Vegan food is highly processed.
THE VEGAN HAS ENTERED THE CHAT.
A lentil would like to be left out of this.
Some vegan foods are highly processed. So are hot dogs, chicken nuggets and most of the snack aisle. Plenty of vegan food is just beans, rice, vegetables, fruit, nuts and grains. “Processed” also covers a lot. Cooking is processing. So is making tofu or adding vitamins to cereal. That’s not the same as a bag of chips. Fortified foods are actually one of the best ways vegans get B12 and calcium. It’s fair to compare the label on a specific fake burger. It’s not fair to treat that burger as if it represents every vegan meal.
THE KEY DISTINCTION
Judge the food, not the “vegan” sticker.
SHOW ME THE RECEIPTS
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements · 2024
B12 functions, deficiency risks, fortified foods and supplementation. This is a living reference.
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements · 2024
Calcium sources and differences in absorption. This is a living reference.
NIH · MedlinePlus · 2025
Explains essential amino acids and protein from plant foods; individual requirements still vary.
Evidence and reasoning reviewed 2026-10-14. Philosophical sources clarify reasoning; they do not scientifically settle moral values.