Plant-based milks (or more correctly plant-based drinks) have now entered our lives for good, since they are on the shelves of all supermarkets, are constantly used in current recipes, and provide an alternative solution for those who do not want or cannot consume dairy products.
Types of herbal drinks
Plant-based beverages on the market can be derived from many different raw materials, such as legumes, seeds, nuts, grains. The most popular are the following:
- Almond drink
- Soy drink
- Coconut drink
- Rice drink
- Cannabis drink
- Cashew drink
- Peanut drink
- Other dairy substitutes you will find on the market are plant-based cheeses, plant-based butters, yogurt and plant-based probiotic drinks.
But which is the healthiest?
All plant-based drinks in their pure form (especially without added sugars) are low in calories, yet are good sources of calcium and vitamins such as D and A. Depending on the formulation, some drinks may be fortified or fortified with omega-3, vitamin B12, and other nutrients.
With regard to protein, only soy drink has a similar nutritional composition to animal milk, since soy is a complete protein and has exactly the proportions and quantities of essential amino acids that humans need, while at the same time it has no fat.
Many plant-based milks and yogurts, however, have added sugar, chocolate, vanilla flavor, caramel, etc., which you better not prefer as they have a lot of calories and saturated fat.
Is it safe to consume soy products?
Soy has been associated in the minds of many as a food that causes breast cancer (wrongly, according to studies), as well as the various reservations many have about genetically modified products. In fact, genetically modified soy is primarily feed on livestock farms, and most if not all soy beverages you find on the market are non-GMO or organically certified.