Is 21 Whole Grains And Seeds Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, the ingredient list for 21 Whole Grains And Seeds is impressive. It is built on a foundation of organic whole wheat, organic whole wheat flour, and organic cracked whole wheat. These provide the structure and fiber. The mix of seeds is robust, featuring organic whole flax seeds, organic sunflower seeds, and organic pumpkin seeds. These are excellent sources of healthy fats and omega-3s.

However, the vegan verdict hinges on the sweetener: organic cane sugar. In the United States, conventional (and sometimes organic) cane sugar is often processed using bone char—charred animal bones—to filter and bleach the sugar to make it white. While the sugar in this bread is organic, strict vegans often avoid cane sugar unless it is explicitly labeled as "unrefined" or "beet sugar," as organic standards do not necessarily prohibit bone char processing in all supply chains.

Other ingredients like organic wheat gluten and organic cultured wheat flour are 100% plant-derived. The enzymes used are typically fungal or bacterial-based, which are vegan-friendly. The acidity comes from organic vinegar, which is safe. Therefore, the sugar is the only potential dealbreaker.

Nutritional Value

Nutritionally, this bread is a heavy hitter. The blend of organic quinoa, organic amaranth flour, and organic buckwheat flour creates a complete protein profile. A single slice generally offers a significant amount of fiber, which aids in digestion and satiety. Regarding the sugar content, the amount of organic cane sugar and organic molasses is relatively low compared to white breads, but it is not sugar-free. For those monitoring their glycemic index, the combination of whole grains helps mitigate blood sugar spikes, but the sugar is still present. It fits well within a balanced diet focused on whole foods.