Popular in the snack aisle, they’re known for being thin, bite-sized, and crunchy. But are Wheat Thins vegan? Find out whether you can enjoy them if you live a vegan lifestyle.
Wheat Thins have been around for more than 75 years. Sold only in the United States and Canada, they’re a common sight in snack bowls and on charcuterie boards.
But if you’re on a vegan diet, can you enjoy them as well? Like a well-made snack bowl, the answer is mixed.
Some types of Wheat Thins, such as the Original flavor, are compatible with a vegan lifestyle, and others are not.
Read on to find out more about which Wheat Thins varieties you should avoid if you’re a vegan.
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What are Wheat Thins?
Introduced in the 1940s ago by Nabisco, Wheat Thins are now a fixture in grocery stores across North America. But don’t call them “crackers.”
Nabisco rebranded them about 10 years ago to remove that word from their packaging — instead simply using “snacks.” It was a way to capitalize on the growing snack-food industry, alongside foods like chips and pretzels.
Wheat Thins haven’t quite reached the level of popularity among consumers as those types of foods enjoy. But they have introduced a range of new flavors to try to entice more loyal customers.
Now Wheat Thins varieties include Original, Ranch, Sundried Tomato & Basil, and Multigrain, among others. It also offers Wheat Thins Toasted Chips. Designed to be a healthier alternative to regular potato chips, they’re made with whole grain and no trans-fat.
Are Wheat Thins vegan?
Now that we know the history behind these snacks, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients in the different varieties to see which ones are compatible with a vegan lifestyle. And which ones aren’t.
Wheat Thins flavors that are vegan
The following flavors of Wheat Thins are all vegan:
- Original Wheat Thins
- Reduced Fat
- Hint of Salt
- Multigrain
- Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil
- Sundried Tomato & Basil
- Spicy Buffalo
- Zesty Salsa
Main ingredients in Original, Reduced Fat, and Hint of Salt include whole grain wheat flour, canola oil, cornstarch, sugar, malt syrup, refiner’s syrup, and salt.
Multigrain also features various whole grains, along with molasses and soy lecithin, a substance used to process fats in the body.
Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil also has black pepper and olive oil, as well as onion and garlic powder.
Sundried Tomato & Basil uses several vegetable-based ingredients such as sundried tomato powder, paprika, garlic and onion powder, dried green bell peppers, and yeast extract.
Spicy Buffalo adds cayenne pepper sauce, tomato powder, and garlic powder, along with some other spices to the Original Flavor recipe.
And Zesty Salsa includes green bell pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and distilled vinegar.
None of these ingredients contain animal products and all are vegan-friendly.
Wheat Thins flavors that are not vegan
However, not all Wheat Thins varieties are vegan. These ones are not compatible with a vegan lifestyle:
- Ranch flavor
- Honey Mustard
- Chili Cheese
- Smoky BBQ
They use non-vegan ingredients like sour cream and cheddar cheese powder, derived from cow’s milk, as well as insect-based honey and honey solids. So, these do not qualify as vegan food options.
Are Wheat Thins Toasted Chips vegan?
Wheat Thins Toasted Chips are larger and crispier than the traditional Wheat Thins crackers. They’re meant to resemble more of a chip-like snack. And they come in two kinds: Multigrain and Veggie flavor.
The Multigrain variety is vegan. But the Veggie flavor is not, as it notes milk products in the ingredient list.
Vegan alternatives to non-vegan Wheat Thins flavors
Here are a few vegan-friendly options for some Wheat Thins varieties that are not compatible with a vegan diet.
BIENA Tasty Thins Hawaiian BBQ – These chickpea-based snacks are made with all vegan ingredients. And unlike the Smoky BBQ Wheat Thins which contain honey, the barbecue seasoning in these snacks does not.
FitJoy Tangy Dijon Grain Free Pretzels – If you’re looking for a vegan alternative to Honey Mustard Wheat Thins crackers, these could be an option. They use date nectar instead of honey. This sweet fruit syrup is collected from dates and is vegan.
Back to Nature Cheddalicious Snacks – These plant-based crackers have a cheesy flavor but contain no animal ingredients. While they do not have a similar spiciness to the Wheat Thins Chili Cheese variety, they could still be a good substitute.
FAQ
Most varieties of Wheat Thins have 140 calories per serving, which is 15-16 crackers. Each serving also contains about 21 grams of carbs and 5 grams of fat.
Keep Wheat Thins in a cool, dry place like a pantry. If unopened, they can keep for up to 6 months. The original packaging will have a best-by date that indicates when to eat them for peak freshness. Opened packages of Wheat Thins will usually stay good for up to a month if resealed.
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