Vegan-Friendly Diet 7 Up: What Vegans Need To Know

Is your go-to drink vegan? 7Up, the lemon-lime-flavoured soft drink, is suitable for vegans. The drink is made from filtered carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, potassium citrate, natural flavours, and calcium disodium EDTA. There are no animal products in 7Up, and it is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. However, the natural flavours in 7Up are ambiguous, and stricter vegans may avoid it.

Diet 7 Up is vegan-friendly, but is it healthy?

The entire 7UP range is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The drink is made with water, sugar, carbonated water, and natural flavors. There are no animal products in 7UP, and it does not contain any animal derivatives. However, it is important to note that the natural flavors in 7UP can be made from both animal and plant sources, and the company has not disclosed the sources they use. As a result, stricter vegans may choose to avoid 7UP due to the potential presence of animal-based ingredients.

While 7UP is vegan-friendly, it is not the healthiest beverage option. The sugar content per serving is 38 grams, which exceeds the daily intake recommended by the American Heart Association. Consuming too much sugar can increase the risk of developing health issues such as diabetes and obesity. Therefore, it is advisable to consume 7UP in moderation, especially if you are following a vegan diet, which is typically geared towards health and wellness.

Fortunately, there is a zero-sugar variation of 7UP that contains no sugar or calories. This can be a better option for those who want to enjoy a vegan-friendly fizzy drink without the high sugar content. Additionally, the owner of the 7UP brand, Keurig Dr. Pepper, has committed to making their packages 100% recyclable and compostable by 2025, demonstrating a positive step towards environmental sustainability.

In conclusion, while Diet 7 Up is vegan-friendly, it is important to consider the overall health implications of consuming sugary drinks. The high sugar content in 7UP can contribute to health risks, so it is recommended to consume it sparingly or opt for the zero-sugar variation. As always, maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for overall health and well-being.

What other drinks are vegan?

The entire 7UP range is vegan-friendly, including the original lemon-lime, cherry-flavored, and lemon-lime zero sugar varieties. This is because 7UP does not contain any animal-sourced ingredients. However, it is worth noting that 7UP has a high sugar content, and stricter vegans may avoid it due to its "natural flavors" ingredient, which could be derived from animal products.

There are many other vegan-friendly drinks available, including:

• Coke Classic, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and Coke Vanilla
• Fanta Orange, Fanta Jelly Fizz, and Fanta Passionfruit Cream
• Sprite (although its "`natural flavors` are vague")
• Dr. Pepper
• Root beer (as long as the natural and artificial flavors are plant-based)
• Classic Pepsi and Pepsi Max
• Iced tea
• Seltzer
• Fruit juice
• Chai tea
• Hot chocolate mixes
• Teas
• Smoothies
• Energy drinks
• Cider

It is important to note that while most sodas are vegan, some may contain animal-based ingredients such as gelatin, glycerol derived from animals, cochineal (a food dye made from crushed bugs), ester gum, honey, and artificial flavors sourced from animal-based products. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the ingredients of a beverage before consuming it to ensure it aligns with your dietary needs.

What ingredients make a drink non-vegan?

Many drinks contain ingredients that are derived from animal products. These non-vegan ingredients can be found in sodas, juices, sports drinks, and even vitamin supplements.

One of the most common non-vegan ingredients in drinks is gelatin, which is made from the connective tissues, skin, and bones of various animal species, mainly cattle and pigs. Gelatin is often found in fruit gums, licorice, marshmallows, and candy. Another common non-vegan ingredient is albumen, which is the clear liquid found within an egg. Albumen is often used in drinks, bread, pastries, and sauces. Beeswax is also a common non-vegan ingredient, as it is produced by honey bees and is often used as a glazing agent for fruits and food supplements.

Some other non-vegan ingredients to look out for include butterfat, which is clarified or refined butter; ghee, which is clarified butter commonly used in Indian and Pakistani cuisine; honey, which is produced by bees; and vitamin D3, which is derived from lamb's wool and is often added to fortified foods and drinks.

Additionally, some drinks may contain casein, the main protein in milk, which is often used as a binding agent; lactose, a sugar present in milk; or lactic acid, which can be derived from animal or vegan sources.

It's important to note that some ingredients can be derived from either plant or animal sources, such as l-cysteine, which can be plant-derived but may also be made from human hair or bird feathers.

When in doubt, it's always best to check the ingredient list and do some research on the specific ingredients to ensure that your drink of choice aligns with your dietary needs and ethical standards.

Why is knowing what's in your drink important?

Whether you follow a vegan diet or not, it is important to know what is in your drink. This is because what you consume can have a direct impact on your health and well-being. For example, a diet rich in sugar can expose you to the risk of developing diabetes and obesity. Therefore, it is good practice to be mindful of the sugar content in your drinks and to consume sugary drinks sparingly.

In addition, knowing what is in your drink is important from an ethical standpoint. For instance, if you follow a vegan lifestyle, you will want to avoid consuming any animal products. While most sodas are vegan-friendly, some contain ingredients such as cochineal, a red food dye obtained from insects, or ester gum, a stabilizer often derived from animal-based sources.

Some companies, such as PepsiCo, are not always transparent about the ingredients in their drinks, which can make it difficult for consumers to make informed choices. For example, Diet Pepsi is not suitable for vegans due to traces of undisclosed ingredients that are not suitable for a vegan diet. This lack of transparency can be frustrating for those following a vegan diet and can make it challenging to trust certain companies and their products.

Furthermore, knowing what is in your drink can help you make more sustainable choices. For instance, Keurig Dr. Pepper, the owner of the 7UP brand, has committed to making their packaging 100% recyclable and compostable by 2025 and to sending zero waste to landfills by the same year. By choosing drinks from companies with sustainable practices, you can contribute to addressing issues such as climate change.

Finally, being aware of the ingredients in your drink can help you avoid potential allergens or ingredients that may cause adverse reactions. For example, some people may have allergies to specific animal products, such as dairy or eggs, and need to know exactly what is in their food and drink to avoid a medical reaction.

In conclusion, knowing what is in your drink is important for maintaining your health and well-being, making informed ethical choices, supporting sustainable practices, and avoiding potential allergens or adverse reactions.

What other vegan-friendly products are there?

There are plenty of vegan-friendly products on the market, from food and drink to household and beauty products.

Food and Drink

Some popular soft drinks are vegan-friendly, including Coke Classic, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Powerade, and Dr Pepper. In addition, some snacks and treats are vegan-friendly, such as Oreos, Ritz Crackers, and Pringles (Original, Wavy Classic Salted, Lightly Salted Original, and Reduced Fat Original).

Some surprising vegan-friendly foods include:

• Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
• Taco Bell Bean Burrito (without cheese)
• Ghirardelli Premium Hot Cocoa
• Lay’s Barbecue Flavored Chips
• Lotus Biscoff Cookies
• Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Frosting
• Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix
• Smucker’s Marshmallow Ice Cream Topping
• Thomas’s New York Style Bagels
• Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars
• Nabisco Original Graham Crackers
• Krispy Kreme Fruit Pies
• Super Pretzel Baked Soft Pretzel
• Chocolate Chip Teddy Grahams
• Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix

Household and Beauty Products

Some examples of vegan-friendly household and beauty products include:

• Vegan cleaning products
• Laundry detergents
• All-purpose cleaners
• Fabric softeners
• Dish soap and dishwasher detergent
• Shaving cream
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Dryer sheets
• Laundry detergents
• Hair brushes
• Lipstick
• Bronzers
• Makeup remover
• Contour kits
• Hair gel
• Hairspray
• Perfume

Frequently asked questions