Video:Types of Milk Substitutes
with Chris IulianoIf you avoid dairy, there are still a number of milk substitutes that you can work into your diet, both on their own and as cooking ingredients. This video from About.com will go over some of the best milk substitutes on the market.See Transcript
Transcript:Types of Milk Substitutes
Hi, I'm Chris Iuliano with About.com, and today we will be discussing the different types of milk alternatives.
Whether you have a milk allergy or are just lactose intolerant, there are many different alternatives to milk that you can use for your everyday needs. The good news is that, in most cases, you will easily be able to find them in your local supermarket, and all are dairy-free.
Milk Substitutes: Almond Milk
First, there is almond milk. This can be used in your morning coffee, for baking, as well as over your favorite cereal. It is high in vitamin E as well as other essential nutrients. And it has a sweetness to it that some may like or dislike depending on your taste. There is a bit of a nut flavor to it, similar to a hazelnut creamer. If this is not your cup of tea, you might want to try one of the other options.
Milk Substitutes: Coconut Milk
Next we have coconut milk. This is great for people who are looking for a product that is not only dairy-free, but soy-free as well, as many of the brands are dairy, soy, and gluten-free. Like the almond milk, it can also be used in cooking and baking, in cereal, coffee, and even straight out of a glass. Remember, this is coconut milk, so if you not a fan of that flavor, this may not be the milk alternative for you.
Milk Substitutes: Rice Milk
Rice milk I find to have a little bit of a sweeter flavor than its almond or soy counterparts. It works great in cereal and coffee, but I find that it may not be best for cooking and baking, as it has a much thinner consistency than other milk alternatives and generally requires a thickening agent like flour or xanthan gum.
Milk Substitutes: Soy Milk
Soy milk is probably the most popular of the milk alternatives and is great for cooking, baking, with cereal, or in a glass. It is high in fiber and protein, yet free of cholesterol and saturated fats. I have also found that soy milk can sometimes be available at certain coffee shops and even ice cream parlors to be used instead of traditional dairy milk or creamers.
In today's market, there is a wide variety of milk alternatives. My suggestion would be to try them all and see which one you like best.
Thanks for watching. For more information, visit food.About.com.