(also referred to as...)
Almond Milk, Oat Milk, Potato Milk, Rice Milk, Soy Milk
Description
Non-dairy milks are becoming increasingly common as people with lactose intolerance and/or gluten sensitivities seek out viable alternatives. The following milks can replace dairy milk in almost any situation. Soy milk nicely complements cereal and makes for a tasty smoothie. Rice milk is often used in baking recipes. And almond milk is simply indulgent!
These milks often contain organic ingredients and may be free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) -- an important consideration in considering one's long term health.
Many non-dairy milks are now fortified with calcium, vitamins A, D, B2, B12 and zinc. Fortification is most common in rice and soy milk and typically matches levels found in cow's milk.
Almond Milk
Almond milk is similar to rice milk in qualities and its smooth, yet complex, flavour makes it rather unique. Almond milk is commonly used as an alternative in dessert recipes and other sweet dishes, fruit shakes, and breakfast smoothies. It is ideal for use with bread, cookie, muffin, pancake, and waffles recipes and works very well with sweet puddings and dessert sauces. Almond milk's sweet, nutty, flavour may unbalance the flavour of some main dishes. You may have to experiment...
Almond milk often contains the following ingredients: filtered water, brown rice syrup (sweetener), almonds (may be organic), and sea salt. You may also find safflower or canola oil, carageenan (sea vegetable), guar gum (stabilizer and thickener derived from legume seeds), and xantham gum (stabilizer and thickener derived from fermented corn sugar).
Almond milk is available in aseptic boxes about 1 litre in size. The sealed box often has a shelf life of over one year and does not require refrigeration when sealed.
Oat Milk
Oat milk is one of the more neutral tasting non-dairy milks. This heat stable milk can be used in a variety of dishes and works very well with mashed potatoes, casseroles, and other main dishes.
Oat milk often contains the following ingredients: spring water, oats (often organic), and canola oil.
Oat milk is available in aseptic boxes about 1 litre in size. The sealed box often has a shelf life of over one year and does not require refrigeration when sealed.
Potato Milk
Potato milk may be available in some areas. It is used in casseroles, soups, and other "hearty" dishes. This milk works well with mashed potatoes, too!
Potato milk is available in aseptic boxes about 1 litre in size. The sealed box often has a shelf life of over one year and does not require refrigeration when sealed.
Rice Milk
Rice milk is one of the most popular non-dairy milks. It has a refreshing, sweet, flavour and this heat stable milk is often used as a dairy alternative in baking recipes. Rice milk is most commonly used as a breakfast cereal alternative and makes for a great fruit shake or breakfast smoothie. It is ideal for use with bread, cookie, muffin, pancake, waffle, and sweet dessert recipes. Rice milk's sweet flavour may make it unsuitable for delicate cream sauces and soups, mashed potatoes, quiches, and some casseroles. Try oat milk instead (see above).
Some brands of rice milk are gluten free -- be sure to check the label and note whether the brown rice syrup has been converted with barley, which contains gluten, or a gluten-free natural enzyme.
Rice milk often contains the following ingredients: filtered water, brown rice syrup (sweetener), rice starch or brown rice (often organic), and sea salt. You may also find safflower or canola oil, pea protein, carageenan (sea vegetable), guar gum (stabilizer and thickener derived from legume seeds), and xantham gum (stabilizer and thickener derived from fermented corn sugar).
Rice milk is available in aseptic boxes about 1 litre in size. 250mL "juice boxes" are also available and make for a healthy addition to your child's lunchbox. Common flavours include original/natural, vanilla, chocolate/cocoa, and carob and are available in both sizes. Most brands are fortified with calcium, vitamins A, D, B2, B12 and zinc. The sealed box often has a shelf life of over one year and does not require refrigeration when sealed. Once opened, rice milk lasts approximately ten to fourteen days.
Soy Milk
Along with rice milk, soy milk is one of the most popular milk alternatives and has a nutty, delicately sweet, flavour. This heat stable milk is a good dairy replacement in many dishes -- it will not break down when heated, but forms a "skin" very quickly. Soy milk is most commonly used as a breakfast cereal alternative and makes for a great fruit shake or breakfast smoothie. It also works well with breads, cornbread, muffins, whole grain pancake and waffles, curries, high-flavour cheese sauces, and baked goods with strong flavours (spice cakes, bar cookies, pumpkin tea breads, et cetera). Soy milk's distinguished flavour makes it less appropriate for white sauces, mashed potatoes, cream soups, and delicate desserts.
Soy milk often contains the following ingredients: filtered water, soy beans (often organic), brown rice syrup (sweetener), and sea salt. You may also find soy protein, malted barley, carageenan (sea vegetable), kombu (sea vegetable), sunflower, safflower, or canola oil, and Job's Tears (cereal grain related to millet).
Soy is also well known for its isoflavone content -- natural estrogens that help balance hormone levels, especially in women. In addition, soy products contain Genistein, a powerful inhibitor of cell proliferation, where unchecked growth is often referred to as cancer. For more information on this rather incredible bean, see the dedicated section on Soy.
Soy milk is available in aseptic boxes about 1 litre in size, aseptic concentrates, refrigerated fresh, and powdered form. 250mL "juice boxes" are also available and make for a healthy addition to your child's lunch box. Common flavours include original/natural, vanilla, chocolate/cocoa, and carob and are available in both sizes. Most brands are fortified with calcium, vitamins A, D, B2, B12 and zinc. The sealed box often has a shelf life of over one year and does not require refrigeration when sealed. Once opened, soy milk lasts approximately ten to fourteen days. Powdered soy milk is quickly becoming a pantry staple due to its convenience.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
People with lactose intolerance and/or gluten sensitivities often use non-dairy milks as viable alternatives. Due to their versatility, non-dairy milks can replace dairy products in almost every situation.
Soy milk's isoflavone properties make it appropriate for balancing hormones, particularly in women. Isoflavones act as weak estrogens and may prove useful in dealing with premenstrual syndrome and menopause.
As a result of adhering to a non-meat/non-animal consumption lifestyle, vegetarians and vegans use non-dairy milks in meals.
Non-dairy milks can also be used simply as an interesting alternative to cow or goat milk. You will find the personality of your dish changes depending on the type of milk you choose. Many times, you may be pleasantly surprised. Experiment and enjoy!
Ailment / Situation Listing
See also
Non-Dairy Foods
