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We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. The Best Milk Alternatives to Pour in Your Coffee, Cereal, and Smoothies, According to a Dietitian Dairy-free options that are delicious and healthy. Plant-based alternatives to cow’s milk have been a thing for a while now, and the benefit of this trend is that there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re lactose-free, vegan, or have an allergy, grocery stores definitely have something to suit your needs. Consuming fewer calories can be a good thing if you’re guzzling iced coffee with unsweetened almond milk all day, but may be less desirable if you’re looking for a nutritious addition to your morning bowl of steel-cut oats.
As a registered dietitian, my main piece of advice is this: Don’t be swayed by trendy marketing claims on packaging. By the way: There’s an ongoing controversy about the labeling of plant-based milks. 80 calories per cup with 8g plant-based protein from soybeans. Soy milk is made by soaking and blending these little beans and straining out the leftover pulp before consuming. A new kid on the block in the world of plant-based milks, pea milk is made from pea protein isolate, water, and other emulsifiers like algal oil, sunflower oil, and guar and gellan gums.
It’s as creamy as soy with a slightly less nutty taste for 70 calories per cup. The use of algal oil provides DHA, a key omega-3 fatty acid that’s linked to immunity, heart health, and cognition. The unsweetened versions pack up to 8g protein from a nutrient-dense source. The trendiest blend of the bunch, oat milk is a creamy, lightly flavored addition to coffee, tea, cereal, or a homemade smoothie. Most commercial almond milks range between 35-90 calories per cup and there are loads of blends and unsweetened versions to choose from. They’re mostly made from almonds and water, plus other emulsifiers and fortifying nutrients.
Cashew milk is particularly tasty in tea or homemade tea lattes. Try it with matcha for a little midday boost of L-theanine, a compound found in matcha which is linked to cognition and focus. Peanuts are like the crown jewel of foods, since they’re good for both you and the planet. At 70 calories per cup, flax milk contains a little more than meets the eye. Most store-bought versions are made from a combination of water, flaxseed oil, and pea protein, which makes it similar in nutrient composition to pea milk.
Out of all of the hemp products currently on the market, hemp milk is a solid choice from a nutritional POV. Rice milk is made by blending rice with water. It’s often lower in calories than other milk alternatives in its unsweetened form, but since the flavor is very mild, most versions contain added sugar. You may be better off with an alternative grain blend unless you’re avoiding nuts, seeds, or legumes because of an allergy. It tastes a little more earthy than other types of milks and packs 3g of plant-based protein for 120 calories. Use it in tea or coffee to shake up your morning routine, or in smoothies to balance out sweet-tasting fruits. Fans of this milk say it’s creamier than some other plant-based milks—making it a nice add-on for coffee drinks.
The unsweetened type has 40 cals in 8 ounces, 3. 5g fat, 100mg sodium, no fiber or sugar, and 1g protein. Pistachio milk may be harder to find than other plant-based types. Fans of this nut milk like its creaminess and the fact that you can froth it for lattes. Unsweetened varieties of hazelnut milk have about 30 calories per cup, with 3g fat, 90mg sodium, 1g each of fiber and protein.