What Exactly is Non-Dairy Milk

Are you a baby cow?  I am going to assume that there are no baby cows reading this.  Since we have cleared that up, then we can move on to why I would even ask such a silly question!!

The purpose of cow’s milk is to turn a 65-pound calf into a 700 pound cow as quickly as possible.

Sorry, but it’s so true.  Milk does NOT “do a body good!”  Whether you pour dairy milk onto your cereal as a liquid, eat butter, yogurt, cheese, or turn it into ice cream with sprinkles…the base is still cow!

“No matter how it is transformed or disguised, cow’s milk is the lactation secretion of a large bovine animal that just had a baby. Like all mother’s milk, it is rich with estrogens. There has long been a strong concern that consuming these milk products, filled with powerful female hormones, fats and growth promoters may foster abnormal cell growth in hormone-responsive tissues, like the breast and uterus,” says Michael Klaper, MD. 

Casein, the main protein in dairy milk, is detrimental to human health.  “Casein, which makes up 87% of cow’s milk protein, promoted all stages of the cancer process,” says Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author of the well-regarded book, The China Study.

Well, fret not! There are numerous types of non-dairy milks out there for your indulgence. 

I like to rotate my milks!  One day I may use soy, the next day use Almond, and then Hemp! (Those are my 3 faves!)

From nut milk, grain milk, to coconut milk, the alternatives are huge. Choose yours today and enjoy the goodness of milk – the non-dairy way!

The most popular dairy milk substitute!  It generally has a slight soybean flavor and creamy texture. Roughly, 8 ounces of soy bean carry 100 calories and 4 grams of fat, making it nutritious and a close alternative to dairy milk.

This milk has a less creamy texture and half the calories than soy milk. What’s so cool is the fact that almond milk is quick to make at home with little effort, and fits perfectly for all recipe requirements.

This milk is best for people with soy and nut allergies. It has thick, creamy texture and blends perfectly in all recipes. Hemp milk has extremely good content of omega fats and calcium. It also has some fats, proteins and no cholesterol and fiber. Hemp milk is healthy, nutritious and great for use in beverages.

Think, creamy – many people love coconut milk.  Use it sparingly as it is quite high in fat & saturated fat. Its consistency is a close substitute to higher fat dairy milk. It has good amounts of protein, iron, magnesium and vitamins B12 and D.

Rice milk is sweeter, thinner and non-creamy – much like skimmed milk. A famous choice among Vegans, rice milk contains 120 calories and 2 grams of fats in every 8 ounces. It has considerable amounts of calcium and protein.  If you buy rice milk, make sure to check the ingredient list.  Often rice milk contains oil.

This tasty milk pairs beautifully with coffee due to its strong flavor and thin texture. Every 8 ounces have 110 calories, 2 grams protein and 18 grams of carbs. It has stores of calcium, vitamins A and D and riboflavin. Like other milks, it can be made at home and used for multiple cooking purposes.

A grainy and creamy texture with a hint of sweetness, oat milk is one for rich cookies and desserts. Each serving contains good quantity of vitamins A and D, iron and riboflavin besides protein, calcium and fats. Every 8 ounces provides 130 calories, making it a good non-dairy milk choice, particularly in Europe.

This non-dairy milk carries a pungent sunflower seed taste and a rich texture.  With average nutritional value, sunflower milk does not always make it to the kitchen table, but is still liked by many for some preferred uses.

Whole grain milk is the most versatile as it works beautifully with cereal and smoothies due to its great consistency and high nutrients. The nutritional value depends upon the grains used – and can vary from millet, black rice, barley, brown rice to quinoa, etc. This non-dairy milk is loved due to its variety of flavor and culinary uses.