by In 2023 you can find a vegan alternative for almost everything.
There are vegan cheeses, vegan meats, and even vegan eggs. So, it should come as no surprise that when it comes to finding a gift for a vegan friend, one of the most popular options is vegan chocolate.
This treat has come a long way in the last ten years, and now, it is hardly distinguishable from regular milk chocolate, with more and more people making the switch from regular chocolate to vegan chocolate. So, if this is something you want to consider, or you need a reason to do it, read on, as this article will explore the key reasons why it is worth making the switch from regular chocolate to vegan this year.
Animal Welfare
Almost all chocolate contains dairy products which a vegan individual will link to animal suffering through its link to factory farming. If you are somebody who cares very much about animal welfare, then making the switch to vegan chocolate in 2023 can help ease your conscience that your purchases are not being linked to it. Vegan chocolate gifts and vegan chocolate bars that you can buy in supermarkets are usually made from sustainable ingredients such as oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.
Health
OK, so chocolate is not the worst thing in the world to consume, but vegan chocolate tends to have lower saturated fats compared to traditional milk chocolates. Why? Well, it doesn’t contain any dairy, and it is also usually free from additives as well as artificial ingredients that are present in many regular chocolate products. This can be beneficial for people who need to reduce their saturated fat intake or avoid allergens that can come from the additives found in typical milk chocolates.
Environmental
Dairy-based chocolate requires the use of cows or goats, which has been found to have a significant environmental footprint due to land use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions that these animals create. Vegan chocolate has been found to have a lower environmental impact, as it doesn’t rely on animal agriculture, and it certainly does not create as much greenhouse gas when it is being created!
Lactose Intolerance
Many people are not aware that they have lactose intoleranceor some variation of it. In actuality, it is one of the most prevalent intolerances in the world, with people who have strong European lineages being the most immune to it. So, if you find that you get stomach cramps, a runny nose, mouth ulcers, or gas after eating chocolate, it may be worth exploring switching to vegan chocolate to see if the underlying culprit is lactose, which will be beneficial for your health.
Variety
There is now a greater range of vegan chocolate than there ever has been, meaning that an average trip to a supermarket will yield an array of different options, from caramel milk-based bars to white chocolates or even chocolates that have been mixed with fruit, usually in the form of Easter eggs. So, if you have concerns about switching to vegan chocolate will be boring, think again, as there are many flavors to try!
