Healthy eating has become something of an elusive dream in recent years. Just as you think you’ve attained it, a new trend drops in front of you to provide yet another step in what is already a mighty long road.
Vegan food options have become one such fashionable choice. Reduced amounts of saturated fats, a better source of vitamins and nutrients, and supporting a low-Cholesterol diet are just three examples commonly quoted, however, for celiacs, choosing gluten-free products isn’t just a lifestyle choice but a necessity.
Despite this growing movement, surprisingly few people know about vegan chocolate. Of those who do, many dismiss it out of hand with little thought given. But it does exist, it is readily available and, furthermore, it provides a healthy, guilt-free alternative to many people’s favorite temptation.
Gluten-Free Chocolate?
For Vegans, there are problems with regular chocolate on two fronts. Milk is the most obvious but sugar too is a major issue. Because most commercial white sugar is produced using a method which involves animal bones, anyone who is a strict vegan can’t use it.
Without milk and sugar, two of the three main ingredients are missing from chocolate. This also goes some way to explaining why vegan chocolate contains at least half as many calories as the regular version.
There are many more gluten-free options available then you may realize though. Any organic chocolate which does not contain milk or milk fat will be suitable. Furthermore, food advertised as being pareve, a Jewish term for being milk and meat-free, will be 100% guaranteed safe to eat for a celiac.
There are many recipes commonly used to make these products. Substituting animal milk for a soy, almond, coconut or other alternative milk alternative is one way they can differ, while sugars too are available in a wide range of forms.
As a result, gluten-free chocolate comes with a much wider variety of tastes than regular chocolate brands. Sweetened with anything from, maple syrup, coconut blossom, agave nectar, or dates to name just four, each has their own subtle and unique flavor profile.
There are products such as Pana chocolate which is similar to the taste of milk chocolate. But why waste your time sticking to only one flavor when there are so many to discover and experiment with.
An Expensive Delicacy
The biggest downside to vegan truffles is the price. Buying vegan chocolate truffles will almost certainly cost more than their regular-chocolate truffle equivalent. However, the best way around this is to make your own, something which is not as tricky as you may imagine.
With all of the ingredients and a little refinement in your technique, it will take no more than 15 minutes to make a batch from scratch.
There are many recipes to be found online or you could spend a day in the company of experts to pick up some trade secrets if you’re really serious about wanting to brush up your skills.
After tasting the possibilities for myself, vegan truffles are certainly not something to dismiss without first trying. And when it comes to vegan truffles and calories, more is still most definitely less so what’s not to love? Click here for more intriguing vegan recipes.