The 5 Best Alternatives to Cow’s Milk

More and more people are deciding to give up dairy products. There are plenty of reasons to do it, ranging from milk allergies and lactose intolerance to ethical principles. But what does science say about drinking cow’s milk? What are the non-dairy alternatives?

What is cow’s milk composed of?

Milk is an extremely complex food:

100 g of cow’s milk contains…

- 87 g water

- 3 g protein

- 4 g fat (approx. 50% of which is made up of saturated fatty acids like palmitic acid, about 25% is unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, and the rest is polyunsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid)

- 5 g carbohydrate (primarily lactose)

- Vitamins like A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6; biotin, folic acid, B12, C, D, E, and K.

- Minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, and chloride.

Trace elements like iron, copper, zinc, manganese, fluoride, and iodine.

Good to know:

The hormones contained in dairy milk have led to a lot of discussions about milk how and how much we consume. Two hormones found in milk are estrogen and progesterone, which our body produces as sex hormones. Others include bioactive hormones, such as insulin and prostaglandin.⁽¹⁾

What causes dairy allergies and sensitivities?

There is a difference between an allergy to milk or dairy products and lactose intolerance. If someone is intolerant, the problems are caused by lactose. An allergy, on the other hand, is a reaction to certain proteins in the milk. Allergens in milk include casein, beta-lactoglobulin, and alpha-lactalbumin. The body reacts by fighting harmless proteins, which then creates allergic symptoms.⁽²⁾

How much cow’s milk and dairy products can I consume per day?

According to the Harvard University’s “Healthy Eating Plate,” one to two servings of dairy products are recommended per day. An example would be: ¼ liter of low-fat milk or 250 g of low-fat yogurt/buttermilk and 2 to 3 slices of cheese (= 50 to 60 g) with 45% fat in dry matter (FDM).

What does the research say about drinking cow’s milk? What are the risks?

Drinking too much milk can be bad for our health:

- Several studies have proven that the consumption of milk plays a role in the formation of acne.^(3,4,5)

- Drinking too much milk has also been shown to increase the risk of ovarian and prostate cancer.⁽⁶⁾

There is no scientific evidence that women who drink more milk have higher bone density.⁽⁷⁾

Plant-based milk substitutes: What ingredients should I avoid?

Many plant-based milk alternatives provide similar nutrients and can be just as nutritious as conventional cow’s milk when consumed in moderation. It is important to stay away from alternatives with hidden ingredients that can have a negative impact on your health. These include:

Sugar: Sugar is disguised by many names (e.g. sucrose, dextrose, glucose, fructose, fructose syrup, glucose syrup, maltodextrin, lactose, maltose, etc.) Sugar addiction is a real problem, which it why it is advisable to avoid added sugar as much as possible. You should completely stay away from artificial sweeteners.
Natural flavors: These include flavor constituents derived from plant or animal products. However, they no longer have anything in common with the food they come from, aside from the same chemical components.
Stabilizers like gellan gum: Gellan gum is a polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea. It has the E-number 418 and is frequently combined with the thickening agent xanthan gum, which can have a laxative effect when consumed in large amounts.
Acid regulators: Acid regulators, such as phosphates, are added to milk alternatives to maintain the pH during storage. However, here is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of high concentrations of phosphates as a food additive, which is why they should only be consumed in small amounts.

Remember to always read the list of ingredients before you purchase milk alternatives.

What are the best plant-based alternatives to dairy milk?

1. Coconut milk

Coconut milk is a good dairy-free option available in your supermarket. It’s made by blending coconut meat and is a good source of nutrients, including magnesium, iron, and potassium. Coconut milk also contains lauric acid, a rare medium-chain fatty acid that is easily absorbed by the body and used for energy.

It should be noted that full-fat coconut milk is high in calories, and although it comes with many health benefits, you should stick to smaller portions.⁽⁸⁾ When buying coconut milk, look for pure, organic coconut milk, which is commonly sold in a can.

Good to know:

Even though the coconut is not directly related to the walnut, people with a walnut allergy may experience allergic symptoms.

2. Almond milk

Almond milk – a mixture of finely ground almonds and water – is a particularly good alternative to cow’s milk for those with a dairy allergy. It is almost free of allergens and contains neither lactose, soy proteins, nor gluten. Almond milk has anti-inflammatory properties and may be easier to digest than dairy milk.⁽⁹⁾ The downsides of almond milk are that it is often sweetened with added sugar and fortified with many additional nutrients. Your best bet is to buy plain, organic almond milk, or even better, make your own. You can find step-by-step instructions online.

3. Goat’s milk

While goat’s milk is technically considered dairy, it may still be a good option for those who avoid milk products. These can be difficult to digest, affect your skin, or make you feel bloated. Goat’s milk is not a vegan option, but it is known to cause less inflammation and digestive issues than cow’s milk.⁽¹⁰⁾ Goat’s milk contains more short- and medium-chain fatty acids and is rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

Important:

Goat and sheep’s milk have almost the same amount of lactose as cow’s milk. People who are lactose intolerant should be careful with this milk alternative.

4. Oat milk

Oat milk is another good milk alternative, as it has neither lactose nor milk protein. Since the cereal grain is high in fiber, it also fills you up relatively quickly. Oat milk is often said to contain gluten, but is this true?

Check the facts:

The following cereals contain gluten: wheat, rye, spelt, barley, and einkorn wheat. Sometimes oats are also included on this list, because oats are often contaminated by grains that have gluten and thus contain another protein called avenin. This can induce symptoms similar to those caused by gluten intolerance. People with a gluten sensitivity need to be cautious with oat milk.

5. Soy Milk

Soy milk is a popular vegan milk alternative and is suitable for people with a lactose, milk protein, or gluten intolerance. This milk substitute is also a good source of protein and essential fatty acids. Nevertheless, soy milk faces plenty of criticism. It contains isoflavones, which have a chemical structure similar to that of the hormone estrogen, which our body produces. As a result, drinking soy milk can influence the effect of estrogen in our body – in both a positive and negative way. Don’t overdo it with this milk alternative, and never give soy products to infants or toddlers.