Dairy Free Milk.

Dairy Free Milk

Oat Milk:
Oat milk is made from soaked oats, which is believed to help decrease heart diseases and cancer, oat milk can be a great health benefit.
It is described as the tastiest vegan alternative milk, without an over powering taste, but still sweet.
Oat milk is dairy & lactose free.
Oat milk is high in fibre, folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin A (double the amount as cows milk) & completely cholesterol free & low in fat.
Oat milk is not gluten free & contains less protein then cow's milk and is higher in sugar compared to other milks.
Some brands of oat milk contains very low calcium levels, and some brands contain just as much as cow's milk, some brands of oat milk contain very processed ingredients, including guar gum, xanthan gum, and carob bean gum as well. Something to be aware of when looking at different brands,

Rice Milk:
Rice milk is considered one of the healthiest dairy free alternative milks because it's saturated fat, cholesterol and lactose free. Rice milk also contains no sugar.
It is made from brown rice, which is naturally high of vitamin B, but because of this rice milk is not recommended for those with diabetes as it contains 3-4 times the amount of carbohydrates of any other milk
Again, rice milk can be low in calcium and protein so best to look for a fortified brand if you would like to increase the calcium and protein levels.
Rice milk is considered a high Gi food and has low vitamin A levels.

Soy Milk:
Soy milk can be very controversial and has alot of myths and facts around it, although it is the most common dairy free alternative, but I do acknowledge that not everyone agrees.
Because, again, it's made from a plant based product, it is lower in saturated fats & cholesterol. And is a good sourse of iron and fibre.
Societies that rely heavily on soy based products, use traditional methods to prepare and ferment the soy beans into audible products to break down enzymes & anti-nutrients.
Industrial processes include bleaching the soy beans, pumping them with additives and deodorising them, creating more dangerous chemicals. This is not how it is prepared in Asian countries.
Soy milk contains an estrogen like substance's, isoflavones. Because soy protein is in so many of the products we eat (check the ingredient list of a few foods you eat) it's easy for us to overdose on this estrogen substance if we add soy milk into our diet as well, causing a hormone imbalance, especially for younger children.

Almond Milk:
Almond milk is one of the oldest dairy free milks around and came about in the middle ages. It also has the least amount of calories and highest amount of calcium compared to other dairy free milks.
Almond milk is made from finely grounded almonds and water and strained to remove skins and sediments.
Almond milk is not fortified because it contains so many natural minerals and vitamins with a high amount of vitamin A,B & E & calcium.
It also contains no lactose or cholesterol and is high in antioxidants,  but very low in protein.
It is also highly recommended to make almond milk at home because some brands contain added sugar and high sodium levels.

Coconut Milk:
Coconut milk is made from brown coconuts, the coconut flesh is grated and soaked in hot water and then squeezed through a cheesecloth.  Coconut milk is perfect for smoothies, milkshakes and of course those that have trouble with milk or lactose products.
Coconut milk contains a high amount of saturated fat, almost double the amount as other milks, although the saturated fat that it does contain is known as an 'energy' fat rather then a 'stored' fat. It makes a glass of coconut milk anywhere between 400-500 calories, four times the amount of some other milks. It is recommended for growing children and those trying to gain weight. However, you can also buy 'lite coconut milk' which only contains about a third of the calories and fat.
Coconut milk has no cholesterol (although because of the high amount of saturated fat this may raise blood cholesterol levels, if cholesterol is an issue), fibre, carbs, sugars or protein.

Hemp Milk:
Hemp milk is made from hemp seeds and water that creates a slight nutty taste. It doesn't contain or is associated with THC at all.  Hemp milk is known to be one of the easiest milks to digest.
Hemp milk is high in iron, protein, Omega 3 and Omega 6 and contains other minerals and vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E & B12, zinc & folic acid & much more. It is low in sodium and no sugar. It also, like all the other milks, has no cholesterol.
Aside from the vitamins and minerals it contains, hemp milk also contain anti-inflammatory agents and help with blood circulation.
Hemp milk is about 60-110 calories per serving depending on the brand. This is around about the same amount as skim milk. It can come in original, vanilla and chocolate flavours.
Hemp milk does contain some thickeners.
Hemp milk is one of the most expensive milks you can buy on the market, especially if you have to buy it out of the country.

Goats Milk:
Goats milk contains different proteins and fats to cows milk. And the fat proteins the goats milk are very, very small which makes it easier on the gut to break down. This makes it easier for people to digest. And recommended for people with sensitive stomachs and digestive problems.
Goats Milk is high in phosphorus, zinc and fatty acid. Goats milk has slightly more vitamins, minerals and calcium as cows milk. Especially vitamin A and B2.
Goats Milk still contains a lactose, but a more 'natural' lactose, similar to lactose found in breastmilk and less lactose then cows milk.
Goats Milk is known to regenerate haemoglobin.