5 Foods Most People Don’t Know are Vegan

Veganism is growing in popularity every day. The benefits of this way of life are many and far-reaching, and the number of people who have decided to embrace it are increasing each year. This is good news for the animals, obviously, but it’s also wonderful news for people who are struggling with health issues or trying to lose weight. A vegan diet is a diet that excludes all animal products. It is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. A follower of either the diet or the philosophy is known as a vegan. To many people, veganism seems like this huge sacrifice, but it doesn't have to be. There are so many foods and easy vegan recipes to eat that are naturally vegan – you just have to know what they are.

Being vegan is about so much more than only eating foods that don't come from animals, such as fruits, vegetables and grains. It's also about avoiding animal products in their more disguised forms: milk, cheese, eggs and honey. A lot of people are surprised to hear that many foods they consume daily are actually vegan.

Hoisin sauce (pronounced "who-sin") is a thick, dark and sticky sauce made from fermented soybeans, garlic, vinegar, chilies and spices. It's most often used as a glaze on roasted duck or pork dishes, but it also makes an excellent marinade for stir-fried tofu. Hoisin can be found at any major grocery store in the Asian food aisle. This thick, sweet and spicy sauce made from soybeans is commonly used in Chinese cooking, but can be incorporated into dishes of all kinds to give them an Asian flair.

Most people don’t know that hoisin sauce is made from beans, rather than meat or fish. So when you have a craving for Chinese food, feel free to indulge! Hoisin sauce contains no animal products and goes well with vegetables such as broccoli, bok choy and mushrooms.

While veggie dogs aren't commonly found at grocery stores they're easy to find at most convenience stores where they're frequently on sale. They're great with sauerkraut, onions and mustard and make an excellent alternative to the real thing. This is perhaps one of the most obvious items on this list, but many people do not realize that veggie dogs contain no actual meat at all. Instead, these delicious hot dogs use a combination of tofu and wheat gluten to create a similar texture and taste as meat hot dogs without using any animal products whatsoever.

If you have a craving for a hot dog but don't want to eat meat, look no further than veggie dogs. These protein-packed sausages are made with soy protein, which is loaded with essential amino acids.

Smoothies can be a great way to get your daily amount of fruits and vegetables as long as you use a wide variety of ingredients and don't rely on sugary fruit juices for flavor.

If you're a fan of pulled pork sandwiches, you'll be happy to know that you can get the same texture and taste from jackfruit. It's also an excellent meat substitute for veggie burgers and other faux meat dishes. It has a mild flavor similar to artichokes, so it works well with bolder flavors like barbecue sauce and hot peppers.

It’s easy to forget that certain foods are vegan, especially if you’re a new vegan or have been living on the same old standbys. Jackfruit grows on trees in tropical climates, which means it isn’t always easy to find in grocery stores. But those who have tried this fruit rave about its meat-like texture when cooked — many say it tastes like pulled pork! Jackfruit is also relatively low in calories and high in nutrients like calcium and magnesium.

Normally made from wheat gluten, seitan is a meat substitute that's high in protein. It's also versatile enough to be used in nearly any recipe that calls for meat. This is wheat gluten that's been pressed into a "steak-like" shape and then baked or cooked in broth until it absorbs the flavor. It has a relatively chewy texture and makes an excellent substitute for beef steak or chicken breast in recipes.

Seitan (pronounced say-tan) is particularly popular in Asian vegan cuisine. It is also an excellent source of amino acids and can be used to supplement vegan diets. It's dense, chewy, and super tasty when fried or baked with herbs, spices, and vegetables. White seitan is the most popular variety.