Nathaniel Fried
For many of us, the act of consuming and enjoying cow’s milk is something which we have grown up with and never thought to question or change. In recent years, however, the popularity of veganism and those looking to omit dairy from their diet has increased hugely, and this has lead to a renewed interest and understanding in dairy-free alternatives.
As the demand has grown, so has the choice, and this is excellent news for those who may have to cut out dairy for health purposes, such as lactose allergy, or ethical reasons. The selection is now huge and includes a host of reliable companies, such as Linbro beverage products to save you time and effort. Here are some of the top alternatives to dairy. Why not give them a try?
Soy Milk
Soy milk is one of the most popular and well-known alternatives to dairy milk and offers a mild and creamy flavour which makes it ideal for adding to tea and coffee. It provides a similar amount of protein as cow’s milk but has the bonus of only half the carbohydrates, fats, and calories. It is also able to offer a ‘complete’ protein which includes amino acids—components which are essential to good health. These can’t be produced naturally by the body and so have to be sought elsewhere. Soy milk is an easy way to achieve this.
There are some issues with soy, such as the large amounts of isoflavones which can interfere with the estrogen receptors and hormones of the body. In addition, there are environmental concerns over the product. Vast swathes of woodland and farmland may be destroyed to grow the soybeans, and this is a problem for those looking to live more ethically.
Almond Milk
As the name suggests, almond milk is created from whole almonds or a combination of almond butter and water. It has a sweet, nutty flavour which makes it a popular addition to smoothies and desserts, and offers less than a quarter of the calories and half the fat of cows milk. As a downside, it also provides less protein and carbohydrates. It is, however, an excellent source of Vitamin E, which helps to protect the body from free radicals and can boost overall health.
Coconut Milk
Created from coconut flesh and water, coconut milk is sweet and creamy, providing an unusual but tasty alternative to dairy products. It also contains fewer calories and fat than the latter, though it also lacks the carbohydrates and proteins, and has the lowest amount of these elements of all non-dairy milk. The high levels of saturated fat can be a boost for health, however, and it is also believed to help increase levels of good cholesterol in the body, which can result in improved heart health.
Oat Milk
Oat milk is made from oats and water, though manufacturers may add other elements to the finished product in a commercial setting. It has a sweet, milk taste which makes it suitable for adding to hot drinks, and is thought to help with lowering levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
