ASK THE FOX – IS RICE MILK RIGHT FOR YOU?

Hi Fox,

 

I know that Rice Milk doesn’t pack the protein punch of soy or almond milk, but how does it fare nutritionally? Better or worse than soy?

 

Yours,

Dairy Free

 

Dearest Dairy Free,

 

There are three types of dairy-free milks sold in most health food stores today: (1) soy milk, (2) rice milk, and (3) almond milk. All three come in various flavors including plain, vanilla, chocolate, unsweetened, and sometimes, carob. (Carob unsweetened almond milk is hard to find, but one of my personal favorites. Add a little agave nectar and it is just dreamy!)

 

SOY MILK

Soy milk is the only vegan milk that is comparable to cow milk in terms of protein content. Cow milk has 8 grams of protein, and soy milk can have between 8 and 11 grams of protein per serving. So if you are concerned you are not getting enough protein in your vegan or vegetarian diet, you may want to include soy milk as a part of your daily diet.

 

As I mentioned in my blog, Is Too Much Soy Dangerous?, soy may be dangerous for non-Asian women with family histories of breast cancer. However, soy milk is safe if you limit total daily soy consumption to one glass of soy milk a day and one serving of tofu (or other traditional soy product).

 

RICE MILK

Dearest Reader, you are correct when you write that rice milk does not have the protein and good fats that soy milk has. Rice milk is packed with carbohydrates and should not be considered a nutritional replacement for dairy milk because it lacks the fat and protein found in other milks. Most rice milk brands are sweetened with brown rice syrup or evaporated cane juice, which ups the sugar, carbs, and calorie content. However, its sweet taste does make it an excellent replacement for dairy in baked goods.

 

Rice milk is also low in protein content, having 1 to 2 grams of protein per serving. So why would you choose rice milk over soy, cow and almond milk? If you have nut allergies, are lactose-intolerant and/or have a history of breast cancer in your family, rice milk may be the right vegan milk for you.

 

ALMOND MILK

Believe it or not, store-bought almond milk is NOT high in protein. Most brands of almond milk sold in stores have only 1 gram of protein per cup. However, “what sets almond milk apart is its high vitamin E content. According to Blue Diamond Growers’ specifications, one cup of almond milk (240 ml) contains 14.99 IU of natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol). In contrast, the USDA nutrient database reports one cup of soymilk has 3.31 mg alpha-tocopherol and 1.35 mg vitamin E added” (click here to read “Thoroughly Modern Milk”).

 

If you make almond milk yourself, and do not strain out the almond pulp, you may get up to 5 grams of protein per serving. Raw vegan enthusiasts say it can be easy to make your own almond milk. Take a cup of raw, organic almonds, soak them in purified water overnight, drain and rinse them in the morning, then blend with four cups of water in a high-speed blender. The milk will be chalky when it is not strained, but it will be full of all the protein , fats, and nutrients almonds are famous for. According to sixwise.com, “Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat. They’re rich in magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, and calcium. Almond milk, then, may be one of the more nutritious milk alternatives on the market.”

 

Vegan milks have no cholesterol or saturated fat and are lower in calories than milk. They are lactose-free, environmentally sustainable, and do not harm animals when produced. Based on your protein needs and your personal family history, I am sure you will find the vegan milk that is right for you.

 

HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE HEALTHY FOX?  EMAIL ME AT thehealthyfox@gmail.com. 

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