everything vegan in Australia
This Saturday the Cairns Convention Centre will host a bull riding competition – subjecting animals to an unfamiliar, unnatural and uncomfortable environment in the name of entertainment. Why is bull riding cruel? As a sport that seemingly symbolizes courage and skill, bull riding has historically […]
From the archives – this is the Everyday Vegan Mum Podcast episode 16 with Kristy Alger from 2019. The Everyday Vegan Mum Podcast ran for 26 episodes during 2018 – 2020 where I had the privilege of interviewing inspiring vegans across Australia and New Zealand […]
This weekend I am holding a vegan outreach stall at the annual Cairns Ecofiesta – a sustainability festival here in Far North Queensland. It’s hard not to talk about our food choices when contemplating the environment, climate change, and protecting our planet, as animal agriculture has a devastating effect globally. I am vegan for the animals, but if you are an environmentalist then making the switch to a vegan diet is one thing you can do personally that will make a huge difference.
Australia, known for its stunning landscapes and unique wildlife, faces its share of environmental challenges. As individuals, we have the power to make a difference. One impactful choice we can make is embracing veganism. In this blog post, we will explore why veganism is particularly beneficial for the environment in Australia, from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to protecting fragile ecosystems and biodiversity.
Australia is no stranger to the effects of climate change, with rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increased bushfire risks. Animal agriculture significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating these climate challenges. By adopting a vegan lifestyle, Australians can make a substantial impact on reducing their carbon footprint and working towards a more sustainable future. Read here for why you can’t be a meat eating environmentalist.
Water scarcity is a pressing concern in Australia, with some regions experiencing severe droughts. Animal agriculture is a water-intensive industry, requiring significant amounts of water for livestock hydration, crop irrigation, and processing. By choosing plant-based alternatives, Australians can conserve water resources, helping to alleviate the strain on local water supplies and ensure a more sustainable water future. Read on to see how much water you can save by being vegan.
Australia’s unique ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef, ancient rainforests, and diverse wildlife habitats, are under threat. Animal agriculture requires vast areas of land for grazing and growing feed crops, leading to deforestation and habitat loss. By embracing veganism, Australians can contribute to the preservation of these ecosystems by reducing the demand for animal farming and supporting land conservation efforts. Read more on how animal agriculture is devastating the Great Barrier Reef.
Australia is surrounded by stunning coastlines and rich marine biodiversity. Overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices put immense pressure on ocean ecosystems, disrupting delicate food chains and endangering marine species. Opting for plant-based seafood alternatives or eliminating seafood consumption altogether helps reduce the demand for unsustainable fishing practices and supports marine conservation efforts. If you want to learn more about the effects of fishing on our oceans don’t miss the documentary Seaspiracy.
Australia has a rich Indigenous cultural heritage, which often emphasizes respect for nature and the environment. Veganism aligns with many Indigenous philosophies of sustainable living, honoring the interconnectedness between humans, animals, and the land. By embracing a plant-based lifestyle, Australians can demonstrate their respect for Indigenous knowledge and contribute to a more harmonious relationship with the environment. This is an excellent article on First Nation’s food wisdom in Australia.
Australia’s vast agricultural lands are a valuable resource. By shifting towards plant-based agriculture, Australia can optimize resource allocation and promote more sustainable farming practices. Plant-based farming requires fewer resources, such as land and water, and reduces the need for chemical inputs, helping to protect soil health and preserve the integrity of the Australian landscape. You can find out more on how Australia can move to a vegan agricultural system here.
In Australia, veganism offers a promising path towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water resources, protecting land and biodiversity, supporting marine conservation, respecting Indigenous values, and promoting sustainable agriculture, Australians can contribute to safeguarding the country’s natural beauty and diverse ecosystems. Embracing veganism is a powerful way for individuals to make a positive impact and collectively work towards a more sustainable and resilient Australia.
If you’re visiting Tropical North Queensland check out our guide to the best vegan restaurants in Cairns.
If you find yourself in Tropical North Queensland you’re in for a treat – from the best bahn mi to delicious donuts and tasty tapas we’ve got you covered with our list of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in and around Cairns. Breakfast/Lunch Snoogies Health Bar […]
We are on the search for the best vegan wine in Australia! You may be surprised to learn that wine isn’t naturally vegan being made from grapes, yet many Australian wines use animal products in their production processes. In Australia winemakers are allowed to have […]
Australian brand Modibodi have long been a favourite of mine, so I was delighted to hear that they have launched a full range of vegan period underwear, swimwear and activewear.
If you haven’t heard of it before, period underwear is a revolutionary concept to keep sanitary items out of landfill and offer an alternative to the current unsustainable options available to women. Designed to replace the need for single use tampons and pads (which are generally full of plastic and chemicals and end up in landfill or in our oceans and beaches) period underwear is reuseable, sustainable and now cruelty-free.
