsifier, ensuring that the chocolate chips have a smooth and consistent texture. It’s plant based and, therefore, vegan.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract adds a subtle flavor to Lily’s Chocolate Chips. Derived from the vanilla bean, it’s completely plant based and vegan.
Stevia extract
Stevia extract is a botanically sweetened, zero-calorie sweetener made from the leaves of the Stevia plant. It provides additional sweetness to the chips without any added sugar, making them a healthier choice.
Vegan Alternatives to Lily’s Chocolate Chips
If you’re looking for fully vegan options, there are numerous alternatives to Lily’s Chocolate Chips in your local grocery stores. Consider the following:
- Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Morsels: Free of dairy, these dark chocolate chips are also free of gluten, peanuts, and tree nuts.
- Pascha Organic Dark Chocolate Chips: Made with organic, fair trade certified ingredients, these are dairy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
- Equal Exchange Organic Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These are made with fair trade and organic ingredients, including vegan cane sugar.
Conclusion
While Lily’s Chocolate Chips offers a delicious taste and less sugar due to the inclusion of botanical sweeteners like stevia, the presence of milk fat and milk chocolate in certain varieties disqualifies them as fully vegan food brands.
However, they are considered cruelty-free because their animal-derived ingredients are generally sourced without causing harm to animals. The key is to always check labels for any animal products to maintain your vegan lifestyle.
Remember, there are several other vegan-friendly chocolate chip alternatives available on the market from various food brands. Choosing cruelty-free, vegan-friendly products is an excellent way to make a positive impact on the planet and its inhabitants. So continue your quest for conscious consumption and let your choices be a reflection of your values.