The number of people exploring plant-based milk alternatives continues to grow exponentially. With options like soy, almond, oat, and more to choose from, how do you decide?
Each plant-based milk has trade-offs around taste, sustainability, nutrition, and convenience. Soy can often be high in sugar and can trigger reactions for some. Almond milk can be expensive and has a large water footprint. Oat milk is surging in popularity, but can be high in sugar and contain the wrong sort of fats. All plant-based milk sold in cartons contributes to distribution emissions from transporting water weight.
In the UK alone, 15bn litres of milk is transported around the country every year. Thinking about the financial and environmental cost, it just doesn’t make sense to make and transport a product which is 90% water.
This is where MYOM’s Original Oat Blend, the delicious oat milk premix, provides the best overall choice. MYOM is an oat milk premix sold online in small recyclable pouches. Unlike plant-based milk in cartons, there's no water added at the factory. MYOM is ambient, with a long-shelf life and does not require refrigeration until it is made. Shake to make and consumers can enjoy fresh oat milk every time. MYOM tastes delicious, is highly nutritious and is a big leap for sustainability and convenience.
By understanding the full landscape of plant-based options, you can determine which alternative best suits your goals around health, sustainability, cost and more. Read on for profiles of all major plant milks and why more people are adding MYOM’s oat premix to their pantries!
Key Takeaways
- MYOM's Original Oat Blend offers a sustainable, nutritious, and convenient alternative to traditional plant-based milks by allowing consumers to create fresh oat milk at home, reducing emissions from transportation.
- Different plant-based milks like soy, almond, oat, rice, and hemp offer varied nutritional profiles and benefits, catering to diverse dietary needs and preferences, with considerations for allergies, health goals, and environmental impact.
- Plant-based milks can be chosen based on factors like nutritional value, taste preferences, and intended culinary uses, with MYOM's oat milk premix standing out for its balance of nutrition, ease of preparation, and environmental benefits.
What are Milk Alternatives?
Plant-based milk alternatives refer to beverages crafted from nuts, seeds, grains and other plants that can be used in place of regular dairy milk. Popular options include almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk and more.
These allow those with dairy issues or lactose intolerance to still enjoy a milk-like drink. They also appeal to people pursuing vegan/vegetarian diets, seeking healthier options, or concerned about the environmental impact of dairy.
However, plant milks vary widely in their nutritional makeup. While most contain less protein and calories than dairy milk, some provide vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and other nutrients like calcium. It's important to read labels to understand what each offers.
MYOM Original Oat Blend stands apart by focusing solely on the advantages of oats - their creamy texture and nutritional profile. Designed to nourish you and be kinder to the planet, MYOM is fortified with key nutrients including calcium, iodine, vitamin B12 and D3. Just add water to your MYOM Original Oat Drink Blend, shake it up and experience a delicious oat milk drink that is as versatile as it is sustainable. Even better, no refrigeration is needed until it’s made, meaning you can always carry a handy pack at the office, travelling, or in the store cupboard at home.
So if you’re exploring alternatives for health, ethical or environmental reasons, quality plant-based options exist, but MYOM provides the most sustainable way to enjoy oat milk's nutritional and sensory benefits through our innovative home-making process.
What to Look for in Milk Alternatives
When selecting dairy-free milk, consider its nutritional value, ingredient list, taste preferences, and how you plan to use it.
Benefits of Plant-Based Milks
Plant-based milk offers various nutritional and health benefits compared to dairy milk. For example:
- Soy milk is high in protein, with 8 grams per cup, providing all essential amino acids. It also contains vitamins B2, B3, B5, and B12. However, soy remains controversial regarding the effects of its isoflavones (plant nutrients).
- Pea milk is a natural source of calcium and vitamin D, as well as 8 grams of protein. It's also low in saturated fat and sugars.
- Spelt milk is rich in fibre, iron, magnesium and vitamin E. Its creamy texture resembles cow's milk.
- Potato milk contains zinc, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium. It's free from common allergens, with about 1 gram of protein per cup.