Back in 2011 the founder of Modibodi designed and created the patented Modifier Technology™ leak-proof undies, which combine three layers of protection for all different kinds of flow. Unfortuanately up until now the technology included the use of Merino Wool with no alternatives.
Sheep are incredibly intelligent, gentle beings who are treated like wool-making machines due to our current social demand for their fleece. In Australia, where over 50% of global Merino wool originates, the welfare of sheep on farms is extremely low. A practise call ‘Mulesing‘ is widespread (and somehow still legal) where huge chunks of flesh are cut off without anaesthetic or pain relief. ‘Surplus’ and unwanted sheep from the industry are sold to the Middle East and subjected to the horrors of live export, all beacuse of our need for bedding, carpets and clothing which now have exceptional quality alternatives. Thankfully Modibodi have now adopted these alternatives into their products, and use bamboo and man-made materials for their vegan period underwear range.
I first discovered Modibodi a few years ago after the birth of our first son (and the beginnings of the end of my pelvic floor!) after a friend recommended their activewear for extra protection while exercising. My first pair lasted for 3 years before being retired, and since I had gone vegan in this time I was unwilling to replace them until there was a cruelty-free alternative. I was so pleased to hear that Modibodi had released a vegan version, and couldn’t wait to find out how they performed.
I received two pairs of the ‘Vegan Bikini’, one light-moderate absorbency and one heavy/overnight pair. I loved the packaging to start with – no plastic to be seen with minimal waste and labelling. The quality of the material felt great and really soft to touch, and I was surprised how lightweight they felt. One of my concerns, especially for the overnight pair, was that they would feel bulky and heavy, but they are actually super thin being only 3mm thick and the packaging told me they can hold up to 20ml of fluid.
Both pairs were really comfortable and gave full protection even overnight. They are super-simple to care for as well, they just need a rinse in cold water then a machine wash on a cold setting (doesn’t have to be done immediately) then line dry. Fabric softener and dryers are a no-no as they can reduce the absorbency of the material. I found that they took a little while to line dry so 2 pairs wasn’t enough, but Modibodi have a 7 day vegan period underwear mixed pack which would be perfect for the whole cycle.
The only negatives that I could find is that there isn’t yet much choice in the Vegan Collection – I’d love to see more colours, patterns and styles introduced. My only other criticism would be that the entire range isn’t yet vegan – I can’t fault the comfort, design or efficacy of the undies so it would be great to see Modibodi phase animal products out completely.
Thanks to Modibodi for supplying the vegan period underwear for this review.
You can find the full range of vegan period underwear here
Are you a vegan parent too? Connect with us and share your story over at The Everyday Vegan Mum podcast.
One of my friends is an amazing baker and knows how much help I need in the kitchen so she always sends me her simplest recipes! Here is a super quick and simple recipe for absolutely delicious vegan scones. It’s also a great one to […]
Going vegan is one of the best things to do for the planet. Mother Earth is in crisis, and we all need to do as much as possible to reverse the damage. I recently read a report from the United Nations that stated the meat […]
Have you ever heard the saying ‘Always trust a junk-food vegan? They’re in it for the animals.’ True story – and luckily there’s a LOT of vegan fast food out there, and all the big players have upped their game when it comes to providing plant-based options. Some are doing it better than others, below you’ll find a list of what’s good for vegans in fast-food restaurants across Australia.
Just a quick note before I get into the juicy stuff, I know there’s a debate whether, as vegans, we should be supporting these fast-food giants in any way. There’s no denying the huge scale devastation they are causing to the planet, the animals and our health. But they run on one premise – and that is profit. If the demand starts rising for plant-based alternatives and vegan fast-food then this will become a bigger focus for their venues. If a restaurant launches a new vegan burger and no-one buys it, it will disappear off the menu. I believe we need to support these options when they arise, to help build a vegan future.
I could go for a beyond meat burger and some oreos right now from r/vegan
There are quite a few cruelty-free options at Nando’s – they sent us this list of vegan-friendly food. All of their sauces and bastings are also vegan.
This is what KFC had to say, and the vegan fast food options available in their stores:
Please note that KFC does change product formulations from time to time, therefore the information above should be checked on a regular basis.
There is however the risk of cross contamination with utensils and potentially chips being cooked in same oil as popcorn chicken and nuggets
If you’re in Sydney did you know about the new VFC – Vegan Friend Chick’n store in Newtown? Below you can see their Chick’n Waffle Cone. Now THAT is vegan fast food at it’s finest!!
Unlike the other restaurants I contacted who simply told me what was vegan-friendly, Maccas sent me 4 pdf files to interpret. I reckon of all the fast food eateries, McDonalds would be the one to avoid (and not just because they made me read over 30 pages of additives and preservatives) You’d be forgiven for thinking that a burger bun with some chips inside might be a safe option at Maccas. You would, unfortunately, be wrong, as the buns contain Emulsifiers 471 and 472e which can be of animal origin. You’re fine with the chips, as long as you don’t mind shared fryers. The hash browns are also vegan-friendly. In lieu of any kind of substantial food availability, you can smother your deep fried potatoes in the animal-free sauce options: the ketchup, sweet & sour, and mustard are all good to go. Oh and there’s a garden salad, which they haven’t found a way to sneak hooves/bones/fat into (yet) In 2020 they released a McVeggie burger, but it isn’t even suitable for vegetarians never mind vegans.
