10 foods that vegans can't eat

Vegans, like vegetarians, never eat meat. But vegans are stricter, shunning not only meat, but fish and shellfish (which some vegetarians will eat), eggs, milk and other dairy products -- any food with an ingredient derived from an animal, from a cow down to an insect. (Insects? Yes. For example, cochineal, which makes many red food dyes red, has only recently been required to be listed on ingredient labels, but it's always been made from insects.)

Vegans and vegetarians have to take special care to get enough vitamin B12 and protein, but like anyone, they can get all the nutrients they need from a varied diet of plants and grains, according to nutritionist Marion Nestle.

"It's less about what 'foods' vegans can't eat and more about the ingredients," Michael Parrish Dudell, a blogger who often writes about vegan celebrities and managing editor of The Domino Project, told The Daily Green. He should know; as of this month, he's been eating a vegan diet for 10 years.

Here's a look at some more of the foods avoided by Dudell and other vegans The Daily Green interviewed

1. Meat. Topping the list, of course, are all meats -- from hamburgers and pork chops to chicken wings and the Thanksgiving turkey.

2. Fish and shellfish. Whether it's a lowly shrimp, a fried fish stick, or wild Alaskan salmon, it's not part of a vegan diet.

3. Dairy products. Off the vegan menu: everything from milk and yogurt to cheese and butter.

4. Eggs. That means mayonnaise and anything else made with eggs (yes, most brownies and cakes, too!).

5. Honey. Bees are animals. Bees make honey. Vegans don't eat it.

6. White sugar. Some white sugar is processed with bone char, according to PETA.

7. Most beer. Guinness is filtered using tiny amounts of gelatin derived from fish bladders. And it's not alone. While some beers are vegan, others are filtered using egg whites or sea shells, according to barnivore, a vegan beer and wine guide.

Guinness

8. Some breads. While many simple breads are a-OK, containing just four ingredients (flour, yeast, water, and salt) many breads and baked goods are made with whey (a dairy product) or with butter, eggs, or sugar.

9. Marshmallows. These and other foods, like gummy candies and Frosted Mini Wheats cereal, are made with gelatin -- a protein made from boiling skin, bones, and other animal parts. Surprisingly, though, a lot of junk food qualifies as vegan, even if it is unhealthy.

10. Salad dressing. Salads are great for vegans, but not necessarily the dressing. Scan the ingredient list, and you'll often find lecithin, which helps keep oil and vinegar from separating, and can be derived from animal tissues or egg yolk (both no-no's for vegans) or from soy (OK).

2 Forever foods new: 5 cooking staples that can outlast you

1. Honey
Whether you use it in your tea, on your toast or as an alternative sweetener, that jar of pure honey is good forever. It may get grainy or change color, but it's still safe to eat — and delicious — because its antibiotic properties keep it from spoiling.

You can help keep it fresh by storing it in a cool area, and you can improve the quality of crystallized honey by placing the jar in warm water and stirring it until the grainy parts dissolve.

2. Salt

The contents of your salt shaker will never spoil, regardless of whether it's basic table salt or sea salt. Simply store it in a cool, dry place and salt will keep indefinitely.

3. Corn syrup
If you come across a years-old bottle of corn syrup in your pantry, don't throw it out. This sweetener keeps indefinitely as long as you keep it sealed and store it in a cool, dry area.

4. Maple syrup
What good are pancakes or waffles without maple syrup? Luckily, this flavorful syrup will never spoil if you refrigerate it or freeze it. For long-term storage, seal it in an airtight plastic container and freeze it.

"The freezer is such a useful tool that can really save you money because there are very few foods that don't freeze well," says Janice Revell.

5. Distilled white vinegar
This wonder product can be used for everything, from making marinades and salad dressings to cleaning house and doing laundry. But the best thing about distilled white vinegar is that it lasts for years. Simply close it tightly after each use and store the bottle in a cool, dark place.

Forever foods: 4 cooking staples that can outlast you

Most weeks, you make a big grocery list and head to the store, prepared to buy loads of fresh food to make your family's meals. We often don't give a thought to stuff sitting in the kitchen cupboard or we automatically throw out anything that's been in there longer than we can remember.

