MILK v. RICE, SOY, ALMOND MILK

TacoGibbons

I'm thinking maybe it's time to start using skim milk (local and organic) as opposed to soy, rice or almond milk.The calories seem to be far less and I only use it for coffee and occasional cereal/oats so it might be beneficial as far as calorie count goes.

Truth is though, I don't know anything about milk as I have never researched it or even drank it--sure I've had it in things before, but never used it for things like cereal or drinking. Does anyone have any input to help weigh in my decision. I'm looking to fidn out which one comes out on top as a whole package of goodness--not just calorie intake.

Thanks,
Non-Dairy Milk Drinker

moses5885

only drink the others if your are lactose intolerant. otherwise i belive you get more calories and less protein from them rather than skim.

starkiss100

I love Silk Soy milk, Chocolate light. It has 90 calories for 8oz and its much smoother than regular milk. It has less cholesterol as well. Its great to just drink by itself. Some say drinking chocolate milk after a workout will do wonders for repairing your muslces.

JanerZzz

www.milksucks.com <---- real website (but the server is down). It's forever turned me off real milk. Sorry.

up2me2lose20

I am drinking almond milk lately. I am not opposed to cow's milk...it just seems to make my tummy feel a little icky. I like the almond milk as compared to skim milk...skim milk to me is like water...belch. Soy has some icky hormonal things going on with it that I try to avoid soy as much as possible. I am really after the calcium in milk as it is so important for bone health. Almond milk has much more calcium than cow's milk per serving. My mom has bad bones as does my sister and I know I did not get the amount of calcium I should have during my teens & early twenties ... trying to make up for that now. Probably won't help, but it makes me feel better to try. I'm 35 ... if you are a young woman espeically, it's really important to get enough calcium for bone health as you get older!

MistyMtnMan

I LOVE Almond milk. I get the unsweetened vanilla from Blue Diamond.

The main differences I see between this and skim milk is skim milk has less fat and sodium and higher protein. On the other hand Almond milk is a lot lower in sugar and carbs and higher in iron.

It all depends on what you want but I stick with almond milk.

MistyMtnMan

Here's a cool article.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/skim-milk-vs-almond-milk-which-is-healthier/

Bootzey

skim milk is so thin you would need a lot of it to make your coffee pleasant. I know non-dairy creamers aren't natural but they will give you a better feel than skim milk

Jade_Butterfly

only drink the others if your are lactose intolerant. otherwise i belive you get more calories and less protein from them rather than skim.

No offense, but soy or almond are better as they are higher in protein and antioxidants, vitamins, and much lower on sugar. You can get light Soy 60 calories, the Almond they have original which is also 60 calories, or the unsweetened which is 35 calories. All these for an 8 ounce serving.

MistyMtnMan

only drink the others if your are lactose intolerant. otherwise i belive you get more calories and less protein from them rather than skim.

No offense, but soy or almond are better as they are higher in protein and antioxidants, vitamins, and much lower on sugar. You can get light Soy 60 calories, the Almond they have original which is also 60 calories, or the unsweetened which is 35 calories. All these for an 8 ounce serving.

I love almond milk and everything BUT it is not higher in protein. Almond milk only has 1 gram of protein per each serving so, dairy milk serves as a much more practical protein source with 8 grams of the macronutrient per serving. Skim milk also contains more riboflavin, folate and Vitamin B12 than the almond alternative.

It doesn't really matter to me because I use it to blend my protein shakes. I just want to get the facts straight.

Iceskatefanrn

I like "sugar and milk" in my hot tea, which is my hot beverage of choice - never developed a taste for coffee.

My favorite tea bags are Yogi Classic Indian Spice, and Yogi Chai Green.

I brew the tea in a small Mr. Coffee that has NEVER been used to make coffee!

Once I pour a tall mug of this hot, spicy, part Black/part Green tea, I then add Davinci's or Torani's Sugar Free Syrups - today's "mix" includes sugar free flavors of French Vanilla, Caramel, Chocolate, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

ADD TO THAT a generous splash of Silk Pure Almond Milk - unsweetened and unflavored. The milk is 35 cals for a FULL CUP, so for this decadent, sweet, hot, creamy beverage, I'm getting less than 10 calories - probably closer to 5. In addition to the flavors of the sweetners, I've now added an "Amaretto" type flavor with the Almond Milk. YUMMMMMMMMMILICIOUS!

:drinker:

Ice

jjennig

I have to agree with the rest....I only drink rice, soy, or almond....I only touch real milk if I have to...

