Alternatives to milk have been rising in popularity, and they have pretty good nutritional profiles, too. Some people like alternatives to dairy milk because they have an intolerance to dairy, some are vegan, and some may just like to try different things.
Milk Alternatives
Whatever your reasoning is for using an alternative to cow’s milk, there are plenty of options. They all taste slightly different from each other, so you are likely to find one that you enjoy.
Surprisingly, many of the non-dairy milk alternatives do a great job at mimicking the flavor of cow’s milk.
1. Soy Milk
Soy milk has the closest nutritional profile to cow’s milk. If you want an alternative that still has a decent amount of protein, soy milk would be your best bet. It has around seven grams per cup of protein, just one gram below regular dairy milk.
Most brands of soy milk nowadays have added vitamin D and calcium as well, the label of the soy milk should tell you this information. Soy milk is available in a variety of flavors, including vanilla and chocolate. Most of the time, there are versions of both low calorie and regular calorie soy milks.
2. Almond Milk
Almond milk is the milk alternative for those looking to lose weight. It is made from just water and ground almonds. The calories that are in almond milk come from healthy and unsaturated fats, so it tends to be thicker and creamier than other milk alternatives.
Most brands of almond milk are bonded with essential vitamins and minerals, but some may not contain the same calcium and vitamin D that soy milk does. It is also notably lower in protein–just one gram of protein per cup of almond milk.
3. Rice Milk
The flavor of rice milk is very neutral, and its texture is not as creamy. It is made by grinding rice, then filtering and blending it with water. Most of the time, rice milk is fortified to have the same amount of calcium and vitamin D as cow’s milk. But, it is also low in protein.
4. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is probably the sweetest milk alternative. It is very high in vitamins B-12 and D, but is low in protein and calcium. Despite this, coconut milk is the only milk alternative that has the same amount of saturated fats as cow’s milk.
If you want something sweet and creamy, coconut milk is the choice for you. Just remember that it has the fats to match its sweetness.
5. Hemp Milk
Hemp milk is formed by blending water with seeds from the hemp plant. Its flavor is described as nutty and earthy, and it is also creamy in texture. Hemp milk has a decent nutritional profile too, with calcium, vitamin D, and a decent amount of protein; about three grams per cup.
In addition to its already healthy nutritional profile, hemp milk also has omega-3 fatty acids, which are a key to keeping your body healthy. Hemp milk unfortunately does not taste much like cow’s milk, and can be more of an acquired taste for some people.
6. Cashew Milk
Cashew milk is one of the newest alternatives to dairy milk. It is made by blending cashews and water together, which results in a nice, creamy liquid. Oftentimes, like other milk alternatives, cashew milk is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.
There’s a good chance that your cashew milk has been fortified with vitamins A, D, and B-12. Be sure to check the label at the store to ensure this. Cashew milk is another alternative that is pretty low in protein, with one gram of protein per cup of milk.
7. Oat Milk
Oat milk is created by soaking grains of oats in water. Its taste is described as similar to cow’s milk, but sweeter. Its sweetness can make it a great addition to beverages, whether they are hot or cold.
Oat milk also has a considerable nutritional profile. First, it’s high in protein, with around four grams of protein per cup. One serving of oat milk also has 35% of the daily recommendation for calcium, and 25% of the daily recommended dose of vitamin D.
It has plenty of fiber and no saturated fats, making it a healthy alternative to cow’s milk. One thing to note is that most of the nutrients in oat milk are fortified, meaning they were added during the manufacturing process.
Best Tasting Milk Alternative
Like anything, the only person who can really decide what tastes the best is you. Oat milk, almond, and soy milk are all considered to have a taste pretty close to cow’s milk. If you like sweeter things, opt for cashew or coconut milk. And if you want something entirely different, give hemp milk a try.
What Milk Alternative Tastes the Most Like Milk?
Surprisingly, most of the milk alternatives do taste similar to dairy milk. Many people whose diets don’t require it are turned away from “non-dairy dairy,” as it is an interesting concept to create the taste of one thing using completely different ingredients.
If you want to try a milk alternative that best replicates the taste of traditional milk, go for oat, soy, or almond milk. They all have different nutritional profiles, so check out which one is best suited for your needs.
Dairy Free Milk That Tastes Like Milk
The brand Silk is best known for replicating the flavor of cow’s milk. They make almost every variety of milk alternatives listed here, and many people are surprised that Silk does not have any dairy, because of how similar its taste is.
Closest Milk Substitute
The top three milk substitutes that best replicate the taste of cow’s milk are oat milk, almond milk, and soy milk. They are all creamy with healthy nutritional profiles and can add value and taste to your diet. Taste does not always have to be sacrificed for healthier choices.
Conclusion
Recently, more and more people are giving dairy milk alternatives a try. This can be daunting, as you’ve been drinking cow’s milk for your entire life. Rest assured, there are plenty of alternatives that taste similarly to dairy milk and also have similar nutrition to it.
