Moo-over milk! Plant-based alternatives to traditional cow’s milk have been pretty trendy recently. This may be due to food allergies, food intolerances, digestive problems, certain dietary restrictions, and the possible link to acne when consuming cow’s milk.
These days it seems that there are many milk alternatives available in your local grocery store. However, while cow’s milk contains calcium, protein, vitamin D, and potassium, you should be careful when selecting a milk alternative to ensure that it contains the proper nutrients and is not loaded with sugar, additives, and artificial flavorings. Read the labels carefully!
Let’s take a look…
Almond Milk
Almond milk is made with almonds and water. It has a lighter, thinner consistency and has a slightly nutty, sweet taste. Almond milk is a good source of Vitamin E but lower in protein, fat, and calories. It can be used in your coffee, cereal, smoothies, and baked goods.
Oat Milk
Oat milk is made from oats and water. It has a creamy, rich consistency and has a mild sweet flavor. It’s perfect for adding to your coffee, cereal or smoothies. Bonus-oat milk is high in fiber.
Soy Milk
Soy milk is made with soybeans and water.. It has a creamy consistency and a mild taste. Soy milk is a good source of protein and generally has less calories, fat, and carbohydrates. Soy milk can be added to your coffee or cereal as a milk alternative.
Rice Milk
Rice milk is made from rice and water. Rice milk has light consistency and s mild sweet flavor.. It is generally easy to digest. It can be added to cereal and smoothies. Rice milk has a higher amount of carbohydrates and less protein and fat than cow’s milk.
Cashew Milk
Cashew milk is made from cashews and water. It has a thick and creamy consistency and a nuttier flavor. Cashew milk is lower in protein, fat, and carbohydrates than cow’s milk. It is best added to cereal and coffee.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is made from the white meat of the coconut and water. Coconut milk has a creamy, thicker consistency and tastes a little bit sweet. It definitely has a distinctive coconut flavor to it so be careful with how you are using it. Coconut milk has less protein, fat, and carbohydrates than cow’s milk. However, the fat it does contain is considered a saturated fat.
Hemp
Hemp milk is made from the seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp milk has a thin consistency and sweet, nutty flavor. Hemp milk has less carbohydrates, calories and protein than cow’s milk. However, the protein it does have is a good source of Omega-3. It is best used in cereal or smoothies.
Choosing Your Milk Alternative
As you can see, there are many milk alternatives that are new on the scene and should be available at your local grocery store. When choosing a milk alternative, consider the taste, nutrition profile, dietary concerns, food allergies, food intolerances, and cost. Buy organic and avoid sweetened products.
Further, consult with your doctor if you are unsure of which milk alternative to choose, especially if you have certain food allergies, food intolerances, medical conditions or have special dietary concerns.
Strawberry- Banana Almond Milk Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
· 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
· 1/3 cup ice
· ½ cup strawberries
· ½ banana
· ½ tablespoon agave nectar or honey or to taste
· ½ tsp vanilla extract (avoid imitation)
Note::Amp up protein by adding chia seeds or your favorite organic plant-based protein powder.
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender
2. Blend until creamy and smooth
3. Serve immediately
Evolve Wellness, LLC
Andrea is a health and wellness coach at Evolve Wellness, LLC. At Evolve Wellness, LLC we focus on eating clean healthy food, fitness, anti-aging, and beauty for leading a healthy lifestyle. You can find out more on www.evolveholisticsolutions.com.
Note: The role of a health and wellness coach is not to diagnose, treat or cure any disease, condition or other physical or mental ailment of the human body. The information on this website should not be seen as medical or nursing advice and is not meant to take the place of consulting licensed health professionals.