- MYOM’s oat milk premix delivers an impressive nutritional profile, including calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12. Its naturally sweet, creamy flavour makes oat milk excellent for coffees, cereals, and more.
When choosing a milk alternative, check the nutrition labels for protein, calcium, carbohydrates, and other nutrients you desire. Factor the intended use as well. When considering plant-based milk options for reasons like health, sustainability ethics and more - look at oat milk. And look for oat milk focused on true innovation that sets a new standard like MYOM does.
Types of Plant-Based Milks
Popular plant-based milk varieties include:
- Almond milk - Low calories and carbs but lack protein. Provides vitamin E and has a mild, nutty flavour.
- Oat milk - Rich in fibre with some protein, MYOM nicely foams for lattes. Its mild taste also works for baking.
- Coconut milk - High in healthy fats with a creamy texture. Provides minerals like iron but lower protein content.
- Hemp milk - Contains omega-3s and complete protein comparable to cow's milk. Has an earthy, nutty flavour.
Other options like flax, hazelnut, quinoa, rice and soy milk offer diverse flavours and nutritional profiles. Explore your preferences and needs when selecting dairy-free milk.
Rice Milk
Known for its light consistency and mild flavour, rice milk serves as a versatile dairy-free option. Made from milled rice and water, rice milk provides a sweetness reminiscent of cow's milk but with fewer calories.
Compared to almond or oat milk, rice milk is lower in protein and calcium but higher in carbohydrates. One cup provides 1 gram of protein and 33 grams of carbs. Look for calcium-fortified varieties to obtain 30% of your daily calcium intake. Rice milk also supplies B vitamins, selenium and magnesium.
The texture of rice milk resembles skim or low-fat dairy milk. Its thin, creamy consistency results from rice starches broken down during processing. Rice milk imparts subtle floral or grain-like flavours with a touch of natural sweetness. Its mild taste complements coffee, smoothies or pouring over cereals.
Rice milk offers various nutritional benefits. It provides nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin B12. The carbs in rice milk have a high glycemic index, making it less suitable for low-carb diets. Rice is also naturally gluten-free, serving as an option for those with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Due to its hypoallergenic properties, rice milk is less likely to cause allergic reactions, especially among children. Many opt for rice milk over nut-based versions to avoid potential nut allergies.
Rice milk’s light consistency makes it an excellent substitute for cow’s milk in recipes. Use rice milk for making creamy soups, sauces or smoothies. For baking cookies or cakes, choose sweeter varieties to provide moisture while avoiding overpowering flavours. You can also enjoy rice milk plain over cereal or sip it on its own.
Oat Milk
Oat milk has rapidly emerged as a top contender in the plant-based milk space. It contains more calcium and vitamin D than other dairy-free options, along with 3 grams of protein per cup. Oat milk also provides vitamin A and iron in addition to a beneficial fibre called beta-glucan, which is linked to improved heart health and balanced blood sugar levels.
In addition, MYOM is fortified with supplemental calcium, vegan-friendly vitamin D3, vitamin B12, and iodine. This nutrient enrichment ensures those who opt for MYOM over dairy, including oat milk are not missing out on key vitamins or minerals essential for health.
MYOM also contains no added or refined sugars, using only naturally occurring sugar from the oats themselves. Per 100ml of prepared MYOM oat milk, sugar content clocks in at a low 1.9 grams - less than many comparable oat milk brands and semi-skimmed cow's milk. Additionally, MYOM is one of the only UK oat milks to not contain dipotassium phosphate, making it exceptionally unique amongst plant based milks.
As a crop, oats also have sustainability benefits requiring less water to grow than almonds or soy and don’t have methane emission issues like dairy. However, traditionally manufactured oat milks still face environmental issues like emissions from transporting water-filled cartons long distances. This is where MYOM sets itself apart through an innovative approach that cuts the CO2 transport emissions by up to 90% by letting you add the water at home rather than doing that in the factory and is focused squarely on amplifying the advantages of oat milk.
