Feeling Thirsty? See what milk is the best choice for you!
As many of us know, Dairy isles have continued to explode with more and more milk options over the past few years. With so many choices available now like; soy, almond, oat, and more… Choosing the right milk has become a lot more confusing.
Because of this, we here at Farmers On Duty want to help you make the right choice that is the best fit for you. We’re outlining all of the facts and de-bunking the misconceptions around six of the most popular types of milk; Oat, Almond, Coconut, Soy, and of course, Cow’s milk.
Oat Milk
Oat Milk is a creamier plant-based milk, made with whole oat grains, that provides a very mild oatmeal flavour. Although oat milk isn’t as nutritious as the whole oats you may have in your morning oatmeal, it is often enriched with an abundance of nutrients such as potassium, calcium, iron, and Vitamins A, B, and D!
Although oat milk typically has more calories and carbs than other milk varieties like soy or cow's milk, it has twice the amount of fiber! In fact, the abundance of fiber found in oat milk makes it much easier to digest, helps stabilize your blood sugar levels, and provides its unique creamier texture! Ultimately, oat milk is a creamy, tasty, plant based milk option that is high in fiber and free of nuts, lactose and soy, making it a fantastic choice for those with particular dairy, nut, and soy allergies!
Almond Milk
Almond Milk is a Plant-Based Milk, made almost entirely with just almonds and water. It has a mild almond flavour and a more watery texture, making it a very popular product for coffee, tea, and baking recipes. Although almond milk does not have as much protein or Vitamin D as other milk varieties, it is very rich in Vitamin E, the nutrient that is very important to your vision, skin, reproduction, blood, and brain!
What’s more, it is also much lower in calories and carbs compared to other milks. Essentially, almond milk is a tasty non-dairy milk that is watery in texture and naturally lactose free, which makes it a great option for vegans, and those with lactose intolerance. Note, almond milk is not a suitable option to those with Tree Nut allergies.
Coconut Milk
Coconut Milk is a plant-based milk that is squeezed from the white flesh of a coconut. For centuries, it was used simply as a culinary ingredient; but over the past few years, it has become a much more popular non-dairy milk option. The rich flavour, and milky-white colour of coconut milk comes from the high oil content found in coconuts. Because of its high oil content, coconut milk often has a higher fat content than other milk varieties.
However, the fat content of coconut milk varies greatly depending on what purpose it serves. Coconut milk made for cooking is typically found in cans, has a much stronger coconut flavour, and is higher in fats. Coconut milk made for drinking, like the one that may be available at your local coffee shop, is often mixed with water, giving it a milder flavour and lower fat content. Coconut milk is free of lactose, nuts, and soy, making it a great choice for vegans and those with dairy, nut, and soy allergies or intolerances!
Organic Cows Milk
Cow’s Milk, the most common type of dairy milk, is naturally rich with essential nutrients. The long list of valuable nutrients include magnesium, zinc, thiamine, and vitamins A, B, and D. In addition to this, cow’s milk is an excellent source of protein. Protein is necessary for many vital functions in your body like growth, development, immune system regulation, muscle repair, and bone strength. Because of its abundance in protein, it is considered a fantastic natural alternative to processed protein drinks that promote post-workout muscle recovery.
However, with this being said, cow’s milk is not an option for everyone. It is estimated that 65% of the world population have some degree of difficulty digesting lactose, the natural sugar found in cow’s milk. So, if you choose cow’s milk for its abundance of essential and natural nutrients, be sure to listen to your body’s digestive response and avoid drinking it if you have a known intolerance to lactose.
Soy Milk
Soy milk is a smooth plant-based milk that is made by blending soaked soybeans with water. Like many plant-based milk alternatives, they are available in both sweetened and unsweetened varieties. The sweetened varieties usually contain cane sugar, oil, salt, and vanilla, which provides a flavour closest to that of cow’s milk. Nutritionally speaking, soy milk is the most similar to cow’s milk, meaning it is rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins A, B, and D.
Soy milk is also the non-dairy milk alternative that provides the most protein, making it an excellent choice that aids in bone health and muscle repair. There has been some minor controversy around soy milk, because some soy milks are made using genetically modified soybeans. However, Silk organic soy milk, available here at Farmers On Duty, is free of GMOs, conventional pesticides and herbicides. Ultimately, when it comes to flavour and nutritional value, soy milk is the most similar to cow’s milk. Although it is not a safe choice for those with soy allergies, it is a nutrient rich, tasty choice for vegans and those with dairy intolerances.
The Bottom Line
We here at Farmers On Duty know that with the continuing expansion of dairy and non-dairy milk choices, the dairy aisle at the grocery store can quickly become confusing or overwhelming. That is why we provided you with the correct facts and benefits of many popular choices, because we want you to make the best, most educated choice that is right for you and your body. Looking to try one of these awesome dairy or plant-based milks? All of the milk varieties listed above are available at Farmers On Duty to order.
To take a look at our in-store and delivery options, click here: https://farmersonduty.com/
Milk facts, myths, and nutrition information gathered from www.healthline.com