It’s world plant milk day on August 22nd. Did you know there was an entire day dedicated to non-dairy milk? And we’re so glad it’s here! Plant Milk Day was established by Plant Based News – everyone’s favourite plant-based publication – a couple of years ago as a partnership campaign with ProVeg. Since then, plant milk day has gained more and more momentum every year and is now joined by switch4good – an initiative encouraging people to live a healthier, dairy free lifestyle. As proud members of the dairy-free and plant-based community, we support this team working towards making positive change to our health, that of the planet, and our animals too.
Plant milk encompasses milk substitutions/simulants that are vegan, plant-based and dairy-free. There are also countless alternatives to cater for different allergies. We’ve come a long way since animal milk, and everyone seems to have their own favourite! According to IRI data, the non-dairy segment has a 38 per cent penetration in the milk market, and is up 3.1 per cent versus 2020. Much like the plant-based and vegan space for food products, the plant-based milk market is set to skyrocket as people become increasingly aware of the benefits to their own health, and the health of our planet. You can read more about the growth of our plant-based sector here.
Why do people choose plant milk? It’s a matter of choice, and a conscious decision to live a better life. Reasons to choose plant milk could include:
Milk allergies – Common in children especially under the age of three (2-3% of children are allergic to cow’s milk and 80% of children outgrow this by adulthood)
Lactose intolerance – an estimated 75% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant. Lactose is the sugar found in milk that intolerance sufferers can’t adequately digest.
Dietary considerations – Some people may cut out animal milk for dietary reasons. Those following vegan and plant-based diets are among this group. This group may be cutting out animal milk for ethical and/or health reasons.
Health considerations – Research indicates that animal milk (especially cow’s milk) may carry contaminants such as antibiotics, pesticides and hormones. This is a common motivation to find a plant based alternative, and this goes for food containing animal products as well.
Our top 5 most used plant milks are:
1. Soy Milk
Soy milk is the original plant milk, and the milk most people associate with being ‘non-dairy’. It’s been in the marketplace for longer than the newer plant milks, and consumers love it’s mild and creamy flavour. Soy milk is made from soybeans or soy protein isolate, however it usually contains thickeners and vegetable oils to improve consistency. It contains a similar amount of protein compared to cow’s milk, and provides the body with essential amino acids. Soy milk should be consumed in moderation, as soy products are gaining notoriety as being a controversial product due to their links to negative impacts on women’s health. We encourage our customers to undertake their own research before consuming any variation to their diet.
2. Almond Milk
As the name suggests, almond milk is made from almonds, so naturally it isn’t suitable for anyone with a tree nut allergy. It has a slightly sweet flavour with a light and creamy texture. It’s a great health food as it contains less than a quarter of the caliroies and less than half the fat of regular cow’s milk. Although it is lower in protein, it is also significantly lower in carbohydrates so it makes for a great diet product for weight loss. The best products on the market have a higher concentration of almonds. Many on supermarket shelves only contain around 2% almonds. Look out for the almond content vs water content when selecting your almond milk.
3. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk can have a sweet but subtle coconut flavour with a creamy texture. Again, it’s a great milk product for diet conscious customers as it contains no protein and little to no carbohydrates. 90% of the calories from coconut milk come from saturated fat, including MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) which may help reduce appetite, assist with weight loss, and improve blood cholesterol levels. It is made from the white flesh and water of the coconut and can be found in a variety of different strengths – some better suited for cooking and some better suited for drinking.
4. Oat Milk
Oat milk is the talk of the town at the moment! It is made from oats and water but may also contain extra ingredients including gums, oils and salt to improve texture and flavour. There’s some great products on the market, but oat milk is pretty easy to make at home too! Oat milk can be used in the same way you would use cow’s milk. It contains similar calories, but up to double the amount of carbohydrates. It also has around half the amount of protein and fat. Oat milk is high in fibre and can assist with digestion, but also allows the body to feel more full and may decrease blood sugar levels.
5. Rice Milk
Rice milk is a great contender for plant-milk as it is the safest milk alternative. It contains no soy, gluten, dairy or nuts making it a great option for people with allergies. Milk and sweet in flavour, it can be used in most cases where one would use cow’s milk. It has a similar calorie content, but double the carbohydrates to cows milk. It is lower in fat and protein. It isn’t suitable for people with diabetes as consumption rapidly raises blood sugar levels and is absorbed quickly in the gut. Rice milk should be consumed in moderation, especially for those who already consume a lot of rice in their every day diet.
When introducing a new product into your diet, be sure to consult your doctor to make sure the product is appropriate for your diet and lifestyle.
World Plant Milk Day encourages people to take the challenge of going dairy-free for 7 days. We’re happy to be able to help assist your dairy-free challenge here at MyLife BioCheese!
References:
https://www.worldplantmilkday.com/
https://www.c-store.com.au/a-fast-growing-taste-for-plant-based-milk/
https://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/plant-based-milk-continues-to-rise/