Is Sesame Sticks Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a snack is truly vegan, we have to look beyond the obvious and investigate the source of every component. For these Sesame Sticks, the ingredient list is surprisingly straightforward, lacking the hidden animal-derived additives often found in processed savory snacks.

The primary structural ingredient is unbleached enriched flour. This is simply wheat that has been stripped of its natural bran and germ for texture, then fortified with vitamins like niacin and iron. It is entirely plant-derived. The fat source is soybean oil, a vegetable oil that provides the necessary richness without using animal fats like lard or butter, which are common in other crackers.

Flavor comes from sesame seeds and bulgur wheat. Bulgur is a whole grain wheat product, adding a nutty, chewy element that complements the crunch of the seeds. For color and seasoning, the sticks use beet powder and turmeric. These are natural plant extracts used to give the snack its reddish-orange hue and earthy flavor profile, replacing artificial dyes or animal-based colorings like cochineal.

Nutritional Value

While these Sesame Sticks pass the vegan test, it is important to view them through a nutritional lens. Like many processed snacks, they are calorie-dense due to the soybean oil and refined flour. A standard serving can pack a significant amount of fat, though it is primarily unsaturated fat from the vegetable oil and sesame seeds, which is generally considered heart-healthier than saturated fat.

Regarding carbohydrates, the enriched flour and bulgur wheat provide quick energy, but they are digested rapidly compared to complex carbohydrates found in whole vegetables or legumes. The sodium content is moderate thanks to the added salt, so portion control is key if you are monitoring blood pressure. However, they are free of cholesterol and provide a small amount of protein from the wheat and sesame seeds.