5 Alternatives to Cow’s Milk That Aren’t Soy

5 Alternatives to Cow’s Milk That Aren’t Soy

Camel, goat, hemp or pea milk? Here’s a look at how each of these beverages is a good bet.

If you’re looking for an alternative to cow’s milk, the choices can be a bit mind boggling. This is something to be thankful for, for sure, but nonetheless it can be hard to make a decision when the shelves are packed to the hilt.

Many people go for soy milk. It comes in many flavors, is easy to find and it’s affordable.

But not everyone is on the bandwagon. Some people worry about soy’s possible links to certain cancers (which haven’t really been proven, but nonetheless), and others simply don’t like the texture or taste.

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So, what to buy? Drinking milk can be an important part of our diet. Milk provides us with key ingredients such as calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus and potassium, which can be difficult to get in adequate amounts from other foods, say the professionals.

Related: Milk Can Potentially Fend Off Superbug: Tasmanian Devil’s Milk, That Is

Basically, drinking milk makes it easier for us to stay healthy. So, whether you’re looking for a milk substitute out of personal preference, or you have a milk allergy or other medical condition, you’ll want to settle on something good.

Here’s a list of 5 alternatives that aren’t soy, and their benefits:

1) Camel’s Milk

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You’re not going to find this milk in your local health food store just yet.  But the good news is that it’s about to hit the market in India, though-so, maybe it’s on its way.

NPR.org recently reported on how camel’s milk and products like camel milk soap and camel milk chocolate are about to be produced by on of India’s largest dairy brands.

Related: Cockroach Milk: The Superfood of the Future?

What are the benefits? It hasn’t been proven conclusively in a lab just yet, but camel herders in India claim that camel’s milk can do a whole host of things. The salty, gamey drink can treat Type 1 diabetes as it can help regulate blood sugar levels they say. It can also counteract the effects of things like pregnancy ailments and acid reflux.

Who knew the desert could give us something to quench our thirst and keep usnj healthy, to boot?

2) Goat’s Milk

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Goat’s milk is bountiful. It’s great because it can be easier for your body to digest than cow’s milk. This is because the fat molecules are smaller, making them easier to break down. It’s also lower in lactose than cow’s milk, which is a benefit for some.

Related: Why You Should Avoid Low Fat Milk

Goat’s milk is high in calcium and fatty acids, but low in cholesterol, and can enhance your body’s ability to absorb iron.

3) Hemp Milk

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If you’re vegan or simply looking for a non-animal derived milk, hemp milk could be your answer.

It’s made from the seeds of the hemp plant. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and packed with protein, hemp milk has a lot to offer.

4) Pea Milk

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If you’re allergy prone and need a milk substitute that isn’t animal OR nut based, consider pea milk. Ripple makes pea milk that comes in original, original unsweetened, vanilla and chocolate flavors.

It contains 8 grams of protein per serving, no sugar (in the unsweetened version), and it also actually has 50 percent more calcium in it than milk.

If it’s available in a Whole Foods near you, it just might steer you away from animal-based milk for good.

To keep you on track in terms of vitamins and nutrients, remember that your new milk should give you, at a minimum, 30 percent of the Daily Value intake for calcium and 25 percent of the Daily Value of vitamin D, to match what’s available from cow’s milk.

Photo credit: Photoongraphy/Shutterstock

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