Almond MilkFor hundreds of years, the only type of milk available was the kind that came from an animal – most often cows, but also goats and sheep. As long as I can remember, The Dairy Council, pediatricians, and parenting books have long supported the belief that kids need milk to stay healthy. The media has also gotten involved with the “Got Milk?” campaign showing celebrities encouraging and supporting the consumption of milk by kid and adults. Things are beginning to change, however, and the market is being flooded with many non-dairy alternatives like soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk – which are not actually “milk” since they are not from an animal.

Clients are beginning to asking me about these milk-alternatives wanting to know how they taste, if they’re healthy, and if they will help with weight loss – so I decided to write about it.

Let me begin by saying that dairy milk is a standout source of calcium and protein. However, most pasteurized milk sold at supermarkets comes from cows living on feedlots otherwise known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) where the animals are given antibiotics – sick or not – as well as hormones to increase milk production. And they’re fed a diet of GMO (genetically modified organism) grains and soy, rather than grass, which alters their gut flora and the nutritional quality of the milk. Click here to find out more about the dangers of GMOs.

That being said, there’s no need to stop drinking milk if you enjoy it, however consider choosing a brand such as Organic Valley that comes from cows raised on pastures instead of in a CAFO; the quality and nutrition will likely be far superior. Furthermore, choosing any brand of organic milk ensures that you’re getting high-quality milk produced without antibiotics, synthetic hormones or pesticides. Lastly, try to purchase milk that comes from a local farm if possible. Click here to find farms in New Jersey that produce grass-fed meat, eggs, and dairy products.

There are some people who simply cannot or will not drink milk. Whether it’s the desire to be on a vegan diet or because they suffer from allergies, lactose-intolerance, or some other health condition, many people need a milk alternative. Fortunately, there are plenty of tasty non-dairy lactose-free beverages that provide most of the same nutrients found in cow’s milk. Check out this guide for a comparison chart detailing serving size, calories, protein, fat, sugar content and flavor profile for a variety of options.

Here are a few other things to consider about dairy-free beverages:

• If you are concerned about consuming non-GMO foods, look for the certified non-GMO stamp on the label.

• Be sure to make up for the loss of nutrients from milk with other whole foods or choose a milk alternative that is closest in nutritional profile to that of dairy milk.

• Be wary of flavored milk alternatives, as they can be high in added sugars.

If you want to get a little adventurous, try making your own almond milk using this easy recipe from Vitamix. If you don’t have a Vitamix, any powerful blender will do.

Now I’d love to hear from you.

What type of milk do you drink? Is your choice based on health concerns, taste, or some other reason?

Please share in the comment section below. Your ideas could be very helpful to other readers.

Meanwhile, if you need help losing weight and want to improving your health, check out my Free Self-Assessment and learn how you can lose 20 lb. – or more. Go to, https://njnutritionist.com/freeconsult

Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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