Plant-based milks offer a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional dairy or the ever-popular almond milk. These milks are not only great for you but the planet too.
The milk market is ever-changing and always evolving. From dairy products to plant-based alternatives, there is a milk out there for everyone. Whether your focus is flavor or you prefer to drink a milk most concerned with sustainability, there is an option for you. In a world where the sustainable food market is growing, here are the best milk alternatives that keep the planet in mind.
What Factors To Consider When Choosing Milk?
Every plant-based milk comes with a collection of pros and cons. There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a milk that fits best in your lifestyle.
Sustainability is the primary factor when it comes to choosing a dairy-milk alternative. The milk-making process comes with an extensive carbon footprint. Finding a milk with the smallest carbon footprint and the smallest amount of Co2 emissions is challenging, but not impossible. Many plant-based milks require a large amount of the source and create large amounts of unusable byproducts, so choosing a milk with a low carbon footprint is the best way to go.
Nutrition is another key factor to consider when choosing the best milk to drink. Dairy alternatives need to provide the proper protein, calcium, and vitamins to drinkers as real dairy does. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how sustainable
Soy Milk
When most people think of plant-based milk, soy milk is probably the first to come to mind. This is because soy milk has been around the longest and is produced by a variety of noteworthy companies. To make soy milk, the soy is gathered and pressed to remove all of the liquid.
The fibrous remains are thrown out while the liquid is mixed with some additives to make soy milk. Soy milk tastes great and can be used in the same way that dairy milk is. It’s also incredibly nutrient-rich and boasts a high level of protein. Soy is an incredibly sustainable crop requiring way less water and space than other plant-based milk sources. Soy milk has the lowest emissions on the list and even helps fertilize the soil the soy is grown in.
Many of these plant-based milks can benefit the soil their source material is grown in, creating sustainable farming practices for years to come.
Oat Milk
Oat Milk has become extremely popular over the last few years but has been widely consumed around the world for over thirty years. Oat milk is made by combining raw oats, water, and a blend of natural enzymes. That mixture is left to break down until it turns into oat milk and an insoluble byproduct.
Oat milk is a great-tasting dairy alternative that is far more environmentally friendly. Oat milk causes 80% fewer emissions than cow's milk. It also requires 60% less energy and 80% less land than traditional dairy.
When compared to other plant-based milks, oat milk uses less water. It is nutrient-dense and stands in the middle of the pack when compared to other plant-based milks. Most importantly of all, oat milk tastes great and is versatile enough to be used in a variety of recipes and beverages.
Pea Milk
If you are looking for a protein-packed dairy alternative, pea milk is a great option for you. Pea milk is made by milling different kinds of peas into flour. That flour then gets mixed with water and other ingredients to make a milk-like liquid.
Pea milk is very similar to soy milk and tops the charts with its protein content and overall nutritional value. Pea milk tastes great but does not always work in recipes and as a mix-in with other beverages. The peas used to make pea milk are great for producing nitrogen in the soil. They take less water than many other plant-based milk alternatives. Pea milk is responsible for a very low amount of emissions and overall takes less space to produce because the milk uses the entire pea.
How To Choose A Milk For You?
When it comes down to it, each of these plant-based milks is a great option. They are all incredibly sustainable with low carbon footprints, not a lot of water usage, or space requirements. Although slightly different, each of these milks offers a good amount of nutrients and protein. All of these options are better than cow's milk and almond milk when it comes to sustainability, so find the one that you like best and drink with peace of mind.
Key Takeaways
Many plant-based milks, except for almond milk, are sustainable.
The popularity of plant-based milks will make it easier for companies to provide more sustainable and affordable milks.
Many of these plant-based milks can benefit the soil their source material is grown in, creating sustainable farming practices for years to come.
