Which vegetable milk is better not to buy: the expert revealed the features of the composition of the popular slow drink

Which vegetable milk is better not to buy: the expert revealed the features of the composition of the popular slow drink

It seems that plant milk has burst into our lives along with the healthy food trends. But the ancient Greeks and Romans drank a drink made from legumes, and almond milk is mentioned in medieval culinary treatises. Many Lenten keepers replace animal milk with oat or almond milk. We tell you what to look for when choosing.

People in ancient times learned to make milk from grains, legumes, and nuts, not least because they didn’t have the ability to store whole cow’s milk. They didn’t know about lactose intolerance at the time, they hardly thought about healthy eating in the usual sense. However, the basic technology for obtaining vegetable milk has not changed since: as a rule, suitable raw materials are ground, poured with water, filtered – voila!

Don’t take care! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Which vegetable milk is better not to buy: the expert revealed the features of the composition of the popular slow drink

OlgaPanova
nutritionist

But today there is a huge choice on the shelves of supermarkets: almond milk, hazelnut milk, soy, coconut. You can even find milk alternatives made with quinoa, hemp, and peas!

And they are drunk not only by those to whom animal milk is contraindicated for health reasons. Vegetable milk, on the one hand, is tasty, on the other hand, it makes the diet more varied, and, thirdly, it is allowed during Great Lent, although each faster decides this question for himself, especially taking into account that religious abstinence from certain foods also provides for the rejection of all sweets.

Let’s see what exactly the advantages of different types of such a product are and what you need to pay special attention to when choosing.

How to choose a vegetable milk?

The choice of this product should be approached even more carefully than the choice of plain milk. It seems to many that the presence of the terms “vegetable” and “dairy-free” on the packaging already guarantees a healthy diet, but this is not always the case. What is important to pay attention to when studying the composition of the product in the store?

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  1. Brief list of ingredients. A vegetable product made from milk, water and sea salt is an example of an ideal composition. But clearly this is not enough for storage on the supermarket shelf, so the addition of one or two safe preservatives is acceptable.
  2. No added sugar. If you choose plant-based milk as a healthier alternative to cow’s milk, the presence of sugar in it negates the benefits. It even causes weight gain. By the way, almonds and oats themselves taste sweet.
  3. No carrageenan. This substance is used as an emulsifier, often added to vegetable milk. Carrageenan is proven to increase inflammation and exacerbate gastrointestinal illnesses. In addition, its addition can change the organoleptic and even the taste of the product – demanding consumers will notice this.

With today’s rich assortment of vegetable milks, it is quite possible to choose a product without sugar and with an acceptable composition.

What should be considered when choosing a cow’s milk substitute?

We can often read that vegetable milk is good for people with various food allergies or intolerances. Note that nuts and soy are allergens themselves, so even “healthy” milk can cause a reaction.

The most common plant milks

Vegetable milk is essentially a drink made from nuts (almonds, cashews), cereals (oats, rice) or legumes (soya, peas).

Soy milk

It is most often found in cafes, as a substitute for cow’s milk. Its peculiarity is that in terms of protein content, soy is similar to animal milk, but it does not contain saturated fats. Soy milk has a low glycemic index and is suitable for diabetics and people with high cholesterol. This drink is often recommended for those with a predisposition to heart disease, as soy is high in potassium.

But such vegetable milk is not suitable for people who are gluten intolerant. In addition, the popularity of soy has led to the fact that pesticides are often used in its cultivation.

milk rice

This drink is digested better than all other vegetable milks and does not contain gluten. It contains useful vitamins, mainly of group B, and minerals. Rice drink is low in protein, but high in sugars, so you should not overdo it.

Almond milk

Almond milk is distinguished primarily by its natural sweetness and high calcium content. It is a nutritious drink with unsaturated fats, antioxidants and minerals. It does not contain gluten. It has a significant drawback – this is its rather high price.

oat milk

You can’t really call oat milk and milk, because it contains minimal protein. But its composition has serious benefits in the form of vitamin E and folic acid. This means that oat milk prolongs our youth and helps brain work. It is quite light and may be gluten-free, but should be labeled as such. With its specific taste and appearance, it is quite a healthy herbal drink.

Coconut milk

Nutritious milk, which contains a lot of everything – both protein, fiber, fat and, accordingly, calories. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation, which, however, is not difficult – coconut milk is quite expensive.

Source: The Voice Mag

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