Grass-fed, pastured, organic farm animal milk like cow, goat or sheep will always be THE BEST milk for one to drink. But lately i’ve been asked about non-dairy alternatives. Let’s take a look at these pseudo-milk alternatives and see if they add up.
Almond milk
Not a horrible milk. It’s a nut, so those with nut allergies are out. It does contain a full array of minerals including calcium. It’s simple to make but I see many people do not want to take the time to make it, let alone make it the right way (pre-soaking or sprouting), so they buy it in a store. EH! Wrong!
(FYI: highest in Oxalates – they can cause kidney stones)
It has a little too low in protein department and contains almost no saturated fat(that’s the fat that builds the brain and protects the nerves). The store-bought is loaded with synthetic vitamins and sugar AND sometimes “natural flavors” or Carrageenan! What?
Soy milk
I would never suggest this. Never. EVER! [read the Whole Soy Story by Kaayla Daniels]
It does contain protein, but at what cost? Way too many isoflavones (phytoESTROGENS that can potentially mess around with your own hormones).
Tons of phytic acid that can cause digestive problems. Can’t soak the beans before use, because that will not change anything. It has no fat, very little calcium or not really good minerals for that matter. Also second highest in oxalates. super duper.
Cashew milk
This is one of the newer milks. Contains copper and magnesium, not bad. Though, alas, it has no protein and very little calcium. Not to mention zero saturated fat.
Lots of times, companies add an oil, like canola oil, to make a richer, smoother milk.
Eww. Just eww.
Macadamia nut milk
Another nut milk, yeay (sarcasm, again). No protein (even though pea protein is usually added to it), no fat, and really no vitamins.
What’s the point? Add to the fact that “natural flavors” is added (what the heck is that?) and sugar. Come on.
Hazelnut milk
Though its been catching a lot of attention in coffee houses in California, its yet ANOTHER NUT MILK.
Its also considered one of the more expensive milks. This milk has 1 more gram of protein than Macadamia nut milk. Vitamins are low in this one too. Nope.
Walnut milk
I feel like I’m repeating myself. No fat, 1 gm of protein, and low in vitamins. Calcium is ok, but you will not absorb it because if not prepared correctly, its bound up to certain “antinutrients” humans cannot breakdown.
Next.
Hemp milk
Again, not a fan. Contains very little calcium or fat. Though it has a lot of protein, the protein is hard to digest (not very bio-available)
It is very mass-produced resulting in a milk that contains a lot of additives and sugar.
Flax milk
Cold pressed seeds mixed with water, gives this milk alternative a “1%” texture.
Don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound too appealing. It does contains a lot of Omega 3’s (though its the type of Omega-3’s your body has to convert to use, so if you don’t have the genetics that create the ability to convert, outta luck!).
Its has zero protein. Its also contains little to no necessary vitamins for growing brains, muscles and bones.
Sunflower milk
I was pleasantly surprised to see some fat in this milk, but unfortunately no protein. Calcium was decent. But that’s it.
Ok, no.
Coconut milk
Naturally sweet and naturally thick, hard to argue with a cup of homemade coconut milk. Has a lot of medium chain triglycerides (which is a saturated fat, yeay!).
Downside is it doesn’t have any protein, little calcium and if bought from the store, contains synthetic vitamins, sugars and thickening agents. Boo.
Rice milk
One of the easier ones to digest. But….its naturally sugary, low protein, little to no minerals. If you do not make it yourself, I’d avoid it.
Oat milk
I dislike this one because soaking these grouts, doesn’t actually get the phytic acid out. So if you are not savvy to how to properly make this milk or buy it from a company that does it the right way, eventually that phytic acid will be causing major irritation to your intestines and changing the minerals of your body.
Though it may have decent fat and carbs, and more protein then most of the alternatives, the phytic acid content could make it moot.
Be careful giving it regularly to little ones.
Pea milk (what the?)
The new fad milk. Great [emphasis on the sarcasm]. Its high in protein, though the jury is still out as to how absorb-able.
It’s very low in the saturated fat, and contains a higher amount of calcium than Almonds.
The only company I know so far is Ripple. They add Sunflower oil (a no-no oil).
I wouldn’t go with this since it’s literally being “beta-tested” on people right now.
Long story short, these alternatives are not for everyday. Maybe as a fun thing you can do at home to add some variety. You have to prepare all of these(except for coconut) if you want to remove that stuff like, lignans, lectins, oxalates, and phytates/phytic acid. Otherwise you can be going down a very dangerous road of gastritis, bloating, gas, and possible IBS.
Almost all lack the foundational fats and proteins necessary for healing and nourishing the body. Not to mention almost zero B vitamins (mitochondria need those along with your muscles and nerves extensively), D vitamin, A vitamin, and lastly enzymes.
Knowing this, reconsider using anything but cow, goat or sheep milk, especially for children. HERE is a study that shows how inconclusive these non-dairy alternatives really are for nutrients.
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