Indeed, the researchers found that only pea and soy milk had higher levels of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium than even cow's milk. Of these two, pea milk was the highest - with 50 per cent more phosphorus, zinc and selenium.
1) Soy Milk
I prefer less processed foods, so favor the brands made from whole organic beans. Soy milk is also often fortified with calcium and vitamin B12. Current research indicates that soy isoflavones lower cancer risk.
Oat milk may cause side effects like gas and bloat. Additionally, it may also interact with medications used for diabetes and may cause the blood sugar levels to go too low.
“If you're trying to lean out and [are] watching your calories and carbs, then almond milk is the better choice because it's much lower in calories and carbs and won't impact your blood sugar.” And again, if your top criteria for deciding between oat milk vs almond milk is sustainability, oat milk is the better pick.
Compared with oat milk, soy milk is higher in calories, fat, protein, potassium, and iron, while oat milk is higher in carbs. Both can be a healthy and tasty choice, depending on your preferences and health concerns. Whichever you choose, opt for unsweetened products to keep your added sugar intake in check.
In terms of nutrition, soy milk is the closest non-dairy substitute for cow's milk. This is because it contains a similar amount of protein to cow's milk, but it contains half the amount of fat, calories, and carbohydrates.
A: Soy milk comes out to be one of the healthiest vegan options that can replace cow's milk. This plant-based milk comes cruelty-free and can provide you with a rich, healthy taste.
Almond milk is lower in saturated fat than coconut milk, as well as being a good source of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Coconut milk is higher in saturated fat than almond milk, but it is also a good source of iron and magnesium.
Among its pros, unsweetened almond milk is lower in carbs and sugar than a lot of other options and is a good source of polyunsaturated fats and vitamins A and E. Unsweetened varieties have no sugar and just 2.5 grams of fat.
Either soy or almond milk can be a great choice for anyone following a plant-based diet or who is lactose intolerant. But Andrews, Lorencz, and Routhenstein all favor soy. “Soy milk has more protein, more potassium, more isoflavones, and more nutrients than almond milk,” says Routhenstein.
“Furthermore, plant-based milks can be low in calcium, iodine, and vitamin B12, nutrients that are normally found in cow's milk, so have a look at the label to see if they are fortified.” In addition, some plant-based alternatives, such as almond milk, may have a negative impact on the environment.
Among the unhealthiest: Banana milk. Super high in sugar, carbs and calories, without very much fiber and protein. Outstanding flavor: Oat milk. Creamy texture, combined with a sweet, rich but mild taste give it the perfect flavor profile.
While comparing several vegan milks, Niranjan explains, “The research shows that soy and oat milk have the smallest environmental footprint. They take little water to grow and have low emissions.” That said, he emphasizes, “compared to cow's milk, the differences between these vegan milks are pretty small.
It's clear almond milk is the winner when it comes to the least calories and those looking for weight loss. This is because it is made from ground almonds and water, with research showing that it contains around 14% almonds only, with the rest water.
Soy is unique in that it contains a high concentration of isoflavones, a type of plant estrogen (phytoestrogen) that is similar in function to human estrogen but with much weaker effects. Soy isoflavones can bind to estrogen receptors in the body and cause either weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity.
All milk (whether from cows, goats, humans, or porpoises) naturally contains small amounts of various hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. Because hormones like estrogen are fat-soluble, the level of hormones is higher in whole milk than in skim milk.
Almond. Almond milk is pretty simple—it comes from soaked almonds. It's also hormone-free and in unsweetened form, contains less saturated fat and calories than milk, explains Patel—which makes it one of the safer options in the context of hormonal disruption.
Compared to animal milk, unsweetened almond milk is low in sugars and carbohydrates. It has 50% to 80% fewer calories than dairy milk while remaining similarly rich in flavor. It's considered a low glycemic index food as a result. This means almond milk is less likely to cause blood sugar spikes.
Cons of almond milk
It's not a good source of protein. It may contain carrageenan, which may cause digestive issues in some people. There are some environmental concerns about the amount of water used to cultivate almonds.
The Health Benefits of Almond Milk
"Almond milk is lactose-free, a good source of vitamin E, has a nutty flavor and is low-calorie and low-carb. Its only drawback is that it is also usually low in protein, so it is not the best option for those looking to get extra protein in their diet," says Komar.