Whether you are lactose intolerant, switching to a healthier diet, or don’t enjoy the taste of traditional cow’s milk, there is a wide variety of alternatives to regular dairy milk when strolling through the supermarket.
As this can be overwhelming for many shoppers when searching for the best soy products to replace dairy milk, which alternatives are the best?
1. Almond Milk
Dairy milk alternatives such as almond milk are typically made from roasted almond paste and water. Almond milk is suitable for those who are intolerant to soy milk or dairy milk but is not ideal for anyone suffering from nut allergies. Almond nuts are a great source of protein, although almond milk is lower in calcium and protein than regular dairy milk.
However, even though almonds are known for being high in fat and calories, almond milk is much lower in calories. This is because only a small portion of the almond is still present in the almond milk after it has been processed. This is why almond milk is a great dairy milk alternative for those wanting to lose weight and cut down on calories.
Apart from regular exercise, cutting down on your calorie intake is one of the most effective ways to lose weight. It is crucial for preventing and managing various health issues such as diabetes. In fact, by simply replacing two to three servings of dairy milk each day with almond milk, you can reduce your daily calorie intake by up to 348 calories, depending on your diet.
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2. Soy Milk
When searching for a dairy-free alternative to traditional cow’s milk, soy milk is one of the best options. Soy milk is typically made from soy protein powder or grounds soybeans such as organic golden soybeans, vegetable oils, and water. Soy milk is also fortified with vitamins and minerals such as calcium.
A study conducted by the AFSTI (Association of Food Scientists and Technologists) in 2017 revealed that soy milk fared better than many other dairy milk alternatives such as coconut milk and rice milk in terms of its nutritional profile.
Soy milk can be found in many supermarkets throughout Australia in both low-fat and full-fat varieties. Many soy milk brands are a good source of B vitamins, calcium, plant protein, and carbohydrates. It contains more protein when compared to many other plant-based alternatives and contains fiber and healthy unsaturated fats.
As one of the best soy products on the market, soy milk contains essential compounds known as phytoestrogens. These are natural plant compounds that can imitate the body’s natural estrogen. There have also been studies that suggest drinking soy milk can have a proactive effect against certain types of cancers.
The CCA (Cancer Council of Australia) released a position statement on phytoestrogens, soy, and cancer prevention. The council supported the consumption of soy foods such as soy milk in one’s daily diet. However, they do not recommend a diet that contains high doses of phytoestrogen supplementation, especially in diets for women that suffer from existing breast cancer.
Soy milk is very versatile and widely used as a healthier alternative to regular dairy milk when cooking many dishes such as breakfast oats and soups and baking desserts such as cakes and muffins. However, soy milk is a perfect alternative to using traditional cow’s milk when making coffee. This is why soy milk, along with almond milk, can be found on almost every café menu throughout Australia and the rest of the world.
3. Coconut Milk
Featuring a rich, creamy texture and thick consistency, coconut milk is made using the inner white flesh of mature brown coconuts from coconut trees. Coconut milk is amazingly mainstream in Southeast Asian foods, for example, Thai dishes. Coconut milk is also trendy in India, Hawaii, and many other Caribbean and South American countries.
To make coconut milk, the solid white coconut flesh is typically finely grated and then either simmered or boiled in water. This mixture is then usually strained through a cheesecloth which produces thick coconut milk. Apart from unflavoured coconut milk, there are many flavored varieties such as vanilla, chocolate, and salted caramel.
Many households will typically have a tin or bottle of coconut milk in their pantry or fridge, being an essential ingredient in many curry dishes such as Thai massaman curry. It can be mixed with some water when boiling jasmine rice to make coconut rice, is delicious in many stir fry dishes, and makes many desserts such as Malaysian gula Melaka.
Consider these healthy alternatives to traditional dairy milk when searching for the best soy products and taste the difference for yourself today!