What Is The Best Milk Alternative?
Are you wanting to switch to a healthier lifestyle, are lactose intolerant or maybe just don’t enjoy the flavour of regular dairy milk? If so, then there are many plant-based milk alternatives available on the market that you can choose from. However, when it comes to making the switch, what is the best milk alternative you should buy?
Soy milk
When searching through the aisles at your local supermarket, one of the best alternatives to dairy milk is soy milk. It is typically made using ground organic golden soybeans, water, vegetable oils or soy protein powder. Soy milk is also fortified with additional calcium, minerals and vitamins.
In 2017, the AFSTI (Association of Food Scientists and Technologists) conducted a study which found that soy milk contained a much higher nutritional profile when compared to other dairy milk alternatives such as rice milk and coconut milk.
You can find soy milk in any supermarket in Australia in both full-fat and low-fat varieties. Soy milk is a great source of plant protein, carbohydrates, calcium and B vitamins. It also contains more fibre, healthy unsaturated fats and protein in comparison to other plant-based milk alternatives.
Being the best plant-based alternative to regular cows milk, soy milk is loaded with important compounds which are called phytoestrogens. They are natural plant compounds which imitate the body’s own oestrogen. There have also been many studies which suggest that consuming soy milk can offer a proactive effect against various types of cancers.
The CCA (Cancer Council of Australia) even published a position statement on soy, cancer prevention and phytoestrogens where they supported the daily consumption of soy foods like soy milk. Although, the council did not recommend leading a diet that has high doses of phytoestrogen supplementation. This is especially true for women who are suffering from existing breast cancer.
Being a very versatile alternative to dairy milk, soy milk is a healthier way to replace the dairy content when cooking your favourite dishes such as soups, breakfast oats, curries, smoothies and muffins. But most importantly, soy milk is a great plant-based alternative to traditional cows milk when making your favourite morning cup of coffee.
This is one of the main reasons why soy milk, as well as almond milk, is easily found on any menu in any cafe or restaurant throughout Australia, as well as the rest of the world.
Almond milk
Almond milk is usually made using water and roasted almond paste. It is a great substitute to regular dairy milk for those who are suffering from lactose intolerance. However, almond milk is not suitable for those who may suffer from any nut allergies for obvious reasons. Even though almond milk is lower in protein and calcium when compared to dairy milk, it is a great source of protein.
Almond milk is also very low in calories as well. This is due to only having a small portion of almond nut being present in the almond milk once it has been processed. This is a main reason why almond milk is an ideal substitute to dairy milk for anyone who may be wanting to lose weight by cutting down on their calorie intake.
Apart from conducting regular exercise, reducing your dairy intake of calories is an extremely effective way to lose weight. This is also extremely vital for managing and preventing many health issues such as diabetes. By simply replacing two or three servings of dairy milk each day with almond milk or soy milk will reduce your daily intake of calories by up to a whopping 348 calories, depending on your specific diet.
Coconut milk
With a thick, rich and creamy texture, coconut milk is a delicious substitute to dairy milk that is made from the inner white flesh of mature brown coconuts. It is used in many southeast Asian dishes such as Thai curries. Coconut milk is also extremely popular in other countries including South America, the Caribbean, Hawaii and India.
Coconut milk is typically made by finely grating the solid white flesh of the coconut and then either boiling or simmering it in water. The mixture is then strained through a cheesecloth to produce a thick texture. Even though unflavoured coconut milk is very popular, there are also other flavoured varieties including salted-caramel, chocolate and vanilla.
Coconut milk is an essential ingredient in many dishes such as Thai massaman curry, which is why many households will typically have a bottle or tin of coconut milk in the cupboard. It is also delicious when mixed with water and jasmine rice to create coconut rice.
In summary
As you can see, when it comes to choosing the best milk alternative to incorporate into your diet, there are many options to choose from. Consider which one suits your tastes better and start enjoying a healthier diet today!