Foods - Non-Dairy Milk - 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.