7 Reasons To Choose Plant Based Milk

 

Photo by Mariam Antadze

In recent years, more and more people have made the switch from traditional cows milk to plant based milks. This can be for a variety of reasons: from cows milk allergy, lactose intolerance or specific diets and lifestyle choices such as veganism, plant based milks are an ideal alternative. 

There are four main dairy-free milk alternative to choose from - oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk and almond milk. Depending on your individual needs and tastes, you're sure to like one of these plant based milk options.

But what exactly are the benefits of plant based milk?

Here are seven reasons why plant based milks are beneficial to include in your diet.

Lactose-Free

Plant-based milk is naturally lactose-free, making it a great option for people who are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy. They're a great alternative for children who cannot drink cows milk, but who still need to use and consume milk for their dietary requirements. However, be sure not to give plant based milks to children under the age of one. Here's a handy guide on how to choose the best plant based milk option for your child.

Vegan-Friendly 

Plant-based milk is free of animal products, making it a suitable choice for vegans and vegetarians. The Vegan Society have a helpful guide on the best plant milks to include in your diet.

Lower in Calories 

Many plant based milk options are lower in calories than cow's milk, making them a good choice for those looking to manage their calorie intake. Plant based milks are also great to take with protein shakes and other supplements.

Photo by Ron Lach

Lower in Saturated Fat

Plant-based milk is generally lower in saturated fat than whole cow's milk, which can be beneficial for heart health. 

Dietary Variety

Plant based milk options offer a wide variety of flavours and nutrient profiles, so you can choose the one that best fits your taste preferences and nutritional needs. If you're someone who loves to bake and cannot use cows milk, check out this vegan-friendly guide for how to use plant based milks in baking. This guide even covers lesser-known plant based milks such as hemp, pea and rice milks, etc.

Added Nutrients

Some plant-based milk products are fortified with essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, which can help ensure you get the nutrients you might miss from cow's milk. 

Environmental Impact

Producing plant based milk typically has a lower environmental footprint than dairy milk in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption. This can be an environmentally conscious choice. 

Nowadays, you can have plant based milks included in your milk delivery and with services such as Modern Milkman, you can even get the tea delivered too with their handy tea delivery service. You can even read about what is the best plant based milk for tea, so that you can always have the perfect cuppa.

Do you use plant based milks in your diet?