It wasn't long ago when you could go to a coffee shop and ask for a coffee with milk without having to specify what kind of milk. Dare you to try that today at your big brand or even local coffee shop... good luck. The varieties don't just range from skim milk to full fat anymore, but now cater for all dietary and allergic restrictions.
You now have the option to pick from so many different milk alternatives; Soy, Almond, Coconut, Oat, Goat, Rice, Cashew, Hemp, Pea, and the list goes on.
Each milk alternative has its advantages and disadvantages, all depending on your diet, health, nutritional needs &/or personal taste preference.
As a dairy lover, I understand the affects that excessive dairy consumption can have on my body and health, and I do my best to enjoy everything in life including my milk in moderation. With that being said, sometimes alternatives are not only beneficial for dietary restrictions but are great way to help keep that balance.After trial and error my family and I have found the right milk alternatives for us, but lets have a look at the most popular alternatives so you can find the best one for you.
First let me say this, there is no BEST option.. they all have their advantages, you need to figure out what you're looking for out of an alternative or if an alternative is even needed. To help add a bit of simplicity, here's a little little overview of the most common milk alternatives out there.
Almond Milk
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Lower saturated fat & higher saturated fats compared to cows milk
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Low in Calories
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Low in protein
Oat Milk
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Great for those with both a dairy & nut allergy
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Contains beta-glucan, which can contribute towards the maintenance blood cholesterol level
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Contains more Vitamin B than Soya & Coconut milk
Soya Milk
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Higher in calories vs Almond milk
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Sugar is frequently added as soy is plant based and isn't naturally sweetened
Coconut Milk
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Low in Calories
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Little to no protein.
I strong recommend checking labels as some of these milk alternatives will advertise fewer calories, fat contents or be high in protein, but in return can be sneaky sources of sugar. Now the choice is yours, whether you're bulking up, slimming down, have dietary restrictions, or just trying to look for a new or additional milk alternative, there's a lot to consider. So the question is no longer as simple as got milk? now we want to know, what type of milk have you got?