Non-Dairy Milk Alternatives

Where do you turn if you have a milk allergy?
Here is a look at some non-dairy milk alternatives as we weigh the pros and cons of each:

Soy milk

Dried soybeans and water with a slightly nutty, sour taste
Pros
Easy to find, carried by most grocery stores
Can be homemade
Almost as much protein as cow’s milk
Contains vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E
Low in fat
No cholesterol
Can be found fortified with riboflavin and/or calcium
Contains more fibre than cow’s milk
Good for baking
Cons
One of the top 8 allergens
Contains more fat than 2% cow’s milk
Contains only a quarter of the calcium found in cow’s milk

Nut milk

A creamy milk that can be made by combining water with almonds, cashews, or hazelnuts
Pros
Easy to find, carried by many grocery stores
Can be homemade
Source of protein and vitamin E
No cholesterol
Works well in desserts, baking, sweet beverages and with cereal
Can be flavoured
Cons
One of the top 8 allergens
May not be soy-free
Does not work well in savory dishes

Rice Milk

A thin milk made from pressed rice
Pros
Works well in cereals and baking
Cons
Low in protein and vitamins
Does not work well in savory dishes

Oat milk

A creamy milk made with oats and filtered water
Pros
Works well in oatmeal and cereals
Can be homemade
Works well in baking and savory dishes
Cons
Not gluten-free

Hemp milk

A creamy milk made from hemp seeds and filtered water
Pros
High in omega 3s and 6s and amino acids
Can often be found fortified with calcium and other vitamins
Low in sugar and cholesterol
Works well in cereals, sweet beverages and savory dishes
Cons
Since it is very new, it is difficult to find

Coconut milk

A very creamy milk made from steeped coconut pulp
Pros
Anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-viral
No cholesterol
Available in most Asian food stores or Asian and/or baking sections of grocery stores
Works well in beverages, desserts and breads
Cons
High in saturated fats, calories, oils and sugars

Potato milk

Made with potato and water
Pros
Works well in cereals and savory dishes
Can be homemade
Cons
Low in protein
Since it is very new, it is difficult to find


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Source: allergysense.com

Non-Dairy Milk Alternatives