Got Milk Alternatives?

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Michelle had a post on Facebook that was basically an explosion of joy about the PureAlmond almond milk made by Silk. It reminded me that, although I’ve never used much dairy and so was pretty quick to settle on a cruelty-free alternative for my basic needs, plenty of you out there are still exploring whatever non-dairy options you can find.

Way before my vegan days, I was a soy-formula baby; and my father also has a milk allergy, so I grew up in a non-vegetarian household where the norm always has been coffee black and cereal dry. However, now that I’m all grown up, I’ve come to enjoy my coffee with a little “milk” and sweetener (stevia) sometimes, and cereal with fruit is a common choice for breakfast… not dry. I immediately was satisfied with rice milk, and I’m a creature of habit. Soy milk comes into play only when I’m at a restaurant or cafe. Or feeling like treating myself to a soy frappuccino at Starbucks.  But my husband Seth and my mom both have preferences for some of the other options, and so might you. So here’s the list of milk alternatives you might want to try for yourself, or could expect to see on my table if you stopped by for a quick cup ‘o joe with me.

• Soy Milk
  I start with this one not because I use it the most, but because  it is definitely the most ubiquitous option. I try to limit my soy intake, but usually if there’s a milk alternative at an eaterie or cafe, this is going to be it.  Places like Starbucks use vanilla soy milk, which has just a touch of sweetness. Good ones to try: Silk, EdenSoy
• Rice Milk
  As I mentioned, this is my preferred alternative for adding to coffee or pouring over cereal. It’s thinner and lighter than the other options, and so might not be the best for baking. Our rice-milk faves: Rice Dream, Trader Joe’s Rice Drink. Eden Organic’s EdenBlend is a combination of rice and soy.
• Almond Milk
  So Michelle’s tip is right on: Silk’s PureAlmond wins out for those of you who like this creamy, slightly nutty, alternative. Seth agrees that PureAlmond is the best almond milk around. Others to try: Almond Breeze by Blue Diamond and Almond Dream. If you are someone who likes cream in your coffee, this thicker and sweeter alternative probably is going to be your fave. My mom agrees.
• Hemp Milk
  This actually is Seth’s favorite alternative. It’s not as thick as almond milk, or as sweet, so it’s nice for everyday needs. Brands we use: Living Harvest Tempt, Trader Joe’s Hemp Drink.
• Coconut Milk
  Especially if you are skeptical about non-dairy alternatives, this is the one you must try. Seth says that this is the “closest to milk” — you could pour yourself a tall glass of this one! He likes it in his coffee, and I’ve had it with cereal from time to time when we’ve had a carton in the fridge. It’s also good for cooking and baking. So Delicious made by Turtle Mountain is our brand of choice. So Delicious also makes other coconut-milk products. The ice cream is so good it’s ridiculous; the yogurt, in my opinion, is the best non-dairy yogurt out there; and there’s a creamer for your coffee, which I’ve bought in the past for mom. Silk makes PureCoconut, which is also pretty awesome.

How about some Chocolate Milk?
Many of these brands also make chocolate milk. If I’m ever going to have chocolate milk, I go with the almond milk version. It’s quite delicious without being too sweet.

For the Lunchboxes
If you’re packing a lunch and want to give your kids soemthing other than water or juice, your local grocery store likely has 3-packs of 8-oz. boxes available in either regular or chocolate flavor. I’ve seen both EdenSoy and Rice Dream on the supermarket shelf… you don’t even have to schlep to Whole Foods to find them!

At the Workplace
The coffee corner at the law school (my workplace these days) doesn’t offer a non-dairy alternative, so I asked if it would be all right for me to bring my own box of rice milk and keep it in their refrigerator (with my name on it). In a matter of weeks, one of the young women working there told me that others had started asking about it and wanting to use it. I’m still working on getting the place to begin offering non-dairy milk on their own; but in the mean time, I’m making the manager aware of the demand. Why not add a box of soy milk or rice milk to your employee lounge or the cafeteria’s fridge if there’s none currently available? See what happens…

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   Tonya says:

   March 8, 2011 at 12:21 pm

   Great article! It’s never been easier to kick the dairy habit! Our whole family loves So Delicious coconut milk! And you’re right. They absolutely taste closest to dairy milk. My son didn’t even know we’d made the switch! I just found their new chocolate coconut milk in little single serving cartons that are perfect for my kids’ lunch boxes and my glove compartment!

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     sharondisco says:

     March 8, 2011 at 2:09 pm

     LOVE it! Thanks for sharing

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