Vegan eating is a snap with these five animal-friendly apps
Harness the power of technology in your quest to switch to a vegan lifestyle with these handy apps
VeganagogoWhether your motivation is to curb global warming, protect animals, or ensure we all have enough to eat, there are lots of reasons to try a vegan (avoiding all animal products) or vegetarian (avoiding meat) lifestyle. These apps make changes to your diet or routine easier
Animal-Free
Don't be misled by fancy chemical names covering up cruelty: this app cuts through the jargon with its massive database of ingredients coming from animals. Isinglass in drinks? Comes from a fish's swim bladder. Castoreum in vanilla-scented things? That's from a beaver's anal gland. Edible shellac on pills? Bug poo. Yum!
Vegan Alternatives
Baking a cake but trying to cut out eggs and milk? This app suggests vegan ingredients that will have a similar taste when cooked. Find animal-friendly alternatives to more than 20 products, including cheese, milk, ice cream, yogurt, bacon, duck, and chocolate.
Available: Android - HK$8, try Substitutions on iOS - HK$23
Veganagogo
Veggies travelling to a foreign country can be uncertain about new foods if they are unable to read a menu. Avoid only being able to eat bread or fries when travelling abroad with this app that translates your dietary requirements in 50 languages. For the shy explorer, the company also sells a T-shirt that has pictures of food with a cross through them to get your point across visually.
Available: iOS - HK$23, try Vegetarian Travel Translator on Android - HK$13.89
Is It Vegan?
Whether it's food or beauty products, sometimes it's hard to tell what has added animal ingredients. Is It Vegan is a tool for anyone interested in cutting these from their diet. You scan the bar code on any food or drink packaging and instantly get information on whether the item is vegan, vegetarian or neither.
Available: iOS/Android - Free
HappyCow
The go-to guide for green dining worldwide, HappyCow finds and reviews vegan and vegetarian restaurants. There is a large and growing number of listings for Hong Kong, which is a positive sign that our city is becoming a friendlier place for veggies. So long, shark fin!
Available: Android - Free