Soy Milk
Soy milk is a plant-based drink made from dried soybeans by soaking them and grinding them in water. This milk is rich in vitamins and essential nutrients, hence its huge popularity among vegetarians and vegans from all over the world.
Thicker and sweeter than almond milk, soy milk is one of the best dairy alternatives available. Since it doesn’t contain any animal-origin ingredients, soy milk is free from cholesterol and lactose. It is also very low in saturated fats. Besides, it is as rich in protein and as nourishing as whole milk. This is what makes it such a great choice for those who can’t drink whole milk for various reasons but want a nourishing replacement.
Scientists have conducted a study to compare the nutritional profiles of several types of milk: coconut, rice, almond, and soy. They found that soy milk was the richest in essential nutrients, and therefore concluded it was the second most nutritious milk-like beverage after cow’s milk. If you want to find the right milk type for you, this is the kind of study to search for, as they can provide you with all the essential details you need to make an informed choice.
Almond Milk
Almond milk is another largely popular plant-based alternative to cow’s milk. Its creamy texture and subtle sweetness make this dairy-free milk product the choice of many vegans and vegetarians worldwide. This drink is obtained by tasting the almonds and grinding them with water. The result is a well-blended mixture that boasts a nutty taste and a creamy consistency.
Almonds are nuts and nuts are rich in healthy fats, hence the generous polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats content in almond milk. In addition, this type of milk contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, protein, and fibre.
Almond milk is an excellent choice for lactose-intolerant individuals who need to avoid dairy products. Furthermore, this type of milk is not only cholesterol-free and lactose-free but also very low in sodium content. This makes it a great choice for those seeking to maintain a healthy heart. An average cup of almond milk contains only 30 calories, no carbs and no sugar, being therefore suitable for people on restrictive, low-calorie diets. In the winter months it can be nice to warm some milk up and eat some cookies next to the fire (or your electric radiators if you don’t have a fire place).
Rice Milk
If you’re seeking a hypoallergenic alternative to whole milk, you’ll want to learn more about rice milk. This type of milk is produced by boiling brown rice and by mixing it with brown rice syrup and brown rice starch.
The medium-sweet taste of rice milk is so pleasant that there’s no wonder so many people choose it above all other types of milk. As the rice grain has a natural sweetness to it, there’s no need for added sugar to make this drink so palatable. Lactose-free and low in allergens, rice milk is the perfect choice for allergy sufferers and for lactose-intolerant individuals who can’t digest cow’s milk.
People fighting cardiovascular disease or hypertension can safely drink this fat-free, zero-cholesterol milk type. Nevertheless, we have to mention here that rice milk contains less protein and calcium than whole milk. One serving of rice milk contains about 26 grams of carbs, being therefore relatively high in sugar and calories.
Buttermilk
Many mistakenly believe that buttermilk is a type of buttery, high-fat milk. In fact, buttermilk is nothing but a fermented milk product. A long time ago, buttermilk was produced from a by-product, namely the residual liquid resulting from churned butter in the process of making cultured or fermented cream.