There are so many choices when opting for non-dairy milk. Each type of milk has it’s own texture, flavor, and most people tend to prefer different types for different uses. It’s important to include milks in your diet so you can receive the benefits of having the nutrients they are enriched with (in addition to their own natural nutrients) such as calcium and Vitamin D. This is especially true for women, because we often are lacking these two essential nutrients!
Although cow’s milk is enriched with Calcium, for some reason Americans have trouble absorbing the calcium when it comes from this source. The reasoning for this is still being researched. But even just think about it: Americans drink so much milk yet have the highest rate of osteoperosis. Chinese usually do not drink cows milk and they have the lowest rate of osteoperosis. …Say what?!
The thing is that cows aren’t being fed grass. The largest source of calcium is green leafy vegetables. This is where the cow gets her calcium from. If you ask any scientist where nutrients originate, he or she will tell you that they come from the ground. So the cow eats her grass and the calcium becomes condensed in her milk so her baby calf can get the calcium she needs. Because cows aren’t being fed grass (they’re being fed grains) they don’t produce calcium naturally in their milk. After the milk is produced, the company enriches the milk in calcium and then markets it. So why not just skip the middle man and eat green vegetables? Just a suggestion. ; )
I’ll share with you my ratings for the most popular types of milk: soymilk, almond milk, rice milk, and coconut milk.
Almond Milk: ( 5 STARS ) I give Almond Milk 5 stars because it’s one of my top two favorite milks. If you’re a fan of the way cow’s milk tastes, almond milk may be your favorite. It is the most similar tasting milk, but it has a wonderfully mild aftertaste of almonds. The cool thing about this milk is that you can make it at home by combining almonds with water in a blender then straining it through a sieve. It has lower calories than milk and soymilk. Almond Milk may be one of the most nutritious milks out there. Almonds are rich in magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, and calcium. It also makes a great alternative to soymilk and rice milk during the Ekadasi fast. Almond Breeze used to be my absolute favorite milk because it was convenient to buy at Shaws, and doesn’t have too strong of a flavor. (Now it’s at a tie with soymilk, but that’s another category altogether!) I like to use Almond milk if I’m making mashed potatoes and it is too thick to mash because it makes the flavor richer but it isn’t too strong to take over the flavor of the mashed potatoes. Almond milk is also good if you’re making things that you don’t want to be too thick, such as crepes. Some people prefer almond milk with their cereal because it allows the flavor of the cereal to take over.
Soymilk: ( 5 STARS ) This is a great addition to any vegetarian’s diet because it is high in protein and also has the benefits of fiber and fantastic taste! It contains isoflavones, which are cancer fighting chemicals to help prevent various cancers. It seems like the miraculous soybean can make just about about anything! I like to use vanilla soymilk in baking because of it’s sweetness, rich texture and flavor. Vanilla soymilk is a good addition to your oatmeal, smoothies, cream-based soups, pasta sauces, breads and can be substituted for virtually any recipe requiring cow’s milk. My favorite way to have soymilk is enjoying a nice tall glass of chocolate flavored soymilk in the morning with my breakfast. It gives me that sweet punch that I’m craving, all while filling me up and giving me the necessary protein I need to start off my day!
Coconut Milk: ( 4 STARS ) is INCREDIBLE. If you are craving something rich and sweet, this is the milk for you! I knew someone with a real sweet tooth who loved sugary cereals and she would only eat her cereal with coconut milk because it made it taste almost like a dessert. And you know how getting your Omega-3’s is all the rage and the biggest concern in the nutritional world nowadays? Well, coconut milk is actually a source of Omega-3’s! It is also a great agent for skin and hair care. It contains calcium, potassium, chloride, vitamin A and E, and it helps to boost your immune system. For those who avoid milk and dairy, coconut milk is the best home remedy for stomach and throat issues because it contains lauric acid that has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. I like to use coconut milk in smoothies, puddings, ice cream, and for drinking during Ekadasi. You can buy big cartons of coconut milk at Whole Foods.
Rice Milk: ( 2 STARS ) Many describe the flavor of rice milk as “oaty,” which makes sense! Rice milk is usually processed from brown rice and usually contains rice syrup and other sweeteners. This milk is at the bottom of the chain for nutrition content because it is basically a large source of carbohydrates. Rice milk is a great substitute for cooking, baking, and drinking if you enjoy the flavor. But I would not recommend this milk as a nutritional replacement to cow’s milk or any other milk.
Choosing a nondairy milk is a matter of personal taste. The above ratings are my own personal tastebuds and how I like to use the various milks. And if youre curious about which milk I like to dunk my cookies in… it’s a tough choice between soymilk and coconut milk. ; )
Vegan Devotee 