Nowadays you see advertisements for plant-based milk everywhere, but just five years ago, seeing an ad for plant milk on TV was almost unheard of! Although the increase in popularity in recent years is a victory, plant milk remains a bit of a mystery for many. So in this article, we will discuss what plant-based milk is, who it’s for, and some of the benefits that come with choosing a plant-based alternative.
What is plant-based milk… is it even milk?
Plant-based milk is a type of beverage developed by humans to mimic the properties of cow’s milk, by crushing and boiling nuts or seeds. Nuts and seeds are the usual candidates for creating milk alternatives because they produce a similar consistency, colour and creaminess to cow milk.
However, the taste of the milk largely depends on the exact type of seed or nut used. For example, oat milk tastes quite similar to cow milk, especially when served chilled. But it’s just a little sweeter. On the other hand, coconut milk does not taste like cow milk but has other similar properties, like shelf life and consistency.
Should I switch to plant-based milk?
People turn to plant milk for many of the same reasons they turn to veganism or a plant-based lifestyle. For some people, the decision to live a more ethical lifestyle forces them to turn to plant milk, while others seek plant-based milk as a lower-calorie option that’s better for their health.
Alternatively, some people choose plant milk because it doesn’t aggravate their lactose intolerance. Regardless of your reason, plant milk is a healthy and viable alternative to animal milk, so if you’re interested in making the switch, go ahead and give it a try.
What are the benefits of drinking plant-based milk?
For so long, cow’s milk has been championed as the king of building strong bones and being a good source of calcium. But those days are slowly coming to an end. While we now know that cow’s milk is a valuable source of protein, vitamin D, and calcium, we have also learned about some of the health issues tied to milk consumption in recent years. And these concerns stretch beyond issues, such as acne and gastrointestinal problems.
Conversely, when looking at plant-based milk and how it compares to regular milk, you will find that plant milk is generally lower in calories and saturated fats (except for coconut milk, which has some saturated fats). The unsaturated fats in plant-based milk, coupled with the fiber of the plants, makes plant-based milk a better choice for your health. And, for those who may be concerned about losing essential vitamins and minerals when switching to plant-based milk, rest assured that while many plant-based kinds of milk are also fortified, milk is not the only source of these nutrients. All that is needed is a little bit of conscious effort to replace these nutrients in other ways should you feel the need.
What are the options for plant-based milk?
The variety of plant milk available now is fantastic. At most grocery stores, you can find several brands that offer almond, soy, coconut, oat, cashew, hemp, rice, and sometimes even pea milk. Each brand has its own flavour and ingredients, so you can easily find something that fits your needs and excites your taste buds. Here is a rundown of the various plant milk available:
Soy milk
Soy milk is made by soaking soybeans in water and blending them. Due to its mild flavour, soy milk is probably your best option if you’re looking for plant-based milk that tastes similar to regular milk. In addition to its mild flavour, soy milk is also creamy (of course, different brands can vary). Furthermore, as mentioned previously, soy milk is most similar to regular milk in protein and nutrients.
Oat milk
Oat milk is made by soaking, blending, and straining oats. Oat milk’s creaminess rivals that of soy milk and also has a mild flavour. Pro tip: oat milk ice cream is some of the best ice creams on the market.
Nut milk
(almond, cashew, pecan, macadamia): Nut milk is made by soaking the nut in water and blending. Nut milk, while delicious, is not quite as creamy as soy and oat milk, and the flavour of whichever nut is used tends to come through in the flavour profile. This milk option would not be great for someone with a nut allergy.
Hemp milk
Hemp milk is, of course, made from hemp seeds. This choice of plant milk is not mild in flavour as it has earthy and nutty tones. It does, however, tout the added benefit of containing omega-fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health.
Rice milk: Rice milk is made by soaking rice. Rice milk tends to be sweet and has a delicate consistency.
Coconut milk
Coconut milk is made from boiling coconut meat. The meat is then blended and strained. The consistency of coconut milk is more watery, and the flavour of coconut is distinct in this plant-based beverage.
Pea milk: Pea milk is made from yellow peas, and is similar in its flavour to soy milk. Like soy milk, pea milk also has similar protein levels to that of regular milk, making it a good alternative to soy.
Wrap up
In closing, plant-based milk is gaining their much-deserved popularity and recognition. While the number of different plant milk available can only mean good things, it can be confusing for anyone trying to figure out which plant milk is right for them. Luckily, you now have a better understanding of what plant-based milk is, some of the benefits of picking plant milk over regular milk, and the different types of plant milk available. So, what are you waiting for? Not only will your health thank you for making the switch, but the animals and the planet will also benefit as well. So, go out and give plant milk a try.
Sources:
Plant-Based Milk vs. Cow’s Milk: Which is Better? – To Taste
Vitamin D Milk: Everything You Need to Know (healthline.com)
I never realized that there were so many different types of plant milk available now. I had heard of coconut, soya and oat milk, but hemp, pea and nut are new to me.
You would think that nut milk would also be calorie dense, as nuts are normally quite fattening, but it seems not. I think it will definitely take some getting used to if you are used to cows milk. What has put me off is the price tag, as they are all so much more expensive than regular cows milk.
That is true, the price is often 50% to 200% higher than ordinary cow milk :( Hopefully this changes moving forward
Thank you very much for this valuable and detailed post about Plant-Based Milk. Actually, I am used to animal milk. I have never drunk plant milk yet. But your post made me want to give it a try. Thank you very much for this recommendation. Keep posting like this. I definitely share this.
No problem Pasindu. Do come back and let me know if you gave it a try, and let me know what you think!
The food industry takes a surprising turn based on the concerns the earth and people have. I never knew until recently all of these plant-based milk varieties.
Meat is taking a toll on the climate crisis on earth because you need to cut trees for raising cows establishment as per the research.
People are trying to be vegan and vegetarian recently. Plant milk can be an adorable option for them
Oats, rice, hemp, pea, soy, almond, cashew, coconut- all could be prepared at home if one likes them.
A great of tea could be made using oat milk and a chai latte just by mixing and warming.
There are celebrities giving recipes using almonds and other milk.
Plant kinds of milk are excellent nutrition and most purposes can replace cowmilk.
Cow milk is the infants’ and children’s nutrition and I am not sure if it can be replaced by plant-based milk.
Be careful if you have nut allergies.
That’s exactly right Anusuya!
Also thanks for that brilliant idea – oat milk and a chai latte, I’m definitely gonna give that a try
Plant-based milk may not taste as good as cow’s milk but it’s a healthier alternative.
When my colleague/friend who loves milk and other dairy products decided to go on a vegetarian diet, I kept asking her how she could survive without having milk. She said she was drinking soy milk and almond milk. While they don’t really taste like the regular milk she used to have in the morning and evening, what really matters is their health benefits.
At least she still gets to have milk, even though it’s plant-based.
I am really glad I got to read your post, I discovered that there are other plant-based kinds of milk for my colleague to try, like oat milk and hemp milk. I just hope they are available at our local market.
Thank you, Zedek.
I beg to differ! I think oat milk taste like velvety gold! Our differences aside, thank you for your insightful comment Alice, I look forward to hearing from you again.