Is Dino Veggie Tots Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I always look past the marketing on the front of the box to the ingredient list on the back. The name "Veggie Tots" implies a product made primarily from vegetables, but the ingredient list tells a different story about the food matrix and structure of this product.

The first ingredient is broccoli, which is promising. However, it is immediately followed by enriched flour and brown rice flour. This indicates that the structural bulk of the tot is actually a flour-based batter, with the broccoli acting more as an inclusion or filler rather than the primary component. To bind this flour mixture together, the manufacturer uses egg whites. Eggs are a classic binding agent in processed foods, but they are strictly off-limits for vegans.

The dealbreaker for strict vegans, however, is the cheddar cheese. The ingredients list specifies "cultured milk, salt, enzymes, annatto (color)." This is a standard dairy cheese formulation. Additionally, the list includes nonfat milk and soy flour. While soy is vegan, the presence of milk derivatives means the product is cross-contaminated with animal products. Finally, the natural flavors are a vague term that can sometimes hide animal-derived compounds, though in this context, given the cheese presence, it is likely used to enhance savory notes.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Dino Veggie Tots are a mixed bag. They provide a sneaky way to get some broccoli into a picky eater's diet, but they are far from a "health food." The primary caloric source comes from enriched flour and soybean oil, meaning these are essentially fried starch bites with a vegetable garnish.

One serving contains a moderate amount of fat and calories, largely due to the frying process required to get them crispy. The sugar content is relatively low, which is a plus, but the sodium content can be significant due to the cheese and salt. If you are watching your sodium intake or trying to reduce processed carbohydrates, these should be consumed in moderation. They are a convenient snack, but they do not replace a serving of fresh steamed vegetables.