If you’ve been hearing about plant-based milk lately, you may be curious about what all the fuss is about. It seems like just a label, right? But as more people find themselves lactose intolerant and seeking alternatives to dairy, plant milk has become more popular.
Plant-based milk basically refers to non-dairy drinks made from a liquid-based vegetable extract, such as tofu or milk, which is usually vegan and also free of artificial colourings or flavourings. Plant milks tend to have a creamy texture and are typically vegan, so they can be consumed as animal-free alternatives to regular milk. However, you might be wondering how they can be called “plant-based”. It’s simply an organic milk product made using ingredients like coconut oil or hemp milk. Include as part of your vegan bodybuilding meals from https://www.vivolife.com/blogs/recipes/11-unusual-and-delicious-vegan-bodybuilding-recipes
What makes this type of milk different from all other milk products is that it can be made any way you like, for your own personal preferences. In fact, most plant-based milks on the market today aren’t actually packaged with anything but the basic ingredients. This means you can make the milk yourself, or even purchase ready-made kits for the best results, as long as they come with a few extra ingredients. Most often, people are attracted to these types of milks because of their creaminess. They’re also generally much cheaper than other types of soy milk and lactose-free milk, though it’s important to remember that a high-quality product will cost more than a cheaper brand.
Who turns to plant milk and why
Many people who switch to plant-based milk do so because of a dairy intolerance. Someone who is lactose intolerant reacts to lactose, the natural sugar in milk, and can get stomach discomfort after milk, cheese, yoghurt or ice cream. Cutting out or reducing those foods is usually the answer, which is where soya, coconut and almond milk come in.
It is worth knowing that dairy is not always the culprit. Gluten intolerance is a separate problem, caused by a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, so it is triggered by foods such as bread, pasta, biscuits, pretzels and some cereals. Symptoms such as stomach pain or diarrhoea after a meal are sometimes blamed on dairy when gluten is the real cause.
If you are unsure which foods are behind your symptoms, it helps to get advice before cutting things out. Once you know dairy is the issue, plant milks offer an easy swap in tea, coffee, cereal and cooking.