In the kitchen, oat milk's mild flavour and creamy body work excellently across a wide variety of applications. Popular uses include adding to coffee, tea or smoothies, pouring over cereal, incorporating into baked goods like cakes or cookies, blend into cream sauces, and more. Oat milk even foams well for specialty lattes.
By designing an optimal oat blend for fresh preparation at home, MYOM’s Original Oat Drink Blend offers exceptional nutrition while slashing the carbon footprint of traditional oat milk distribution. Home mixing also enables full control over taste, texture and customisation with different flavours or supplements to meet personal preferences.
Cashew Milk
Popular for its rich, creamy essence, cashew milk offers a nutritious option for the dairy-averse.
A 1-cup serving of cashew milk provides 25 calories, 2 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein and 1 gram of carbs. It lacks protein compared to dairy milk yet offers minerals like calcium and iron. Look for vitamin-fortified varieties to boost nutrition. Cashews also contain anacardic acid, which is linked to reduced inflammation and fat production.
Described as velvety and subtly sweet, cashew milk resembles the indulgent consistency of half and half. Its faint nuttiness complements sweet and savoury dishes without overpowering other ingredients.
The fats in cashew milk help lower bad cholesterol to boost heart health. These fats additionally promote intuitive eating by inducing feelings of fullness. For those monitoring their blood sugar, cashew milk has a lower glycemic index because of its low carb content.
Substitute cashew milk cup for cup when replacing cow’s milk. Whip it into creamy soups or blend it into nutritious smoothies. Pour it over whole grain cereals, or try it alone as a cool, hydrating beverage. For baking, cashew milk adds moisture without altering flavours. Play around with cashew milk’s versatility – its mild essence blends seamlessly into lattes, chais, oats or desserts.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk brings a touch of the tropics with its smooth, creamy texture and natural sweetness. This popular dairy-free alternative offers potential health perks stemming from its unique fat composition.
Coconut milk contains healthy fats called MCTs that may enhance brain function, torch calories, and improve cholesterol. One cup serves up 45 calories, mostly from the 5 grams of saturated fat. You'll also obtain manganese along with smaller amounts of iron, phosphorus, copper and magnesium. Protein, carbohydrates, calcium, vitamins A and D remain scarce, so balance intake with proper nutrition from other whole foods.
In terms of taste, coconut milk resembles the richness of cream or half-and-half. When chilled it takes on a thicker, silkier texture - perfect for blending into smoothies, shakes or whipped desserts. A delicate sweetness comes from the coconut water bound up in the grated meat during processing. This allows coconut milk to complement both savoury and sweet recipes, from Thai curries to ice cream.
With its recent rise in popularity, coconut milk stands among the top dairy-free alternatives like almond or soy milk. Shake it up in lattes for a tropical twist, or use it for making probiotic yoghurt. For morning fuel, blend coconut milk with oats, chia seeds, fruit and cinnamon.
Soy Milk
A longstanding milk alternative, soy milk supplies a hefty dose of high-quality protein with benefits for bone and heart health.
Soy milk contains 6 to 8 grams of protein per cup, depending on the variety. Soy protein offers all essential amino acids, making it a complete protein comparable to cow or goat dairy. In terms of other nutrients, soy milk provides vitamins A, D, B12, calcium and iron as well as antioxidants. It's also high in fats linked to improving cholesterol.
Despite benefits observed in some populations with soy-rich diets, soy milk remains controversial, primarily due to its isoflavones (natural chemicals found in soy that can act like hormones in the body) content. Due to their weak estrogen-like effects, some avoid soy especially for young children. However, multiple studies confirm moderate soy intake is safe for most people.
For the environmentally conscious, soy presents a more sustainable plant milk option than popular nut varieties. Soy milk also avoids potential allergens associated with nuts. Those with sensitivity to FODMAPs (a group of carbohydrates that can cause stomach problems) can likely tolerate soy milk. Check labels as flavours vary from plain and sweetened to chocolate or vanilla soy milk.
