In the past year you’ve probably seen oat milk as the latest in vegan alternative’s to regular milk. But when it comes to its nutritional value, is this new cow milk substitute worth it compared to the renowned competitors like soy and almond milk?
For Starters… What Even Is Oat Milk?
As strange as it sounds, oat milk comes directly from oats. The most basic version is made from straining oats that have been soaked in water and then blended. The result is a creamy, oat-y liquid that is typically thicker and smoother than regular milk. It is a favorite among many vegans and individuals with food intolerances, for it is both lactose and nut free.
However, this blended drink isn’t a new creation- it’s actually been around for almost 30 years, but has most recently been making headlines thanks to an amazing advertising campaign produced by Oatly, a Swedish brand that only produces oat products. They have successfully gotten their products to be sold in grocery stores and cafes (and even sold out!) all throughout the world. You might’ve even seen some of their provocative ads, that focused on having a unique, funny yet honest message about their products and advertising.
But Is Oat Milk Actually Healthy?
Soy, almond, cashew, coconut… With so many plant based milk alternatives on the market, it can be hard to choose which one is best for your health and needs.
<When it comes to protein content, oat milk has only 3g in each 8oz cup, which is much lower than soy (7g) and regular milk (8g), However, it is more than vegan competitors like almond milk and coconut milk, which both only have about 1g of protein- yikes! Therefore, if you are drinking milk as a protein source, it is best to have another protein like an egg to supplement the missed grams from choosing oat over regular milk.
If you are also going for a low carbohydrate diet, oat milk is not the right pick for you. It has many more carbs and almost triple the calories that almond milk and coconut milk have.
Any Benefits At All?
Before writing off oat milk entirely, oat milk does have a serious advantage over the other vegan milks for people with food allergies. Oat milk is free of nuts, gluten, and lactose, making it a safe alternative for almost all diet sensitivities.
Additionally, oat milk has a creamier texture and sweeter flavor than most the other plant based alternatives, making it a perfect substitution to use for your coffee or in any baking recipe. If you don’t want to pay the higher price for oat milk, you can also easily make it at home yourself with this delicious recipe.
Photos: Freepik
