life
W
alk down any store’s dairy
HEALTH & WELLNESS
from other sources as well as calcium.”
But, if you can consume animal
aisle, and you will soon
milk, it does contain beneficial
But, she notes, “Cow milk contains im-
discover that there are more
components such as immunoglobu-
portant nutrients, especially for growing
non-dairy milks than ever before. Which
lin, Lactoferrin and some naturally
children.”
is better: coconut, almond, oat, soy? Or
occurring vitamin D. Animal milk has
is traditional cow’s milk best? Most con-
naturally occurring carbohydrates, and
for you? Check out the nutritional
sumers don’t really want to stand in the
non-dairy alternatives often have sugar
diagram below of the most popular
refrigerated section for 10 minutes trying
added to them to increase sweetness,
milk options. All nutritional facts
to read all the labels and figure out which
similar to how sugar is also added to
are for 1 cup and are from un-
is best for their dietary needs.
chocolate milk. However, non-dairy
sweetened products — sugar
Still a little unsure which is right
We’ve done the hard work for you!
alternatives can also have bioactive
content will be higher for
We discussed the nutritional differences
compounds and added vitamins and
non-dairy milks that are
between dairy and non-dairy milks with
minerals that are good for the body.
sweetened.
Bongkosh Vardhanabhuti, a food science
Ultimately, “the ‘best milk’ depends
professor at the University of Missouri. One trend that she notices? “Almond milk is gaining popularity along with
on preference,” Vardahanabhuti says. “Say that almond milk doesn’t have protein, the person could get protein
other milk alternatives,” Vardhanabhuti says. While some people prefer non-dairy milk for nutritional or ethical reasons, others actually cannot drink animal milk, including cow and goat milk. This can be due to two reasons, she says. The first is lactose intolerance, which is actually a symptom rather than a condition. This symptom is a result of the body not having enough of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose, the main
COMPARE FOR YOURSELF
sugar in milk. For these peo-
Protein
Sugar
Fat
Calcium
1% COW MILK
8.22 g
12.7 g
2.37 g
305 mg
SOY
6.34 g
8.91 g
3.59 g
300 mg
OAT
2g
4g
1.5 g
350 mg
ALMOND
1.44 g
0g
2.68 g
481 mg
CASHEW
<1 g
0g
4g
130 mg
0.152 g
6.1 g
5.08 g
459 mg
ple, the bacteria already present in the digestive system can also break down lactose, but it results in symptoms such as gas, stomachache, bloating or diarrhea. Milk alternatives do not have lactose, so people who are lactose-intolerant can drink them. The second reason people cannot consume animal milk is if they have a milk allergy.
COCONUT
“Unlike lactose intolerance, milk allergies involve the immune system and can be life-threatening,” Vardhanabhuti says. Other common allergies include peanut and soy protein allergies.
INSIDE COLUMBIA DECEMBER 2019 39