Almond Milk
Popular for its nutritional benefits and versatility, almond milk provides an affordable, plant-based milk option. Though lower in protein than dairy milk, almond milk supplies 40 calories per cup with heart-healthy fats and vitamin E. It works well for smoothies, cereals, or baking and foams nicely for custom lattes.
Thanks to its low carbohydrate content, almond milk suits low-carb, keto and paleo diets. Each serving contains 3 grams of fat, mostly unsaturated, along with 1 gram of protein. Other innate nutrients include vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects cells from damage.
On the downside, almond milk lacks complete nutrition on its own due to deficient levels of protein, carbs and essential fatty acids. Its phytic acid may also hinder the absorption of iron and zinc. Those allergic to nuts should obviously avoid almond milk as well.
Still, with heart-healthy fats and vitamin E, flavorful almond milk nourishes the body with fewer calories and carbs than dairy milk. Blend it into smoothies, pour over whole-grain breakfast bowls or simply heat up a steamy mug for a comforting evening treat. Just balance intake with proper nutrition elsewhere in your diet.
Hemp Milk
Derived from hemp seeds, this plant-based milk alternative earns superfood status thanks to its exceptional nutrition. Hemp milk contains high amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids that support focus, mood and heart health. With a complete amino acid configuration comparable to eggs or quinoa, hemp milk proteins help build muscles and tissues. Additional nutrition includes vitamins A, C, B6, iron and potassium.
Besides outstanding nutritionals, hemp milk delights the senses with its rich, creamy consistency and delicious nutty flavour. Use it as a base for smoothies, stir it into oats or overnight chia puddings, or heat it up for a soothing nighttime tea. You can even use hemp milk to lend moisture, protein and healthy fats when baking up plant-powered cookies, blondies or cakes.
Sustainably grown and processed, hemp requires fewer pesticides than fruits and vegetables. Hemp farming also preserves soil integrity compared to other crops. Best of all, using hemp seeds for plant-based milk keeps them out of landfills, given current restrictions on hemp cultivation.
Spelt Milk
For those seeking a nut-free milk substitute resembling cow’s milk, give spelt milk a taste. Made from soaked and blended spelt grains, this alternative offers protein comparable to dairy along with fibre, manganese, phosphorus, and B vitamins.
In terms of calories and macronutrients, an 8-ounce serving of spelt milk contains about 130 calories, including 20 grams of carbs, 2 grams of protein and 3.5 grams of fat. Enjoy spelt milk plain, use it for smoothies, or blend it into chai tea or coffee drinks.
Potential downsides of spelt milk include phytates that may hinder mineral absorption or proteins that could irritate gluten sensitivity. Taste-wise, some dislike its grainy, cereal-like flavour profile. Still with ample protein and key nutrients, spelt milk makes for an accessible, budget-friendly dairy milk substitute.
Pea Milk
Offering protein comparable to dairy milk, pea milk delivers nutritional value aligned with a sustainable food future. Gaining popularity for its eco-friendly crop production, pea milk provides an accessible option for the mainstream milk drinker or plant-based curious.
Thanks to its base of yellow split peas, pea milk supplies 7 grams of protein per 1 cup serving for solid satisfaction. It also offers calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A and iron while remaining naturally low in sugar. As a gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free beverage, pea milk avoids common allergies.
Pea plants, of course, require far less water than popular nut varieties like almonds. And pea milk production emits lower greenhouse gases than other plant or dairy milks. Just note added sugars and stabilisers on some labels.
With a clean, mild flavour, pea milk blends seamlessly into coffees, smoothies and cereal bowls. Its light taste and protein punch make it ideal for athletics requiring dairy-free protein beverages. Kids also gladly guzzle down its approachable essence. Shake up the plant-based milk scene by giving pea milk a try!
Potato Milk
Offering a low-allergy, sustainable milk option, potato milk brings climate-friendly nutrition to the table. Potato milk provides vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium and magnesium. Per cup, you’ll get about 6 grams of protein. It avoids common food allergens, suitable for nut-free, soy-free and gluten-free diets.
