THE THIRST FOR PLANT-BASED MILK

SHOULD WE SAY GOODBYE TO MILK?

DAIRY ALTERNATIVE BEVERAGES

Visit any fresh or shelf-stable dairy section of most grocery stores, and you are bound to come across a variety of interesting dairy alternative drinks merchandised in the same category. These days stores carry a diverse range of nut and plant-based beverages, including popular choices like almond, oat, and rice.

The decision in choosing non-dairy alternatives ranges from lactose sensitivity and dairy intolerance to veganism and environmental factors. Consumers are demanding more options and making more informed choices. Suppliers are stepping up to meet these needs and providing a plethora of alternatives. Below we look at why plant-based drinks have gained so much popularity and compare some of the pros and cons of switching to dairy-free.

WHAT ARE PLANT-BASED DRINKS?

Plant-based drinks are dairy-free alternatives to milk. Different types are produced using nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes. Soy milk is the most comparable alternative to cow's milk in terms of nutritional value. Rice milk is an excellent alternative for individuals who suffer from various allergies. Almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts are popular choices for nut milk. Other nut-free plant-based options include oat, coconut, and buckwheat.

There are typically two main production methods in making plant-based milk. The wet processing method includes the soaking and grinding of nuts, seeds, cereals, and legumes. The dry processing method includes harvesting, drying, and milling plants or legumes into flours. The final step for both production processes involves adding water, flavors, and vitamins. Bear in mind that pesticides are frequently used in the earlier cultivation stages and that choosing organic is usually in one's best interest.

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?

There are human and environmental benefits of consuming plant-based drinks. Many people choose plant-based beverages due to allergies or being dairy or lactose intolerant. Others choose these alternatives due to being vegan and caring about the effects that livestock farming has on the environment. A few of the arguments for plant-based beverages include:

They contain no lactose or cholesterol – which is beneficial for gut and heart health.
They contain no hormones or antibiotics.
They tend to have lower sugar content than cow's milk.
They are lower in saturated fat.
Production methods are more sustainable.
Less of an environmental impact overall compared to dairy milk (fewer emissions, land use, and water use)
No animal cruelty is involved.

Some of the arguments against plant-based beverages include:

• Substantial water quantities are needed in almond milk production.

• Deforestation is a concern, especially with oat and soybean farming.

• Mistaking nutritional value with dairy products (which contains a much higher concentration of nutrients like calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, protein, vitamins A, D, and B). In most cases, plant-based milk will not offer a comparable amount of nutrients, especially for growing children.

• Plant-based beverages tend to be more expensive than dairy milk.

CAN YOU CALL IT MILK?

According to the FDA, there are concerns involved with calling non-dairy beverages milk. One of the biggest arguments is that people mistakenly compare the nutritional properties of milk to these beverages. That is misleading as milk's nutritional profile is substantially higher than non-dairy alternatives, especially when meeting growing children's needs. A parent may mistake the non-dairy alternative as a suitable substitute for milk and unwittingly offer malnutrition to their child. For these safety reasons, the FDA is currently considering the argument to whether dairy alternative beverages are allowed to place the title “milk” on their labels. As it stands, the discussion is still open for debate as to whether these types of products are misbranded.

USES FOR PLANT-BASED DRINKS

You can get quite creative with plant-based beverages. For one thing, nut drinks add a great taste to coffee. Coconut milk and creams are popular dairy alternatives in the kitchen, primarily when used in spicy cuisines and soups, sauces, and even desserts. Plant-based beverages can be an excellent non-dairy addition to cereals and power smoothies, especially when choosing ones that are higher in protein like soy or quinoa. Brands like The Bridge BIO specialize in vegan plant-based milk beverages that use 100% natural spring water from the mountains of the village in which the company originates. Check them out! Their website host's several creative recipes you can try out using plant-based-milks. And don't forget the sweet things; almond and coconut milk can make for a delicious ingredient in desserts like vegan frozen popsicles.

Try this tasty recipe from the Simple Vegan Blog!

Ingredients

• 2 bananas

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 4 tbsp almond butter

• 3 tbsp coconut oil

• 1/3 cup chopped dark chocolate (100 g)

Instructions

• Blend the bananas, almond milk, maple syrup, and almond butter in a blender until smooth.

• Pour the mixture into the popsicle molds.

• Freeze for 35 minutes and gently insert popsicle sticks.

• Freeze for about 3 hours or until solid.

• Combine coconut oil and dark chocolate in a saucepan over medium heat, constantly stirring, until smooth. Let cool slightly before using.

• Remove the popsicles from their molds.

Many people choose plant-based beverages due to allergies or being dairy or lactose intolerant. Others choose these alternatives due to being vegan and caring about the effects that livestock farming has on the environment. Here we look at why plant-based drinks have gained so much popularity and compare some of the pros and cons of switching to dairy-free.

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