Whether it is soy milk, or almond, cashew, rice, coconut, oat, and even pea milk, there is no shortage of choice. Plant-based milks are often referred to as dairy alternatives. They are often fortified with key nutrients such as calcium, iodine, vitamin B12 and vitamin D to support health.
Soy milk and the various nut milks without added sugar — such as almond, walnut, peanut, cashew, hazelnut or macadamia nut milk — as well as hemp and flax milks are higher in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, and also tend to have fewer calories than cow's milk.
Soy milk typically has a mild and creamy flavour, but this can vary between brands. It's typically sweeter than other milk alternatives. If you want dairy free milk that tastes like milk, this is probably your best option.
Soy Milk. Maybe the most classic non-dairy milk of all, soy is one of the best all-around options both on its own and coffee alike. We've tried many more soy milk than just the Silk pictured, and as you've likely already experienced, its trademark note of soy makes it a bit more polarizing.
"Coconut milk is a great option for those with digestive issues as it is easy to digest and is rich in lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties that can help support a healthy gut microbiome," Parsad tells us. Sabat suggests going one step further and trying coconut kefir.
Almond milk is dairy-free.
Almond milk has no lactose (a type of sugar found naturally in dairy milk) since it's not an animal product. As a result, it's a good milk substitute for people with lactose intolerance. It's also suitable for people who are vegan (don't eat animal products).
If you're lactose intolerant, you might wonder: Does Greek yogurt have dairy? Made from cow's milk, it does. However, Greek yogurt has less than 1 gram of lactose per ounce—less lactose than milk and about half the lactose of some other yogurts.
Common plant milks are almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, and soy milk. Other plant milks include hemp milk, oat milk, pea milk, and peanut milk.
Almond Milk vs.
Overall, the main differences between almond and oat milk are energy (calories) and carbohydrates, with almond milk offering less of each. Oat milk also contains slightly higher amounts of fiber, protein, and fat than almond milk.
Eggs are classified as poultry products, not dairy products. Poultry products include chicken, duck, and turkey eggs, while dairy products are made from the milk of mammals. Eggs are considered to be a separate food group, distinct from dairy products.
Oat milk may cause side effects like gas and bloat. Additionally, it may also interact with medications used for diabetes and may cause the blood sugar levels to go too low.
Strictly speaking, soya milk isn't a dairy food, but it is commonly used as an alternative to milk for people who suffer from lactose intolerance or dairy allergies, or for vegans who exclude all animal products from their diets.
The main difference is that lactose-free products are made from real dairy, while dairy-free products contain no dairy at all. Dairy-free products are made from plants, such as nuts or grains. Neither lactose-free products nor dairy-free products contain lactose.
Almond milk
Almond milk has anti-inflammatory properties and may be easier to digest than dairy milk. The downsides of almond milk are that it is often sweetened with added sugar and fortified with many additional nutrients. Your best bet is to buy plain, organic almond milk, or even better, make your own.
LACTAID® Milk
Having lactase added to the milk allows those who are lactose-intolerant to enjoy cow's milk without the digestive side effects of abdominal cramps, bloating, and flatulence. This milk is available in many formats, including flavoured varieties.
Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack “are virtually lactose-free,” Cifelli explains.
Oats are also rich in antioxidants and are the only food that contains a compound called Avenanthramide that gives it, among other things, anti-inflammatory properties.