Potatoes, of course, make better use of land and water resources than popular nuts like almonds. Potato milk also omits soy, nuts or peas as ingredients, reducing food miles further. With its subtle earthy taste, potato milk won’t overpower coffee or cereals. For cooking, try using potato milk for making creamy soups or even vegan tagines dressed with apricot quinoa.
As the plant-based milk scene expands, keep an eye out for potato milk. Its sustainable production, low allergy formula and subtle flavour all stack up as smart reasons to give this intriguing new option a stir.
Hazelnut Milk
For tree nut milk lovers looking to branch out, hazelnut milk brings added health perks over popular almond milk. Delivering rich, roasted flavour, hazelnut milk boasts vitamin E, folate and minerals for about 60 calories per cup.
Compared to almond milk, hazelnut milk cuts calories while amping up key nutrients. Each serving contains 3 grams of protein and 1 grams of carbs, along with a hearty dose of vitamin E. Hazelnuts also pack in manganese, copper and vitamin B6.
On the allergen front, hazelnut milk omits soy and gluten while carrying a similar tree nut risk as almond milk.
Whip up hazelnut milk at home by simply blending toasted nuts with water, then straining out solids. The resulting creamy, nutty beverage pours nicely over cereal, swirls into coffee drinks or bakes into everything from breads to brownies. Expand your nut milk repertoire by toasting up some hazelnut milk today!
Quinoa Milk
A potent, complete protein packed into every pour, quinoa milk offers a nutritious dairy milk alternative without potential allergies. Quinoa milk contains around 3 grams of protein per cup.
Quinoa milk also provides fibre, calcium, iron and vitamins A, D, and E. Its protein quality further promotes growth and healthy muscle maintenance with a complete amino acid profile. Only about 70 calories come per serving, mostly from heart-healthy fats.
Regarding taste and texture, quinoa milk imparts subtle, nutty, earthy tones reminiscent of its seed origins. It pours nicely over cereal and froths well for lattes. Try using quinoa milk for making chia puddings, overnight oats or even coconut curries.
Less common than almond or soy varieties, quinoa milk offers an allergy-friendly, superfood-fueled dairy milk substitute. Check wellness stores or make your own quinoa milk using similar methods as almond or oat milk.
Chia Seed Milk
Tiny chia seeds burst into plant-based milk full of omega-3s, protein and sustainable credentials. Chia milk offers anti-inflammatory omega-3s, making it a nutritious option for health-conscious dieters. Preferring to avoid soy or nuts? Chia milk also eliminates common allergens.
Thanks to those teeny seeds, you’ll obtain more calcium than cow’s milk, plus iron, magnesium and potassium in each pour. Fibre also abounds to promote satiety and heart health.
Chia requires much less water to grow than popular plant milk bases like almonds. Scaling chia for dairy-free milk keeps this ancient crop out of landfills, too. Make easy chia seed milk at home by blending with water and straining - then shake well before pouring. Chill overnight for thickness, resembling a milkshake!
Peanut Milk
For tree nut-free milk lovers, creamy peanut milk churns out affordable nutrition minus potential allergies. Thanks to its legume base, peanut milk supplies more protein than almond milk at a lower cost. Each 1-cup serving contains about 6 grams of protein. Peanut milk also provides half your daily recommended vitamin E, along with bone-building calcium and vitamin D.
Beyond its nutritional asset, peanut milk offers environmental advantages over tree nuts like almonds or coconut. As a crop, peanuts have a lower water footprint and can grow in places not suited for water-intensive tree nuts. And as mentioned, peanuts avoid risky tree nut allergies that impact 1 in 200 adult Brits.
In terms of taste, nutty peanut milk possesses a rich, indulgent texture reminiscent of cow’s milk. Blend it into smoothies, combine with chia pudding ingredients or heat up with cinnamon and turmeric for a soothing nighttime tea. You can easily make peanut milk at home too - just search online for simple recipes.
Banana Milk
Seeking a dairy-free milk that’s unapologetically sweet and playful? Then, get ready to peel into rich, velvety banana milk. Blending creamy bananas with water or a dairy-free milk base produces a subtly sweet, banana-y beverage tasty enough to drink on its own.
