When deciding which milk alternative is the best for you, consider which options are the best for your health and the environment. From dairy products to plant-based alternatives, there is a milk out there for everyone. Whether focused on flavor, taste, or sustainability, there is a plant-based option for everyone.
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 C02 emissions is challenging, but not impossible. Many plant-based milks require large amounts of the ingredient source itself, and may create large amounts of unusable byproducts.
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.
When most people think of plant-based milk, soy milk is probably the first to come to mind. This may be because soy milk was one of the originating plant-based alternatives, and is produced by a variety of noteworthy companies.
During the production process, the fibrous remains of soy are discarded while the liquid is mixed with additives. It’s 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.
Even though oat milk has been consumed around the world for over 30 years, it has just become widely popular over the last few years here in the U.S.. Oat milk is made by combining raw oats, water, and a blend of natural enzymes. The mixture is then left to break down into both the 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, is nutrient-dense and has an unmatchable taste. Most importantly, oat milk is very versatile and can be used in an array of recipes and beverage options.
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 similar to soy milk but tops the charts with its protein content and overall nutritional value. Pea milk also tastes great, requires less water to produce, and the resource process to make it sequesters nitrogen back into the soil. The production process is responsible for a minute amount of emissions and overall takes up less land space. One flaw is that it doesn't always work in recipes or as a beverage mix-in.
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 offer a viable amount of nutrients and protein. When it comes to sustainability, all of these options are better than standard or almond milk, so find the one that you like best and enjoy!
When deciding which milk alternative is the best for you, consider which options are the best for your health and the environment. From dairy products to plant-based alternatives, there is a milk out there for everyone. Whether focused on flavor, taste, or sustainability, there is a plant-based option for everyone.
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 C02 emissions is challenging, but not impossible. Many plant-based milks require large amounts of the ingredient source itself, and may create large amounts of unusable byproducts.
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.
When most people think of plant-based milk, soy milk is probably the first to come to mind. This may be because soy milk was one of the originating plant-based alternatives, and is produced by a variety of noteworthy companies.
During the production process, the fibrous remains of soy are discarded while the liquid is mixed with additives. It’s 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.
Even though oat milk has been consumed around the world for over 30 years, it has just become widely popular over the last few years here in the U.S.. Oat milk is made by combining raw oats, water, and a blend of natural enzymes. The mixture is then left to break down into both the 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, is nutrient-dense and has an unmatchable taste. Most importantly, oat milk is very versatile and can be used in an array of recipes and beverage options.
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 similar to soy milk but tops the charts with its protein content and overall nutritional value. Pea milk also tastes great, requires less water to produce, and the resource process to make it sequesters nitrogen back into the soil. The production process is responsible for a minute amount of emissions and overall takes up less land space. One flaw is that it doesn't always work in recipes or as a beverage mix-in.
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 offer a viable amount of nutrients and protein. When it comes to sustainability, all of these options are better than standard or almond milk, so find the one that you like best and enjoy!
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