Nutella, the popular hazelnut spread, is one of the most beloved condiments in the world. It is often used as a topping for toast or waffles, or as an ingredient in desserts. However, many vegans may be wondering if Nutella is suitable for a vegan diet. The answer is, unfortunately, no. Although Nutella does not contain any animal products, it does contain several non-vegan ingredients, making it unsuitable for vegans.

What is Nutella?

Nutella is a brand of hazelnut spread manufactured by the Italian company Ferrero. It was first created in the 1940s by Pietro Ferrero, who wanted to create a spreadable version of his family’s traditional hazelnut-based dessert. The spread quickly became popular in Europe and eventually spread around the world. Today, it is one of the most popular spreads in the world.

Ingredients in Nutella

The main ingredient in Nutella is hazelnuts. It also contains sugar, Palm Oil, cocoa, skim milk, whey, lecithin, and vanillin.

Non-Vegan Ingredients in Nutella

Unfortunately, Nutella does contain several non-vegan ingredients. The two main non-vegan ingredients are skim milk and whey. Skim milk is a dairy product derived from cow’s milk, and whey is a byproduct of cheese-making. Both of these ingredients are derived from animals, making them unsuitable for vegans.

In addition to these two ingredients, Nutella also contains palm oil. This is not necessarily a non-vegan ingredient, but it is important to note that the production of palm oil has been linked to deforestation, habitat destruction, and animal cruelty. For this reason, many vegans choose to avoid products that contain palm oil.

Vegan Alternatives to Nutella

Although Nutella is not suitable for vegans, there are several vegan alternatives that are just as delicious. They are:

1. Nocciolata Dairy Free: This vegan alternative to Nutella is made with a blend of cocoa, hazelnuts, and rice syrup. It is free from dairy, gluten, and palm oil, and is certified vegan.

2. Biona Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: This vegan alternative to Nutella is made with organic ingredients including cocoa, hazelnuts, and agave syrup. It is free from dairy, gluten, and palm oil, and is certified vegan.

3. Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter: This vegan alternative to Nutella is made with a blend of cocoa, hazelnuts, and organic evaporated cane syrup. It is free from dairy, gluten, and palm oil, and is certified vegan.

4. Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams: This vegan alternative to Nutella is made with a blend of cocoa, hazelnuts, and organic evaporated cane syrup. It is free from dairy, gluten, and palm oil, and is certified vegan.

5. Nutiva Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: This vegan alternative to Nutella is made with a blend of cocoa, hazelnuts, and organic evaporated cane syrup. It is free from dairy, gluten, and palm oil, and is certified vegan.

6. Once Again Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: This vegan alternative to Nutella is made with a blend of cocoa, hazelnuts, and organic evaporated cane syrup. It is free from dairy, gluten, and palm oil, and is certified vegan.

7. Trader Joe’s Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: This vegan alternative to Nutella is made with a blend of cocoa, hazelnuts, and organic evaporated cane syrup. It is free from dairy, gluten, and palm oil, and is certified vegan.

8. Carley’s Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: This vegan alternative to Nutella is made with a blend of cocoa, hazelnuts, and organic evaporated cane syrup. It is free from dairy, gluten, and palm oil, and is certified vegan.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Nutella is not suitable for vegans due to its non-vegan ingredients. However, there are several vegan alternatives that are just as delicious. If you are looking for a vegan-friendly hazelnut spread, be sure to check the ingredients list to make sure it does not contain any animal products.

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