Use banana milk as the foundation for fruit smoothies or blend with cocoa powder for an indulgent plant-powered milkshake. Its fun essence also complements cereal bowls, overnight oats, chia puddings or ice cream. For added nutrition, select spotted bananas ripe with micronutrients.
Compared to store-bought varieties, homemade banana milk avoids thickeners and stabilisers you’ll find in some commercial non-dairy milks. Blending just two ingredients takes mere seconds for a morning milk full of potassium and vitamin B6. Top your banana milk with cinnamon to level up both taste and blood sugar-balancing properties.
Diet & Nutrition
Cow’s milk contains protein, calcium, vitamins D and B12 – nutrients important for health. But dairy doesn’t work for everyone due to lactose intolerance or plant-based diets.
When going dairy-free, it’s important to include alternative sources of key nutrients like calcium, protein and vitamins. This is where MYOM delivers as a nutritionally balanced milk alternative.
MYOM starts with oat milk’s innate nutritional attributes. We then enrich it with supplemental calcium, vitamins D3 and B12, ensuring MYOM provides complete daily nutrition comparable to dairy milk.
The prep-at-home format also allows easy customisation by blending in other beneficial ingredients like flaxseed, turmeric or protein powders. Skip the store trips and enjoy affordable, personalised nutrition catered to your needs.
So for those adopting plant-positive diets, MYOM sustains energy and health by delivering key micronutrients that might otherwise be missed when switching from dairy milk. We empower conscious consumers to align values and nutrition through a reinvented milk format focused solely on benefits.
What to Consider When Substituting
When switching from dairy milk to plant-based alternatives like MYOM, keep aspects like nutrition, cost and additives in mind:
Added Sugars - MYOM contains no added sugars, using only oats' natural sweetness to craft a delightfully tasty oat milk.
Calcium & Vitamins - MYOM is enriched with vegan-friendly calcium and essential vitamins D3 and B12 for complete daily nutrition.
Cost - By focusing solely on widely accessible oats instead of nuts or seeds, MYOM offers exceptional value because you only make what you need. Typically 15% of all oat milk sold in cartons is poured away. MYOM’s smaller format to make 500ml of oat milk tackles the issue of oat milk food waste.
Additives - MYOM keeps ingredients clean and simple for a pure, additive-free oat milk with no thickeners or stabilisers.
Dietary Needs - Our prep-at-home format empowers easy customisation by blending in supplemental ingredients as desired.
By optimising for key substitution considerations like nutrition, purity and cost, MYOM delivers on every front when transitioning from dairy to a plant-based milk alternative.
Start Your Plant-Based Journey With MYOM
Curious to try an optimally sustainable, nutritious and downright delicious plant milk? Then it's time to experience the MYOM difference!
We're rethinking oat milk from the ground up - starting with why oat milk is a top choice then innovating every step that follows. The result? Our Original Oat Drink Blend - a home-mixing format that slashes environmental footprints while elevating purity, nutrition and taste to all new heights.
Make exceptional oat milk fresh anytime while boosting savings and customisation flexibility compared to store-bought brands. Add your own flavours or supplements to match personal tastes or dietary needs. Become your own barista crafting creamy perfection!
We're excited to make plant milks more sustainable and empower consumer choice. Want to learn more or get started? Get in touch today. Our team is happy to help retailers and individuals switch to the smarter milk choice - MYOM.
Learn More About MYOM
Are you curious about MYOM and want to know more? Here are helpful resources to help you navigate your plant-based journey:
- Original Oat Drink | Best Tasting Vegan Oat Milk | MYOM - Explore our Original Oat Drink Blend and see how it could complement your daily diet.
- FAQs: Your Guide to Preparation, Nutrition & Sustainability (myom.shop) - Do you have any questions? Whether you want to ask about preparation, nutrition or sustainability, we have the answers!
- Discover The Best Oat Milk for Coffee [ 2023 EDITION ] MYOM - Are you looking to bring a different flavour to your coffee? Here’s why you should include MYOM in your morning ritual.