TurboJenn

Just read about the way soy is processioned to make "milk" turned me off for ever! That stuff is toxic. Most soy is GM and processed using hexane.

TacoGibbons

Thanks for all the input--I was always leaning towards sticking with rice, almond and sometimes (rarely unless it's my only option/on sale) soy, but I just wanted some food for thought (keep the thread going fi you so please!) I think what I need to do is start looking into different brands of rice and almond milks to get the these low calorie ones you guys are talkin' about.

I use Pacific Foods rice, soy and almond milk...around 130-140/ 8 ounces. Any more brand suggestions? I'm looking for plain milks--no flavors or sweeteners...as I don't really dig the taste/may use it for cooking. Sounds like a lot of people leans towards Silk Almond Milk--I had no idea it was so low in cals. Sweeeeet!

SHANNONMARTENS

Silk Almond Milk is fantastic, I have tried soy but have heard not such good things about it and I can't digest milk.

MistyMtnMan

Thanks for all the input--I was always leaning towards sticking with rice, almond and sometimes (rarely unless it's my only option/on sale) soy, but I just wanted some food for thought (keep the thread going fi you so please!) I think what I need to do is start looking into different brands of rice and almond milks to get the these low calorie ones you guys are talkin' about.

I use Pacific Foods rice, soy and almond milk...around 130-140/ 8 ounces. Any more brand suggestions? I'm looking for plain milks--no flavors or sweeteners...as I don't really dig the taste/may use it for cooking. Sounds like a lot of people leans towards Silk Almond Milk--I had no idea it was so low in cals. Sweeeeet!

I Love Blue Diamond original unsweetened. Only 40 calories a serving.

up2me2lose20

I go back and forth between the Blue Diamond and the Silk, just depending which is on sale or which I have coupons for. I think our store even carries an off brand, though I haven't checked that label.

smilebhappy

bump

TheDeviation

I love almond milk and everything BUT it is not higher in protein. Almond milk only has 1 gram of protein per each serving so, dairy milk serves as a much more practical protein source with 8 grams of the macronutrient per serving. Skim milk also contains more riboflavin, folate and Vitamin B12 than the almond alternative.

It doesn't really matter to me because I use it to blend my protein shakes. I just want to get the facts straight.

It's also not just about how much protein. The kind of protein matters too. Just tossing that in as well.

I don't like almond milk. I've tried a couple brands (Silk & Blue Diamond). I do like the flavored soy milks. Those are great in cereal. But on a day to day basis, I use skim milk. Mostly for cereal/oats. My coffee is black with a touch of sugar (yes the real stuff).

TacoGibbons

How about this on a similar topic:

Real butter v. earth balance/smart balance/etc.

What do you use and why?

I tend to stick to self-made spray bottles of olive oil or flaw seed oil--for rice, cooking (not flax), toast, etc.

If I want a spread--not all that often--I'll use Smart or Earth Balance, but I'm not sure how "smart" that is. Sometimes I'll just opt for avocado. I try to stear clear of butter because it's so tasty The boy I buy food/cook food with LOVES butter when he cooks.

A friend of mine recommended onion butter--water and onions cooked down into a paste with a pinch of salt. Mmm! That sounds awesome to cook with.

lolabugs

Being lactose intolerant, I haven't been drinking milk since middle school. I'm a little biased, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. When looking at the benefits of milk vs soy, almond or rice milk, I would look at the fact that if you don't buy organic milk or it doesn't state clearly on the packaging that the cows were not treated with rBST bovine growth hormone, there's a real possibility that there will be hormones in the milk. Also, milk has cholesterol which the others do not. The alternatives also have phytochemicals which help protect the heart. Soy milk contains 10 times as many fatty acids (mono-, di-, polyunsaturated fats) which lower LDL levels. Milk is known for having Vitamins A and D, but they are not found naturally in Milk. The dairy farmers need to add them into the milk (AKA Fortified).

Research demonstrates that men who drink 2 servings of soy milk every day are 70% less likely to develop prostate cancer. (www.all-soy-products.com/a21-soy-milk-vs-cow-milk.php)

My main reason for wanting more people to use alternatives to milk, is that the cows must be hormonally stimulated to produce the amount of milk that we require for consumption. It's hard on the animals and it seems unfair since humans shouldn't need to drink milk beyond breastfeeding. I hope this helps.

mkskippy24

Thanks for all the input--I was always leaning towards sticking with rice, almond and sometimes (rarely unless it's my only option/on sale) soy, but I just wanted some food for thought (keep the thread going fi you so please!) I think what I need to do is start looking into different brands of rice and almond milks to get the these low calorie ones you guys are talkin' about.