If you’re looking for breakfast, the hotcakes are off the menu (containing eggs), although the hot cake syrup is vegan-friendly so you could drink that.
For dessert, you can have the McDonalds cookies, but they do contain lots of rainforest-destroying palm oil, so probably best avoided with an alternative. Which there isn’t. Unlike in Europe, where the apple pies are vegan-friendly, ours here in Australia contain whey powder from milk.
You could ask for a soft-serve ice cream cone without the ice-cream or flake, but the server might call security and ask you to leave. Which is probably the best idea.
Before you do head for the Golden Arches, a thought to keep in mind. Their fries contain the following ingredients – Potatoes, Canola Oil (Acidity Regulator (330)), Dextrose Monohydrate (Preservative ( 220)), Mineral Salt (450), Antifoam (Non-ionic polyalkylene glycol), Preservative ( 223).
A great rule of thumb is that if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, it’s probably not an ideal food to eat.
Mad Mex make it super easy to be vegan – everything on their menu can be veganised. You can also use their ‘nutritional calculator’ on this link, and filter by vegan choices. They also sent me this delicious looking menu. I’ll have one of each please.
Oporto currently have the following vegan fast food options:
· Avocado
· Hash Browns
· Vegan Patty
· Pineapple Slices
· Portuguese Salad
· Potato Bun
· Chips (including salt)
· Salad mixes – Shredded lettuce, dry slaw (Not coleslaw – egg in dressing), Tomato
· BBQ Sauce
· Extremo Picante
· Original Chilli Sauce
· Jalapeno and Lime Sauce
· Tomato Capsicum Relish
· Veggie Pattie
You can also order the Vegan Burger Meal, where the Vegan Burger and chips are vegan.
Grill’d have been doing some great things for vegans recently. Their CEO Simon Crowe has said that he hopes to have a 50% plant-based menu this time next year – you can read more here. Back in April they also hosted a national meat-free Monday campaign, where only plant-based foods were sold across their stores. Almost all of their current burgers can be made vegan thanks to their vegan cheese, vegan mayo and vegan pattie. Their Vegan Burger is called the Vegan Cheeseburger 2.0 but they also have Garden Goodness and brand new Beyond Burgers, which can all be made vegan on request.
Zambrero has lots of great vegan-friendly options clearly marked on their menu. They also had this to say – ” As our menu items can be customizable, the majority of our range is vegan-friendly. Not mentioned on our main menu is that we have vegan cheese and sour cream available as a substitute at a slightly higher cost.
Please note that our gluten-free black rice tortilla is not suitable for vegans.
Lots of options at Subway – here is their current vegan-friendly list:
For breads you can have:
For Proteins you can have:
And for Sauces you can have:
I love the Spicy Veg Trio, with vegan cheese, which only costs $7.95. Here is their full range:
I’ve never been to Pizza Capers – but after checking out their vegan options I’m now tempted. There’s a sweet chilli vegan calzone that has my name on it!
Hungry Jack’s has this to say: Our Vegan Range uses 100% quality vegan ingredients, including plant-based vegan cheese and mayo. With our new Vegan Brekky Muffins to start your day, to the available-all-day Vegan Cheeseburger – we welcome Vegans whenever, wherever.
I’ve had the vegan burger a few times on the go and I’m a fan. The thick cut fries are vegan too so you can have a full meal.
7- Eleven have just released some great vegan fast food options:
In 2020 Pie Face have finally caught up and released two vegan options – the Plant-Based Sausage Roll and the Vegan Mexi Pie.
I’ve saved the best for last. Oliver’s now have 26 locations in Australia, often found not far from the fast food giants. The founder and CEO Jason took the time to personally email me their list of vegan-friendly options (over 3 pages), and had the following to say:
“We are proud to have many Vegan options, my favourites are the Golden Rice Nuggets, and the Burrito Pita Pocket. At Oliver’s, we are about providing REAL Food for consumers on the highways of Australia, regardless of their preference or dietary requirement. “
Have I missed your favourite fast-food restaurant? Let me know in the comments and I’ll contact them and add them in. Please note – this information is all checked and correct at the time of publishing but things can change quickly, so if you’re unsure please check with the venue in advance. Thanks to Simplify Vegan for their brilliant list and tool to check vegan additives in foods.
The Cube of Truth is a form of street activism, born right here in Australia in 2016 with thousands of events now taking place globally each year. It consists of a group of activists holding TV screens or tablets, showing standard practices in the meat, […]