Not too long ago, the only thing you would add to your tea and cereal would be traditional cow’s milk. In more recent years, the market for milk alternatives has increased. You would have to hunt high and low to find just what you were looking for. With the increased awareness of veganism and the ever-changing dietary requirements of the modern person, it’s hard to avoid plant milks now. Each plant milk alternative has its own benefits but they can all be replaced with normal milk. You can add any plant based milk to your tea, coffee or cereal without the compromise. Finding the best milk alternative or most sustainable milk alternative may seem daunting but we are here to help.
Milk Alternatives
For anyone who has dietary or allergy concerns, it may be difficult to find alternatives to your favourite foods and drinks. Thanks to the ever growing milk alternative market, there are now more options to choose from when it comes to milk and milk alternatives. The range of alternative milk products varies from soya milk to oat milk and lactose free milk. So whether you are looking to alter your diet for health reasons or you are just looking for a milk alternative for your tea or coffee, we have the benefits of each type of non dairy milk alternatives.
Cow’s milk
Cow’s milk is widely known for the benefits it has including the calcium and nutrients such as B12. It is the most popular form of milk as over 12 billion pound is spent on milk in the UK alone each year. It contains magnesium and calcium which is an important element for the development of strong bones and teeth.
Benefits of Cow’s Milk
- Includes Calcium & B12
- Good source of protein
- Strengthens bones and teeth
- Improves Muscle growth
- Boosts brain memory and function
Almond Milk
Almond milk is a plant-based dairy milk alternative made from almonds. The milk has a nutty flavour and a creamy consistency and can be used as a replacement for cow’s milk. It is a plant-based milk alternative that is suitable for vegans and contains no dairy or animal ingredients. It often comes in different types such as sweetened and unsweetened. McQueens Dairies offers both sweetened and unsweetened almond milk. Unsweetened almond milk is healthier than regular almond milk because it doesn’t have any added sugar or sweeteners. The unsweetened version can be better for diabetics because it is low in carbohydrate and doesn’t raise blood sugar level.
Sweetened almond milk makes an excellent dairy-free alternative for those who cannot tolerate lactose or casein found in traditional cow’s milk. It makes for a healthy alternative for most but, anyone with diabetes may be better choosing unsweetened almond milk because it does not contain any added sugar.
Benefits of almond milk
- Naturally Lactose Free
- 100% plant-based
- Vegetarian
- Naturally low in fat and saturated fat
- Low in sugars
- A source of calcium. Contains vitamins B2, B12 and D.
- Source of calcium and vitamins D and B12. Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Coconut Milk
The coconut is a fruit and belongs to the palm family and is a great milk alternative. The white flesh of the coconut is used to make coconut milk and it makes a good milk alternative for anyone that has a lactose intolerance to regular dairy milk.
Benefits of Coconut Milk
- Naturally Lactose Free
- 100% plant-based
- Vegetarian
- Naturally low in fat
- Low in sugars
- Without added sugars or sweeteners.
- A source of calcium. Contains vitamins B2, B12 and D.
- Source of calcium and vitamins D and B12. Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Oat Milk
Oat milk is a great non-dairy milk alternative. It is made from natural oats that have been blended with water. Again, oat milk can be used for tea’s, coffee’s and cereals. It is thought that oat milk is the best milk alternative for tea and coffee as it froths up nicely and tastes similar to traditional cow’s milk.
Benefits of Oat Milk
- Naturally Lactose Free
- 100% plant-based
- Vegetarian
- Naturally low in fat and saturated fat
- Without added sugars or sweeteners.
- Rich in Fibre
- A source of calcium. Contains vitamins B2, B12 and D.
Soya Milk
Soya milk is another plant-based milk alternative to real milk from dairy cows. It’s made from soya beans and the beans are soaked and blended with filtered water. It then is strained to produce the liquid soya milk, therefore making it perfect for adding to cereal and coffee. Soya milk is a good high protein milk alternative out of all the ones mentioned as it contains the most amount of proteins that are needed for the body. It also is suggested that soya milk is the best milk alternative for toddlers as it is similar in terms nutritional value to cow’s milk.
Benefits of Soya Milk
- Naturally Lactose Free
- 100% plant-based
- Vegetarian
- Naturally low in saturated fat
- Low in sugars
- Source of high quality protein
- A source of calcium. Contains vitamins B2, B12 and D.
- Source of calcium and vitamins D and B12. Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Lactose Free Milk
For many people with lactose intolerance, milk from cows is off the table. Lactose contains a type of sugar found in milk that causes a range of symptoms. Lactose free milk has all the nutritional benefits and taste of standard milk, just without the lactose, making it safe for people with this intolerance to drink.
Benefits of Lactose Free Milk
- No added sugar
- Gluten Free
- Suitable for vegetarians
- Low in salt
- Low in fat
- Suitable for those with lactose intolerance
There is much debate over which milk alternatives are the best for various reasons. Some would say the best milk alternative for coffee is oat milk as it froths up well, some would say soya milk is the best for a direct alternative for cow’s milk. Whichever milk alternative you go for, there are different benefits for each and can provide different purposes.
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