I use Pacific Foods rice, soy and almond milk...around 130-140/ 8 ounces. Any more brand suggestions? I'm looking for plain milks--no flavors or sweeteners...as I don't really dig the taste/may use it for cooking. Sounds like a lot of people leans towards Silk Almond Milk--I had no idea it was so low in cals. Sweeeeet!

I Love Blue Diamond original unsweetened. Only 40 calories a serving.




Me too!! Just can't bring myself to drinking cow milk ever again!

Jade_Butterfly

only drink the others if your are lactose intolerant. otherwise i belive you get more calories and less protein from them rather than skim.

No offense, but soy or almond are better as they are higher in protein and antioxidants, vitamins, and much lower on sugar. You can get light Soy 60 calories, the Almond they have original which is also 60 calories, or the unsweetened which is 35 calories. All these for an 8 ounce serving.

Soy has more protein, not the almond milk!

I love almond milk and everything BUT it is not higher in protein. Almond milk only has 1 gram of protein per each serving so, dairy milk serves as a much more practical protein source with 8 grams of the macronutrient per serving. Skim milk also contains more riboflavin, folate and Vitamin B12 than the almond alternative.

It doesn't really matter to me because I use it to blend my protein shakes. I just want to get the facts straight.

Jade_Butterfly

Thanks for all the input--I was always leaning towards sticking with rice, almond and sometimes (rarely unless it's my only option/on sale) soy, but I just wanted some food for thought (keep the thread going fi you so please!) I think what I need to do is start looking into different brands of rice and almond milks to get the these low calorie ones you guys are talkin' about.

I use Pacific Foods rice, soy and almond milk...around 130-140/ 8 ounces. Any more brand suggestions? I'm looking for plain milks--no flavors or sweeteners...as I don't really dig the taste/may use it for cooking. Sounds like a lot of people leans towards Silk Almond Milk--I had no idea it was so low in cals. Sweeeeet!

I drank rice milk for a while after I had my daughter> The down side to that is it is full of sugar. You are better off with the almond or soy. Just a thought

SylentZee

I can't get past the taste of the two so I just use fat free milk but then again I seldom use it.

lolabugs

I don't remember off the top of my head how much more sugar is in oat milk, but it's the most delicious of them all!!! It's like drinking an oatmeal cookie. I rarely ever get it, but it's such a treat.

mlebannon

Milk (esp cow's milk) was never intended for human consumption and is really harsh on your digestive system. Incredibly fatty and full of hormones/steroids. The milk industry tries to stay relevant by convincing the public that milk is the only good source of calcium (there are tons of veggies with as much or more calcium per serving without the fat or high amounts of calories).

Check out the book Whitewashed at your local library.

katschi

How about this on a similar topic:

Real butter v. earth balance/smart balance/etc.

What do you use and why?

I tend to stick to self-made spray bottles of olive oil or flaw seed oil--for rice, cooking (not flax), toast, etc.

If I want a spread--not all that often--I'll use Smart or Earth Balance, but I'm not sure how "smart" that is. Sometimes I'll just opt for avocado. I try to stear clear of butter because it's so tasty The boy I buy food/cook food with LOVES butter when he cooks.

A friend of mine recommended onion butter--water and onions cooked down into a paste with a pinch of salt. Mmm! That sounds awesome to cook with.

I use real butter bought in individual pats at Costco.
Why? Oh the taste!
Avocado is lovely as a spread with sliced boiled egg. yum.

agnesbgooch

I only use real butter, margarine and all the others are full of junk I can't even pronounce. I just use less, and enjoy the full flavor. I've learned to go without on my corn on the cob, but I still use it on other veggies and in cooking. Moderation is the key, and it just tastes so much better!

Joreanasaurous

cow milk grosses me out. If I drink it I feel like it coats my entire throat and I feel nasty for hours afterwards. Soy milk resulted in kidney stones for me, so I stick with unsweetened Silk Almond milk. I like it.

mycrazy8splus1

my family only drinks goat milk (we use goat butter and goat cheeses too). My kids have all had issues with cow's milk. Goat milk is much easier for most people to digest and tase better IMO than cow milk. We raise our own goats so I know they are hormone free. You may want to check into goat milk as an option.