10 Vegan Treats that Aren’t Cheats!

Although I’m still a fairly new vegan, I’ve got the basics down: no cheese, eggs, meats.

This new lifestyle means passing up on all those delicious chocolate bars and fresh baked cookies, which at times can be super difficult. Yearning for a sugar fix has fueled me to find substitute snacks.

To all my vegan friends out there, I’m happy to say I’ve discovered a hidden world of unintentionally vegan goodies.  I love kale as much as the next plant-based eater, but sometimes it’s necessary to indulge, yet still tray true to your diet.

Here are 5 tasty (and surprisingly) vegan snacks to spoil yourself:

1. Oreos: How exciting is it to find out Milk’s favorite cookie is vegan? While Oreos might have a creamy center, you won’t find an ounce of dairy in this cookie.
2. Swedish Fish: I had to do some “fishing” to find out if these delicious red candies met vegan standards, but turns out they do! Take a look at the ingredients list next time you snack on these little guys, no gelatin whatsoever.
3. Vienna Fingers: Keebler’s delicious cookie passes the test. This scrumptious treat is not a vegan cookie, it just happens to be a cookie that is vegan.
4. Unfrosted PopTarts: If you avoid the frosting, you’re in the clear. These breakfast delights are sure to satisfy your sweets craving.
5. Twizzlers: I was pleased to find this gummy candy is gelatin-free and landed on PETA’s accidentally vegan food list. 

Ok, ok. It’s nice to find out these processed treats are vegan, but I know we’d all rather snack locally.

Here are 5 of the best local, delightful vegan treats:

1. Chocolate Uber Chuck: Take a trip over to Vedge on Locust Street to try out this pretzel-peanut crust, malt custard, stout ice cream. Can you say yum?

2. Orange Cranberry Loaf with Orange Glaze: Sweet freedom bakery is not only the place where you’ll find this mouthwatering necessity, but Philadelphia’s first and only vegan, gluten-free and allergy-friendly bakery!
3. The Five Dollar Shake: Take your pick from Chocolate, Vanilla or Orangesicle. You’ll find these vegans shakes at one of my favorite Philly hot-spots, HipCityVeg
4. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pie: The Vegan Commission is home to an array of plant based foods, and enchanting deserts. Head over to South Street for a pie with two of my favorite things, chocolate and peanut butter. Don’t tell me your mouth isn’t watering just thinking about them.
5. Vegan French Toast: Who doesn’t love to start off their day with a little French toast? Green Eggs Cafe is famous for their golden wheat bread dipped in a soy based batter topped with your choice of fruit and/or non-dairy whipped cream.

To my fellow vegan & vegetarians out there, where is your favorite place to eat local treats in the city?