Milk Alternatives (2024)

FAQs

What fake milk tastes most like milk? ›

The test made a few things clear: soy milk, at its best, tastes closest to cow's milk. Oat tastes like a sweetly nutty cereal milk while almond tastes like the water left in your sink after washing the breakfast dishes.

Many times, people with lactose intolerance turn to plant-alternative beverages. Lactose-free milk is an excellent source of protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals. And, lactose-free milk tastes sweeter than regular milk because the milk sugar, lactase, is broken down into two simple sugars, glucose and galactose.

Dairy-alternative milks tend to have fewer calories, less fat (except for coconut-based milk), more water content (for better hydration), less protein (except soy). Some are fortified with other vitamins and nutrients.

Soy Milk. Soy milk is the OG of non-dairy milk and is made by soaking soybeans (which have been hulled and ground) in water. Soybeans contain essential amino acids, high levels of protein, and iron, and soy milk has lower fat and cholesterol levels than cow's milk.

Cow's milk is still the gold standard when it comes to a nutritional profile because of the levels of protein, calcium and vitamin D. Calcium and vitamin D can be difficult to achieve in the typical American diet, and cow's milk can be a main source for those nutrients for many people.

Soy beverages fortified with calcium, vitamin A and vitamin D are the only plant-based alternatives with a nutrient content similar enough to milk to be included in the dairy group in the federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Oat Milk. Oat milk is perhaps the creamiest of all the plant milks. Its thick creamy texture means it's one of the closest plant-based milks to resemble dairy milk. Oat milk is quickly becoming a favorite non-dairy alternative to milk with popular brands like Oatly disrupting the traditional milk industry.

Lactose intolerance is widespread. In China, for example, which until recently had the world's biggest population, 85% of people are lactose intolerant. Some countries, such as Ghana, Malawi, Yemen and South Korea, have a lactose intolerance rate of 100%.

What to avoid if you are dairy-free? ›

A dairy-free diet includes avoiding all or most dairy products including milk, butter, yoghurt, cheese, cream and ice cream. Unlike a vegan or plant-based diet, a dairy-free still includes other animal products, such as meat, fish and eggs.

According to this guide, almond, hemp, and coconut milks may work for people with IBS. Just pay attention to your serving size. You may also want to try kefir. The fermentation process lowers lactose to a better level for those with IBS and lactose intolerance.

Does organic milk contain artificial hormones? There are NEVER any hormones added to milk – whether conventional or organic – but if you're concerned about the use of bovine growth hormones in cows, USDA organic milk standards prohibit organic dairy farmers from treating the cows with any bovine growth hormones.

Calcium-fortified products such as juices, cereals, breads, tofu, almond milk, and rice milk can also be good sources of calcium. For those who totally avoid Dairy Foods, it may be difficult to meet calcium needs on a regular basis. For more information on calcium sources, please see Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Depends. If you're aiming to lose weight or are diabetic, almond milk with its lower sugar and calorie content might be right for you. On the other side, oat milk is high in fiber and nutrients, which boosts heart health and immunity, and helps muscle grow.

For moms who can't breastfeed or who decide not to, infant formula is a healthy alternative. Formula provides babies with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.

“If you're looking for a plant-based milk alternative with similar nutritional values to cows' milk, soy and pea drinks are my recommended go-tos,” she says.