But Janice Revell says "Look in your pantry and your cabinets and check whether the items really do need to go. You'll be shocked by what you really don't need to throw away."

So before you throw out that years-old sugar or replace that bottle of vanilla that's been gathering dust, consult this list of "forever foods." You may be surprised how many of your kitchen staples have a shelf life of decades — even after they've been opened.

1. Sugar
Regardless of whether your sugar is white, brown, or powdered, it will never spoil because it doesn't support bacterial growth.

The challenge with sugar is to keep it from hardening into chunks. To keep sugar fresh, store it in an airtight container or seal it in a plastic bag. If your brown sugar is more like a brown rock, you can revive it with just a minute in the microwave on low heat.

2. Pure vanilla extract
If you have pure vanilla extract in the back of the cupboard, there's no need to throw it out because it lasts forever. It may be more expensive than its imitation counterpart, but its shelf life certainly outweighs the extra cost.

Keep that vanilla flavor at its best by sealing the botttle after each use and storing it in a cool, dark place.

3. Rice
White, wild, jasmine, arborio and basmati rice all keep forever so there's no need to throw them out. Brown rice is the one exception because it has a higher oil content so store it in the refrigerator or freeze it to maximize its shelf life. Once you've opened a bag or box of rice, move it to an airtight container or resealable freezer bag to keep it fresh.

4. Corn starch
You can thicken gravies and sauces for years with just one box of corn starch because it keeps indefinitely. Store this kitchen staple in a cool, dry area and be sure to reseal it tightly after each use.

Foods that make you happy

Think "happy foods," and sugary treats such as candy, cake, and cookies often come to mind. Not only do these foods taste good but, for most people, they also have positive psychological associations with fun occasions, such as a birthday party or a holiday celebration.

Happy Food

Loading up on sugar and highly processed carbohydrates (like products made from white flour) does provide a quick energy spike, because sugars and refined carbs are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream. Unfortunately, that high is usually followed by a crash leaving one even more moody and fatigued.

The good news is there are many healthy and delicious choices that do boost one's mood while also providing sustained energy.

Oatmeal

Complex carbohydrates such as those found in oatmeal boost serotonin production. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that contributes to the regulation of mood, appetite and sleep. Oatmeal and other whole grains also contain the B vitamins thiamin and folate as well as zinc, all of which are believed to help improve mood in people suffering from depression. Added bonus: The carbohydrates derived from whole grains are slowly released into the bloodstream to provide hours of energy.  

Other sources: Whole wheat bread or pasta, brown rice.

Turkey

Turkey contains high levels of tryptophan, an amino acid necessary for serotonin production. It's a common myth that the tryptophan in turkey knocks you out after a big Thanksgiving dinner -- in fact, the drowsiness is more likely to be a function of plain, old over indulgence.

Other sources: Eggs, chicken, beef, pork, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds.

Spinach

Low levels of folate have been linked to depression. Spinach is a great source of this beneficial B vitamin.

Other sources: Lentils, Swiss chard, black beans, asparagus.

Salmon

According to a University of Pittsburgh study, people who consumed more omega-3 fatty acids had a greater volume of grey matter in areas of the brain associated with the regulation of emotions. They concluded that this could explain their role as a feel-good fat. The body cannot produce its own omega-3s (which also help to prevent heart disease, reduce inflammation, guard against stroke and offer other health benefits), so grill up a piece of salmon for your daily dose.

Other sources: Sardines, mackerel, eggs, flaxseeds.

Strawberries

Strawberries are packed with antioxidants, substances that are great for the brain and can boost mood and memory. Antioxidants are micronutrients that battle the free radicals that cause cell damage in the body. The Mayo Clinic recommends that that we get them from food, not supplements.

Other sources: Blueberries, cranberries, prunes, pinto beans.

Chocolate

Dark chocolate is another antioxidant powerhouse. Okay, so most of us don't need an excuse to eat it, but here are some reasons not to feel guilty about your fix: Not only does chocolate contain antioxidants, it also stimulates endorphins (the body's own natural pain killers) and boosts serotonin. Chocolate is high in fat and sugar, but, luckily, you only need to eat about a half an ounce a day to get the benefits.