So what is lard, you ask? Well, in short, it’s pretty much one of the nastiest things you’ve ever consumed in your life. Sorry, but it’s true:
Looks kind of like dried-up snot, doesn’t it?
And THIS:
…Yeah.
To go into more detail, lard is the rendered fatty tissue of pigs, meaning that it’s basically pig fat that has been ground up to form a gross, greasy spread. As a matter of fact, manufacturers have to add antioxidants to lard to prevent it from going rancid, aka turning into ground-up, rotting pig sh*t.
Where can it be found?
- Food containing shortening (e.g., baked goods)
- Lubricants (ooh la la)
- Soap … YES, SOAP.
- Cosmetics
How to avoid it:
Now, before you panic and head for the hills …
… keep in mind that it’s easier than ever to live lard-free! When buying cosmetics, look for products that are labeled “cruelty-free.”
Need some help getting started? Order your FREE cruelty-free shopping guide here!
As for food, as long you stick to vegan stuff, you’ll automatically be avoiding any and all animal-based ingredients! For baking, make sure to use vegetable-based shortening. Check out our free peta2 Guide To Going Vegan to help get you going on the right foot!
Guaranteed lard-free!