Looking for an alternative to your regular milk? Long gone are the days where you'd be hard pushed to find a milk substitute. There's a huge range of dairy-free alternatives to milk lining our supermarket and health food store shelves. We're talking you through the best alternatives to milk here.
The Best Alternatives to Milk
It's not just people that have an aversion to dairy that are adding milk substitues to their shopping bags. Boasting a wealth of health benefits, lots of folk are going mad for the likes of coconut milk, nut milks and rice and oat milk, using them at brekkie, in baking and adding them to their coffees and smoothies. We're going to talk you through some of the best alternatives to milk below.
Sometimes it's hard to decide what the difference is between all the dairy-free alternatives to milk; what are their benefits and which one is best for you. Nut milks are by far the most popular milks currently and are tasty, nutritious alternatives to dairy milk or soya milk. Milk alternatives are excellent substitutes for porridge, baking, smoothies and hot beverages.
Most of the nut milks are generally dairy free (DF), gluten free (GF), vegan (V), soya free (SF) and lower in cholesterol compared to dairy milk.
Almond Milk (DF) (GF) (V) (SF)
Almond milk is low in cholesterol and saturated fat. It is also low in sodium and high in healthy fats, such as omega fatty acids, typically found in fish Omega fatty acids can help prevent high blood pressure and heart disease. Almond milk also contains approx 1 gram of fibre per serving, which is important to encourage healthy digestion.
Coconut Milk (DF) (GF) (V) (SF)
Coconuts are highly nutritious and rich in fibre, vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 and minerals including iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. Coconut milk is a popular choice with vegans and makes a great base for smoothies, milkshakes or as a dairy alternative in baking.
Rice Milk (DF) (GF) (V) (SF)
Rice milk is a dairy free milk made from rice, surprise surprise! Rice milk is a sweet tasting and low fat way to replace cow's milk in your diet. Especially if you're lactose intolerant or adverse to consuming animal products.
Hazelnut Milk (DF) (GF) (V) (SF)
Although there is not usually any added sugar this milk is by far one of the creamiest, nuttiest and sweetest tasting milk alternatives. Hazelnut milk is great for those with a sweet tooth! We suggest using this milk for weekend treat desserts or smoothies.
Oat Milk (DF) (V) (SF)
Oat milk is one of the best alternatives to milk when it comes to tea. It's a really creamy and tasty dairy-free milk alternative so is probably the best option for your cuppa. It turns the tea a milky colour and its rich creaminess is most similar to 'dairy milk'. However, be aware those who are adhering to a Gluten Free diet, this is the only milk that contains gluten as it come from oats.
Hemp Milk (DF) (GF) (V) (SF)
Hemp milk is prepared by soaking hemp seeds and grinding them with water. As a result hemp milk has a nutty flavor and is currently the 'hot favorite' in health drinks because of the numerous benefits it offers. It is rich in Omega 3's and it also has vitamins such as A, E, D, and B12.
Looking to get your hands on some milk substitutes? Shop some of the most popular dairy-free alternatives to milk on Evergreen.ie here.
Checked and updated: 12th September 2023
