There is an increasing availability of plant-based milk. Every self-respecting café owner offers it on the menu, foodies blog about it, and supermarkets sell it. What advantages does plant-based milk have over those from cows, though? Can any benefits be found?
Plant-based milk substitutes are growing in popularity, which can be an affordable alternative for those in low-income groups in developing nations and locations where the supply of cow’s milk is insufficient.
Even though many novel plant-based food and beverage products are being used as a substitute for cow’s milk, many have technological problems, whether processing or storage-related.
Compared to cow’s milk, most of these milk substitutes lack nutritional balance; nevertheless, they contain functionally active ingredients with health-promoting characteristics, which appeals to consumers concerned about their health. However, sensory acceptability in the case of milk substitutes made from legumes is a significant barrier to their widespread acceptance.
HOW DOES PLANT-BASED MILK WORK?
The well-known cow milk can be replaced with plant-based milk to avoid lactose. There are many benefits to choosing this plant-based option. Being lactose intolerant is the most pressing cause, which doctors can now quickly diagnose. The excellent flavour and reduced fat content of most plant-based milk are further factors. Plant-based milk is also a perfect option for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
WHERE DO THE ADVANTAGES OF PLANT-BASED MILK LIE?
It contains many vitamins and minerals.
Most have healthy ratios of mono- and polyunsaturated fats, are low in fat, and do not include cholesterol.
Perfect for those with sluggish digestion.
Some types of plant based milk include:-
Soy milk: When baking or cooking, soy milk can be used as a direct replacement for cow’s milk. Regarding protein and fat, it is the same consistency.
Almond milk is a highly healthy milk alternative. Vitamins, magnesium, iron, protein, and fibre are all abundant in this food. In addition, it is pretty creamy by nature!
Coconut milk: Coconut milk is well-liked and frequently commended for its health advantages. Among other things, it is known to help the immune system. In addition, coconut milk naturally tastes delicious and creamy.
Rice milk: People frequently choose rice milk due to its sweet flavour. For baking or breakfast preparations, it works beautifully. However, as opposed to cow milk, it doesn’t have as much calcium or protein.
Making oat milk involves blending oats and water and filtering the resulting liquid. However, the saturated fat content is minimal.
Oat milk is a rich source of fibre since it contains beta-glucan, unlike most plant-based milk. In addition, the ability of beta-glucan to lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar has been demonstrated.
Due to its higher carbohydrate content than cow’s milk, oat milk has a naturally sweet flavour. Therefore, oat milk can function well in place of cow’s milk in recipes because of its unique qualities.
Since oat milk is the creamiest among plant-based milk, it is an attractive option for meals that call for a creamy texture.
Oat milk offers almost half the protein of dairy milk, averaging only four grammes per serving. However, oat milk often contains little calcium, so look for one that has been added. Additionally, pick one that has been fortified with more protein.
