I have recently given up dairy. As a result I have experimented a bit with milk alternatives and I have written my opinions and suggestions about different milks here. But I am getting ahead of myself.
Why have I given up dairy?
Good question. Milk [in the U.S. at least] is excessively processed. All milk is pasteurized and most organic milk is ultra-pasteurized. During pasteurization milk is heated to kill any bacteria that is in it, ultra-pasteurization just means that it was heated to a higher temperature, perhaps for a longer period of time. While the pasteurization process kills potentially dangerous bacteria, it also kills healthy bacteria and enzymes [many of which aid the digestion of milk]. Also, milk being a good source of calcium is sort of a myth. Human bodies do not absorb the calcium that dairy contains very well, particularly if it is pasteurized [in case you were wondering, dark leafy greens are a great source of calcium]. Also, diary products just tend to make me feel bloated and weighted down- not a pleasant feeling.
So, why not raw milk?
First off, raw milk is extremely hard to find because it is a federal offense for one to sell raw milk to another. This is something that the federal government has cracked down on very severely in the past couple of years because apparently that is what is most important to spend our tax dollars on [but I digress]. So, finding it can be quite difficult and if you do you are putting your supplier at risk. Secondly, and more importantly about 80% of protein in milk is a protein called casein which has been linked to many illnesses and diseases [asthma, acne, multiple sclerosis and arthritis just to name a few]. As a side note, casein is commonly used to make commercial grade adhesive, plastics, and paint. Humans simply cannot digest casein properly, and thus it potentially causes major problems. Also, think about the purpose of cows milk. This is all a calf needs to gain over 500 pounds in the span of a year. Why do we so commonly drink milk that is produced by and intended for an entirely different species?
This brings me to soy.
I wish I didn't have to address soy, but being that I am going to review milk alternatives, it must be included. Soy is terrible for you, in all forms. First, soy is one of the most common genetically modified foods. Second, soy is poisonous in it's natural form [like olives]. In order to make them edible, they are treated with a chemical that is similar to Drano [have you seen Heathers?]. Once that is completed, soy is transformed into whatever form you buy it in: tofu, soy milk, edemame, tempeh, etc. Finally -and this is the main concern for human health- soy mimics estrogen in your body. Meaning your body receives is as if you had taken estrogen as a hormone supplement. One of the worst things you can do to your body [excuse my French] is f-ck with your hormones [yes, this includes hormone based birth controls]. Obviously, children are even more in danger when consuming soy. I hate when parents order soy drinks for their young children [again, I digress]. In my opinion soy is even worse than milk. Just please, don't consume it.
Okay. You are probably wondering where I got all this information about soy and milk being terrible. Well, it has come from a multitude of different sources, none of them mainstream. "Credible" sources are hard to find for this information because the milk and soy industries are huge, meaning that they have deep pockets to keep unflattering information hidden and false studies conducted in support of their product. Believe me or don't. Also, if you are interested in more information, google is your best friend. I am not an expert, but I have done my research. The information is out there, it can just be difficult to find.
Moving on to great milk alternatives.
It should be noted that I have only tried the unsweetened versions of the following milk substitutes. It should also be noted that none of the milk substitutes that I tried are anything like cow's milk. It's just not the same. Nothing can mimic the texture, flavor or creaminess of dairy milk.
Almond milk
Almond milk is our staple. We use it for just about anything we would have used milk in or on. This milk has a very light almond-like flavor, it has a bit of a watery consistency, but overall it makes for a great muted-flavor milk alternative. Christian uses it on his homemade granola every morning [how adorable is he?] and enjoys it. I use it to make oatmeal and I think that it adds a nice almondy creaminess to the final product. I also absolutely love the almond milk in fruit smoothies, it brings out the sweetness of the fruit really well. I actually prefer almond milk in my smoothies to cow's milk. It's a much lighter and enjoyable snack. Almond milk is a good source of vitamin A and vitamin D, it is a great source of calcium and vitamin E, and it is low in calories and fat [40 calories, 3.5g fat in 8oz]. Overall, I think that almond milk is the best milk alternative. It is very healthy, it is economical [$3-$4 for a 1/2 gallon], and I think it has a great flavor.
Hemp milk
Hemp milk wins my vote for best tasting. Mmmm. Hemp milk has an awesome, subtle nutty flavor and great creamy consistency. It is just awesome. This is my favorite milk alternative to just drink as is. So far I have not used it in much, mainly because it is quite pricey [about $4 for 32oz]. And, oh my gosh, the chocolate version [which is sweetened] is ah-mazing. Yum, yum, yum. I just cannot express how much I love this milk. Hemp milk is a good source of polyunsaturated fat, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin b-12, magnesium, and phosphorus. It has a moderate amount of calories and fat [80 calories and 8g fat per 8oz], however most of the fat is good fat. If it weren't for the hefty price tag, this would be my number one choice for milk alternatives. It offers the most nutrients, it has the best flavor, and though the calories are a bit high I really don't use enough for that to become a problem [and I am not a calorie counter anyhow]. So, if you are bringing in the big bucks, this is the best option!
Sunflower milk
Sunflower milk is... Interesting. I really cannot explain it very well. It is a little bitter and would be suited best in savory dishes. Although, it has a very distinct flavor, so I would be mindful of that when considering it for any recipe. I did not find it pleasant to drink straight, or in things like cereal. Sunflower milk is high in calcium and a decent source of vitamin A. It has a moderate amount of calories and is low in fat [70 calories, 4g fat in 8oz]. Overall, this was my least favorite milk. It just does not have a pleasant flavor and it was quite expensive, I think I paid around $4 for a 32oz carton. This wins my least favorite milk alternative. The flavor is not good, it is expensive, and it does not offer much in the way of nutrients. I would pass on this one.
Hazelnut milk
I was really excited to try this, and then I realized that the only hazelnut milk that I could find is sweetened. Bummer.
Rice milk
I used to drink Rice Dream all the time in high school, and I really have no idea why. I was weird, what can I say? Rice milk has a pleasant subtle flavor, but it is very watery in consistency. This would be my second to last milk choice, save sunflower milk. Rice milk is a decent source of vitamin A, calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and vitamin b-12. It has a moderate amount of calories and is low in fat [70 calories and 2.5g fat] again, the fat is mostly good fats. Rice milk is also moderately priced, about $2-$3 for 32oz. Really the only reason this gets second to last ranking on my scale is the watery-ness. It is really not a bad option for a milk alternative.
Oat milk
Yum. Oat milk is very naturally sweet. This is my treat when I just want something that is nice and sweet. It is a little mealy, in that you can feel little particles of oat in your mouth when you drink it [I couldn't think of a better way to describe that. My brain is tired, okay?]. I think this is the best option for adding to coffee or tea. I also like to drink this one plain because it has such a rich flavor. It tastes like liquid oatmeal. This is the milk that tastes the most like the original product. This is also probably the least healthy [of course, because it is so nummy]. This is pretty high in calories and low in fat, it is also the highest in carbohydrates [130 calories, 2.5g fat and 24g carbs in 8oz]. Oat milk is a good source of vitamin A, calcium, vitamin D and riboflavin. The only reason this milk does not get a great rating in my book is that it is so high in carbohydrates and natural sugar [which are not necessarily bad, it is just really high comparatively]. The flavor is awesome and it is moderately priced at $2-$3 for 32 oz. This is a great milk to use as a treat.
So, that's my two cents on milk and milk substitutes. I hope you enjoyed it and/or found it helpful :)
