More and more of us are dumping dairy from our diet either due to environmental concerns, health consciousness or having an intolerance to lactose. Fortunately, there are a load of plant-based alternatives out there which come in a variety of flavors and are widely available. Whether you’re committed to going non-dairy or need a bit of convincing this article will tell you everything you need to know about the best alternatives to cow’s milk around.
Our Top Picks for Best Non-Dairy Milk
#1 Best Non Dairy Chocolate Milk: So Delicious’s Dairy Free Organic Coconut Milk Beverage with Chocolate
For a non-dairy chocolate milk that is rich, creamy, and delicious, this coconut milk based drink will never let you down.
#2 Best Non Dairy Milk for Foaming: Oatly Milk Barista Edition with Pumpkin Pie Spice & Art Stencils
For a full-bodied non-dairy milk that is great for foaming, this oat milk tastes incredible in lattes and cappuccinos and may be better than dairy.
#3 Best Non Dairy Milk for Weight Loss: Califia Farms Low Calorie Unsweetened Almond milk
For a non-dairy milk alternative that contains less than 50% of the calories in skimmed milk, this almond milk based drink tastes delicious and will help you lose weight.
#4 Best Non Dairy Milk for Protein: Silk’s Unsweetened and Organic Soy Milk
For a non-dairy milk that contains higher quantities of protein than dairy itself, this soy milk is great for people keen to up their protein intake even as they give up dairy.
#5 Best Non Dairy Milk Yogurt: 365 Everyday Value’s Unsweetened Almond Milk Yogurt
For a deliciously light non-dairy yogurt alternative, this almond milk based yogurt is full of probiotic goodness and even more delicious than dairy.
Why cut out dairy?
Aside from the fact that an estimated 65% of the world population is lactose intolerant after infancy, there are also significant environmental factors that are turning people against dairy milk. The production of milk has a profound impact on the environment as cows and their manure produce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Concerns around animal welfare are also a reason why some are favoring plant-based alternatives over dairy.
While cow’s milk is a rich source of calcium and Vitamin D, some research argues that humans are not conditioned to drink milk from cows. There is even research to suggest that cow’s milk can actually weaken our bones rather than strengthen them as has been commonly believed. It is also high in fat which is another reason why some are choosing to reduce their dairy intake.
What are good plant-based alternatives to dairy?
When it comes to plant-based alternatives we’re sure you’re looking for the best tasting non-dairy milk to add to your diet. Whether you’re looking for the best non-dairy milk to drink or want to use it for tea, coffee, or breakfast cereal there are multiple options to choose from. Gone are the days where soy milk was the only non-dairy option. Let’s take a look at the different types so you can find the best non-dairy milk, not soy.
#1 Oat Milk
Oat milk is made out of a combination of oats and water and is a great choice if you’re looking for the best non-dairy milk for coffee. Oat milk is packed full of fiber and vitamins and minerals to give you a cracking start to the day. The consistency of oat milk makes it the best non-dairy milk for frothing. It makes perfect cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites making it a favorite with coffee connoisseurs.
#2 Almond Milk
When it comes to a nutty flavorsome milk that can be used for everything then almond milk is a great plant-based alternative to dairy milk. Considered to be one of the best non-dairy milk for cooking and best no-dairy milk for baking almond milk is a great all-rounder. Almond milk is also packed full of vitamins and minerals but is low in protein. The nutty flavor gives it a natural sweetness which means that you can save on calories by choosing the unsweetened version.
#3 Coconut Milk
Coconut milk has been used for centuries in Asian cookery, however, it is now enjoying a resurgence thanks to its dairy-free credentials. You can either by canned coconut milk, which is the type used for cooking, or coconut milk in a carton which is the type for drinking. Coconut milk is made from the white flesh inside a coconut which is soaked in water to create a milk. This plant-based alternative is best consumed as a treat as it is quite high in saturated fat.
#4 Rice Milk
If you’re looking for the best non-dairy milk for cereal then rice milk is a great choice. Made out of boiled rice and water, rice milk is very low in fat. Rice milk also works well in tea and coffee as it has a similar flavor to cow’s milk. Avoid using rice milk for baking as it is a little on the thin side which won’t make for tasty cakes.
What are non-dairy alternatives for children?
It is important to speak to your doctor if you’re looking for non-dairy milk for babies or the best non-dairy milk for toddlers. They might recommend a soy-based formula for your child as this contains the most protein, as the various other plant-based kinds of milk may not contain the vitamins and nutrients that your child needs to grow.
Other non-dairy products
With the growing demand for vegan food items, there are a huge amount of non-dairy products available in addition to the plant-based milk options discussed above. Most grocery stores will have a dairy-free section that will now almost certainly contain non-dairy yogurts, cheeses, spreads, and even ice cream. Going dairy-free doesn’t mean foregoing delicious food, just selecting a few different items instead.
Best Non-Dairy Milks: Our Top Rated 2022
With so many plant-based alternatives to cow’s milk now available it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our top-rated non-dairy milk types to make the choice a lot easier.
