In recent years, non-dairy โmilksโ have exploded in popularity. While many look similar to cowโs milk, they vary considerably in taste and nutrition. There are many reasons people choose to go dairy-free. Whether you have a dairy allergy, want to use fewer animal products, or simply prefer the taste, knowing what to look for on a label will ensure you donโt compromise your nutrition in the process.
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง is a building nutrient that supports muscle and bone health. It also helps us feel fuller, making it a worthwhile nutrient to check on labels. While dairy milk provide about 9 grams per cup, most non-dairy drinks provide only 1 or 2 grams at most. Soy is the exception to this rule. Itโs the closest cousin to dairy, clocking in at a respectable 8 grams of protein per cup.
๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ซ content varies considerably between different products and brands. Youโll find it listed on labels in grams. Divide this by four to get the sugar content in teaspoons. For example, 8 grams of sugar is equivalent to 2 teaspoons. When it comes to sugar, less is more. Choose unsweetened varieties and give added sugar a miss.
Finally, itโs worth considering ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ. Not all non-dairy beverages are a good source and some contain none at all. Products with 30% of the daily value (DV) for calcium are comparable to cowโs milk.
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