My vegan son came home from school and told me when they did a good job and answered questions right in front of the class, they would get rewarded with a treat. He said "I did a good job and answered a question right, but I didn't take a treat because it wasn't vegan". I felt proud that he showed self controle and didn't eat a treat that he had earned, but felt bad that he missed out and stood out as being different or weird to his fellow 1st graders. So I searched the snack aisle for some vegan treats I could send to school with him, I was looking for something sealed, small proportions, and something that would show his classmates and teachers that vegans don't only snack on carrots and celery.
I found this Nabisco multi pack of cookies. The animal crackers weren't much of a surprise, but chocolate grahams that didn't contain honey or milk? Well that was surprise, as was the mini shortbread cookies which are traditionally made with a ton of butter. Are they healthy? No, but that's why I titled this post "junk food" because my kids eat pounds of fresh fruits and veggies every week, and deserve little treats every now and then, especially when everyone else in their class or soccer team is enjoying a snack.
Swedish Fish are one of the rare gummy treats that are vegan (along with sour patch kids and Dots). I get the kids a bag after they've tolerated a day long trip to my favorite maze, Ikea.
Skittles weren't always vegan in the US, but have recently adopted a new, gelatin free recipe. I still check the bags for the clearly marked "no gelatin" label on them incase any old bags remained in storage and found their way to the shelf.
Oreos are the more well known vegan treats, I tend to get the much cheaper store brand cookies that also tend to be vegan (always check your labels) but knowing Oreos are vegan is always nice when you're on a road trip and only have gas stations and vending machines at your disposal.
I saved the best for last, the most amazing thing I've discovered to be vegan is not only very tasty, a rare find, but super inexpensive, it's a
VEGAN CHOCOLATE BAR!!!
This is the dark chocolate bar from Ikea, and it's only $.99 (although it's always been on sale when we shop). I don't even like dark chocolate but these are delicious. I even have a non-vegan friend who uses this chocolate over others to melt into molds and make chocolate pops out of.
