Plant-based milk alternatives an emerging segment

Plant-based or non-dairy milk alternative is the fast growing segment in newer food product development category of functional and specialty beverage across the globe. Nowadays, cow milk allergy, lactose intolerance, calorie concern and prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, more preference to vegan diets has influenced consumers towards choosing cow milk alternatives. Plant-based milk alternatives are a rising trend, which can serve as an inexpensive alternate. Here is an collection of top 10 milk substitutes available in domestic and international market

Top Ten Healthiest Vegan Milk Alternatives to Dairy

Flax milk is rich in Alpha Linoleic acids, a group of Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been consistently shown in studies to ameliorate the effects of inflammation on the body. That means that flax milk could be good for people with inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune conditions as well as skin conditions like severe acne.

Flax milk has just as much calcium in it as regular milk, making it a sensible option for people who wish to maintain healthy, adequate levels of calcium. Most flax milk is produced by organic, ethically responsible companies that use non-gmo flax.

And best of all, it is actually quite creamy and delicious – it tastes absolutely delicious when blended with smoothies. A great choice the whole family can enjoy.

Oat milk is a very nutritious milk made from the grains of the oatmeal cereal. Oats are very immune system friendly; studies have proven that eating oats actually reduces the your “bad” cholesterol levels while raising your “good” cholesterol levels.

Oat milk is a powerhouse of protein, with around 4-5g of healthy plant protein per serving. It is also extremely high in soluble fiber, which allows for healthy digestion and promotes “regularity.”

Unfortunately, people with gluten intolerance should avoid oat milk; although oat does not regularly contain gluten itself, most oats in the US are grown in the same fields as wheat, and are thus regularly contaminated with wheat. Many oat milks are fortified with Vitamin D, making oat milks a healthy, sensible alternative to regular dairy milks.

Macadenia nut milk A milk that is not as common on grocery store shelves as oat milk and other health-conscious dairy alternative milks, macadamia nut milk is a nutritional powerhouse of antioxidants, omega-6 fatty acids, and photochemical guaranteed to improve your health. Although high in fat per serving, the fats are plant-based, which is usually a good sign that the fats are not “saturated fats” or “trans fats.”

Additionally, macadamia nut milk is totally delicious! On its own, it resembles a semi-sweet, exotic type of beverage. I suggest adding cinnamon and vanilla to it, as well as fruit if you want to make a smoothie – I guarantee your taste buds will be blown away with the savory, crisp, creamy goodness of this healthy, rising-in-popularity vegan alternative to dairy milk.

Coconut nut : Derived from the fruit of the exotic coconut, this milk has become a staple in the kitchens of health fanatics, dairy-free people, and vegans the world over. Coconut milk is rich in essential minerals, including manganese, selenium, copper, even zinc and iron (though plant-based iron is absorbed less than meat-based iron).

Coconut milk is also low in sugar, and does not even contain fructose, a common sugar found in many fruits, particularly grapes, blackberries, apples, and bananas. Although it is not as high in calcium as other vegan dairy milk alternatives, it is still a good source of calcium.

Rice milk: A staple among people who enjoy milks that are both gluten and dairy free, rice milk is a very common, healthy, and nutritionally wise option for those seeking an alternative to conventional dairy and milk products. As products like macadamia nut milk and coconut milk tend to be more expensive, rice milk, made from one of the world’s most common and frequently cultivated grains, is typically found at a cheaper price point than other dairy-free milks.

Rice milk enjoys a healthy blend of carbohydrates and protein, boasting a very minimal amount of fat per serving, unlike other vegan milks such as almond and macadamia nut milk. Best served when blended in with the powerhouses of kale, berries, bananas, flax seeds, and avocados, rice milk is a delicious, healthy beginning for anyone trying to find a healthy alternative to milk products.

Cashew milk: Like macadamia nut milk, cashew milk is not only made from nuts, but also it is seen less frequently on store shelves than rice, coconut, and oat milks.

Considering that cashew milk is a powerhouse of healthy proteins, high in calcium, and generally one of the healthiest foods in the entire world, I absolutely believe it should be seen more frequently on store shelves. Even better, it is an insanely tasty milk beverage, very creamy, and is frequently described as being far more satisfying than conventional milk products.

Hemp milk ;A milk that is rapidly rising in popularity, hemp milk, derived from the seeds of the hemp plant, is the preferred dairy alternative by a leading number of health experts

Hemp milk contains ten essential amino acids, making it an ideal choice for vegan athletes and bodybuilders of any dietary persuasion who are constantly needing to refuel and build muscle. Hemp milk also contains a very ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, and also contains a good deal of thiamin, niacin, calcium, fiber, potassium, etc. A great choice for the health-conscious person, hemp milk is a great way to get all of your essential vitamins and minerals.

Hazelnut milk, derived from the flavorful hazelnut, is an excellent source of healthy carbohydrates as well as calcium. The taste is absolutely heavenly, and it has supreme nutrition over a number of other vegan milk alternatives.

hazelnut milk is becoming the new “it” milk in California, with a number of coffee houses employing the milk for their own coffees since it tastes better and more agreeably with coffee than conventional dairy milk. Considering that hazelnut flavored coffee is among the most popular brands of coffee in the world, it comes as no surprise that hazelnut milk offers a wonderful alternative to regular milk in flavoring the coffees of independent roasters and shops throughout the world.

Soya milk: A staple among vegan, vegetarian, and health-conscious bodybuilders, soy milk, derived from edamame, provides more protein than a regular glass of milk as well as a decent amount of calcium. Soy milk also resembles the taste of regular milk more than conventional milk.

There is a great deal of debate about whether soy is a healthy option for people to consume. Certainly, people with soy allergies must stay away from soy milk. Otherwise, choose a soy milk that is free from GMOs and derived from organic edamame.

Soy milk is a great source of all of the following nutrients: manganese, magnesium, choline, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, phosphorus, selenium, and potassium.

Almond milk: Possibly the most widely consumed milk and dairy alternative, almond milk is a creamy, sweet, healthy, and nutritional powerhouse among foods. Almond milk is guaranteed to make every blended smoothie have an edge of sweetness to it that it would not get from conventional milk. The fats in almond milk are healthy omega-6 fats and not saturated fats, which have been shown in studies to have a negative effect on cholesterol as well as on the heart.

Almond milk is also rich in antioxidants including vitamin E, which is crucial for staving off age-promoting free radicals.

Lastly, for those looking for a tasty beverage to consume while losing weight, almond milk is your absolute best friend, containing only 30 calories per serving. Wow! Who knew something so tasty and healthy could have so few calories.