#1 Best Non Dairy Chocolate Milk: So Delicious’s Dairy Free Organic
If you’re after a delicious dairy-free alternative chocolate milk drink, then you need look no further than this coconut milk-based option. The combination of coconut and chocolate is well known in fine dining so you won’t feel like you’re missing out by replacing dairy with this option. This chocolate flavored coconut milk is rich, creamy, and delicious especially when chilled and served over ice.
Other pros of this chocolate flavored coconut milk are that: although it has a high fat content, it is actually full of so-called “good fats”, which are known to be beneficial to your health; it is certified vegan, non-GMO, dairy, soy, and cholesterol free, and; it has the optimal balance of magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D that helps to aid absorption and strengthen bones. The downside of this milk is that it is not low in calories.
#Coconut_Milk #Chocolate_Milk #Chocolate_Coconut_Milk #Coconut_Drink #Good_Fats
#2 Best Non Dairy Milk for Foaming: Oatly Milk Barista Edition
This delicious oat-based milk is the best non-dairy milk alternative that works great when it comes to making frothy coffees. This batch even comes complete with stencils to help you give a professional finish to your coffees and a delicious blend of pumpkin pie spices great all year round but especially on cold and wintery nights. This oat milk is rich, creamy, and full-bodied and great at foaming for lattes and cappuccinos.
Other pluses about this oat milk are that: it includes 4 different stencils, including anything from hearts to leaves and sunshine to the stars; oat milk and coffee are a match made in heaven and many people actually prefer it to dairy once they have tried it; it is the best non dairy milk for smoothies due to its creaminess, and; it is made using gluten-free oats as well as being nut-free and vegan. The downside of this oat milk is that it has to be shipped in from the UK – but it is worth the wait.
#Oat_Milk #Non_Dairy_Milk #Frothing_Oat_Milk #Latte_Milk #Cappuccino_Milk
#3 Best Non Dairy Milk for Weight Loss: Califia Farms Low Calorie
If you are moving across to non-dairy milk types to help you lose weight, it can be disappointing to find out that many of them actually contain more calories than offered by skimmed dairy milk. Fortunately, this particular almond milk recipe only contains 35 calories in every 200ml serving. This is around half what you would expect in the same sized serving in skimmed milk (70 calories), and much less than semi-skimmed (95), and whole (136).
Other good things about this almond milk are that: it actually has more calcium in it in comparison to dairy-milk, up to 50% more; it contains no added sugar but has a natural sweetness drawn from the nuts themselves, and; it lasts longer than dairy and most other non-dairy alternatives in the fridge (7-10 days). Unfortunately, this milk does not froth that well so won’t work great in cappuccinos and lattes.
#Almond_Milk #Almond_Milk_Drink #Low_Calorie_Milk #Dairy_Free #Long_Lasting_Milk
#4 Best Non Dairy Milk for Protein: Silk’s Unsweetened and Organic
If you’ve found out your lactose intolerant or have simply decided to give up dairy, but don’t want to lose out on the protein you get from milk, then this soy milk will be just for you. Soy milk is the most similar to dairy milk in terms of its constitution and contains high levels of protein. Indeed, this particular soy milk actually offers almost double the protein you could expect in a similar-sized serving of dairy milk.
Other things to like about this dairy-free soy milk are that: it is 100% free from non-GMO produce and cholesterol, as well as lactose, gluten, egg, and MSG making it a healthy alternative; it is packed full of other beneficial minerals like magnesium, Vitamins D and A, and Iron, and; it is low in calories, with just 10 more calories than you could expect from skimmed milk. The downside of soy milk is the flavor is not to everyone’s tastes, especially in coffee and tea.
#Soy_Milk #High_Protein_Milk #Dairy_Free_Milk_Drink #Free_From_Dairy #Soy
#5 Best Non Dairy Milk Yogurt: 365 Everyday Value’s Unsweetened
Even if you are someone who can’t understand the growing turn towards veganism, one thing everyone should be grateful to vegans for is the expansion of non-dairy alternatives now available on grocery store shelves. This almond milk based yogurt is truly delicious, good for your health, and just as silky smooth as the best natural yogurts out there. If you haven’t tried dairy alternatives yet, there are worse places to start than this almond yogurt.
Other good things about this yogurt are that: it is full of beneficial bacteria and probiotics that help to improve digestion and stave off illness; it contains Agar Agar which is a natural appetite suppressant so can help if you are trying to lose weight, and; it is enough for 5 healthy servings. The downside of this non-dairy yogurt is that, unlike many dairy alternatives, it contains nuts so is not suitable for those with nut allergies.
#Almond_Milk_Yogurt #Dairy_Free_Yogurt #Yogurt #Almond_Yogurt #Natural_Yogurt
Conclusion
There is a growing movement of people that are cutting dairy out of their diet. Whether it be for health reasons, having an intolerance to lactose, animal welfare, or wishing to reduce their impact on the environment there are many reasons to give up dairy. Dairy farming is one of the biggest contributors to the creation of greenhouse gasses which contribute to climate change, a fact which has been the trigger for many to follow a plant-based vegan diet.
Cutting out dairy doesn’t mean that you won’t have any options. The availability of plant-based alternatives to dairy is continually growing and there are a variety of milk on the grocery store shelf that make great substitutes for cow’s milk. Oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and rice milk are just some of the options to try so why not give one a go today.