Namaste all!

Here in the west, we should be 100% absolutely sure of what one eats...no random snacks are possible. Even when I quit eating outside, they followed me home.

I wanted to compile a list of vegetarian foods that has non vegetarian contents. I do see some senior members having contributed here and there but couldn't pull up a thread for this (or is there one?). Help me become 100% vegetarian ! Non vegetarians are also requested to post here..this is not a discussion on morality or karma but knowing what you eat.

Please note that this a list of items which are not obvious non vegetarian.

CHEESE

Every Hindu/Vegetarian/Vegan should know by now that most cheese out there has rennett, that is extracted from the intestine of a calf. Surprising most still do not!

Today I bought my first "vegetarian" cheese in whole foods. I could only manage to get shredded veg cheese. Organic cheese are not necessarily vegetarian...though this means cows were not injected with hormones. Any other stores I should try in US?

Is sour cream veggie?

Gelatin,Lard

These are obvious. Any product having them are a No-No. Including mexican restaurant refried/pinto beans, some tortillas etc.

OMEGA-3

The most popular source of this one is fish. So whatever you buy, be it a juice or oil, with a "omega-3 label" has this. Alternatives of OMEGA-3 is a capsule extraced from algae, flax seeds, walnuts.

White Sugar!!!

I need some serious help in this. Apparently sugar is so white because it is refined with bone char. The possible alternate is unrefined sugar or beet sugar.

Other than this there are products that use animal hair, bird feathers...atleast I have classified them in the lower priority list to be rid of.

"Ignorance is bliss" is definitely not supported in the Vedas!