Do you like milk?

Many of us love Dairy. Whether it’s a glass of milk with cookies, a hefty serving of ice cream, or a cheese-heavy sandwich, dairy products feature prominently in a lot of aspects of our diet. However, for every person who adores dairy, there’s another who’s completely unable to have any of it, because of lactose intolerance.

This is a sad state of affairs, as milk in particular is a rich source of high quality proteins and vitamins like calcium and vitamin B. they’re also great sources of calories and carbohydrates, which may not seem appealing for adults trying to lose weight, but is critical for those who are looking to gain weight, or are still developing their bodies.

Not all is lost, however – because of modern innovations, there are alternatives to dairy products that are both safe for consumption and just as tasty as dairy. This is especially true for milk, of which there are many non-dairy alternatives available.

But which version is good for you, and which ones fit best with the fast metabolism diet?

Let’s find out!

GETTING TO KNOW MOO

Majority of dairy products are made with cow’s milk, though occasionally goat’s milk is used to similar tastes. Cow’s milk is a protein-rich liquid that is also packed with calories and healthy fats and carbohydrates.

However, cow’s milk also contains certain sugars that can trigger allergic reactions in people, which is known as lactose intolerance. This occurs when the body’s digestive system is unable to break down these sugars into its nutrient parts, causing irritation in the gastric system.

In others still, dairy milk can cause allergic reactions due to the proteins found in it. Just as some people can’t metabolize red meat, some people can’t digest the proteins in dairy, which triggers an overreaction with the immune system that can lead to rashes, vomiting, or even severe choking.

WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE THERE?

There are many dairy milk alternatives in the market today – but just like dairy milk, they have their own pros and cons.

Soy milk is one of the most popular options because its nutrients are the closest to dairy milk’s. Soybeans are hefty sources of plant-based proteins, which goes to follow that food products made with it would also have high amounts of protein as well.

However, there’s some controversy over soy milk’s other nutrients, which can affect estrogen production in women especially during pregnancy. Soy contains allergens as well, and there are many people who may have severe reactions to these allergens.

Rice milk is another popular dairy milk alternative, and is considered the most safe for consumption out of the options, because it’s both gluten-free and FODMAP-safe. It’s also free of nut allergens, and is low in fat.

On the other hand, rice milk is also low on protein and high in carbohydrates, and is naturally sweet, which can be a concern for dieters watching their sugar intake and weight.

Almond milk is the crowd favorite, and you’ll always find this option available at your favorite coffee shops and cafes because of its light, sweet flavor. It’s also low on calories, fats, and carbohydrates compared to other alternatives, which endears this non-dairy milk to people on weight loss programs.

The downside to almond milk is that it contains nut allergens, as it’s a tree nut, and also has high amounts of phytic acid, which lowers the absorption rate of essential minerals like calcium and iron.

DEAR DAIRY…

There are other dairy alternatives like oat milk, cashew milk, and coconut milk, all of which also have their advantages and disadvantages. What’s important is that, as a consumer, we choose what works best for our diet, and that the alternative we choose works well with the metabolism foods that are already part of our diet.

The COVID-19 pandemic is no reason to stop looking for foods that work best for our health. If dairy isn’t providing the nutrition that you need, then it may be time to choose a different milk.

Eat healthy and stay safe, everyone, and until the next article!

The post Dairy-Free Milk: Which Alternative are You Looking For? appeared first on The Fast Metabolism Diet Community.