We are well past the stage of discussing the merits and demerits of dairy. One thing that most people can agree on these days is the fact that dairy has some adverse effects on the human body. While many are busy following a diet that needs them to cut out dairy completely, for others it is a lifestyle choice too. Whatever the reason may be, there is a massive demand for plant-based dairy alternatives in the market. Because no matter how much we may hate milk, we cannot get enough of our teas, coffees, smoothies, and milkshakes that all require a dairy alternative. Two very common alternatives are coconut milk and sweetened or unsweetened almond milk. Let’s understand both in detail and see which one works the best for a healthy, clean lifestyle.
First, let’s understand both of these dairy alternatives. Organic almond milk is made from roasting almonds and then later crushing them to get their pulp. This is then blended with filtered water. The amount of water added depends on manufacturer to manufacturer, so make sure you pick one that doesn’t have too much water content. It goes without saying that excess water can dilute both the taste and the flavor of almond milk. In some instances, extra nutrients are also added during the process to give your almond milk that extra kick of nutrition. On the other hand, coconut milk is made from the flesh of brown coconuts. The flesh is grated and boiled extensively. The whole thing is then drained and filtered repeatedly till only the milk remains. As you can see, both of these are made in extremely natural and organic ways without adding any artificial elements or preservatives of any kind. This is to ensure that the goodness of these milks stays intact. However, there are differences in the taste and consistency of both this milk. Almond milk is the closest to regular milk and hence can be easily used to replace normal dairy milk. Coconut milk tends to be thicker and creamier, making it a better option for cooking and baking. Coconut milk also retains its flavor to a great extent, which isn’t bad if you don’t mind a hint of coconut in your shakes and smoothies. Almond milk is comparatively tasteless and is a better alternative to use with teas and coffees. They are also fairly high in nutritive values, giving you more reasons to pick them over dairy. However, they tend to fall short in the protein category. Almond milk still has some protein in it, coconut milk contains none. One of the biggest distinguishing factors between the two is the calorie values. Almond milk is comparatively lighter and contains fewer calories. Coconut milk retains a lot more fats and hence racks up a higher calorie count.
If you are switching over to plant-based dairy alternatives for health reasons, the benefits of almond milk are immediately apparent. And while coconut milk may offer a good amount of nutrition too, the higher calorie count may prove to be a deal-breaker. Even when it comes to cooking with these milks, coconut milk gets a little unpredictable and may not offer you quite the consistency you were expecting. On the other hand, almond milk works exceedingly well and is justifiably considered to be one of the best dairy alternatives out there. You can either choose to purchase pure almond milk or opt for a flavored almond milk. However, while purchasing make sure you check the nutrition label thoroughly and ensure that it is to your satisfaction. This is because manufacturers have slightly different recipes for almond milks and often certain nutrition values can change significantly.
Life Health Foods 