Is Dżem truskawkowy Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a product like Dżem truskawkowy fits a vegan lifestyle, we need to look beyond the fruit. The primary ingredients listed are Truskawki (40%), cukier (sugar), woda (water), pektyny (pectin), guma guar (guar gum), and kwas cytrynowy (citric acid).

The most critical ingredient to check in any jam is the gelling agent. Many traditional jellies use gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen (usually pork skins or cattle bones). However, this specific recipe uses pektyny. Pectin is a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fruits and vegetables. It is entirely plant-derived, making it the gold standard for vegan jams.

Similarly, guma guar is a thickener extracted from guar beans, and kwas cytrynowy is an organic acid found naturally in citrus fruits. There are no hidden animal-derived additives like cochineal (coloring) or dairy derivatives in this ingredient list.

Nutritional Value

While Dżem truskawkowy passes the vegan test, it is important to consider its nutritional profile. The main ingredients are fruit and sugar. In fact, sugar often makes up a significant portion of the total weight, even if the fruit is listed at 40%.

Because of the high sugar content and the processing required to turn fruit into jam, this product is high in carbohydrates and calories, while being very low in fat and protein. It fits into a vegan diet, but if you are following a strict whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diet, this would be considered a treat rather than a staple due to the refined sugar. It is, however, naturally fat-free.