Photo by Yvonne Baptista
Here are 6 Milk Alternatives you did not know!
Who doesn’t like a cup of chai to begin their day with? Or eat that paneer which your mom so lovingly prepared for lunch? Who doesn’t like to beat the Indian summer with a glass of Lassi or eat Barfi any chance you get?
India is a country that has been crazy about dairy products throughout history, be it a family celebration, religious ritual or a regular day, we consume milk products all the time. It is not surprising to see someone who is on the journey to be a Vegan struggling to give up dairy.
Transitions are always overwhelming. But let me tell you something – if we pause, relax and educate ourselves we will realize that being Vegan does not mean eating bland plant-based food. It means exploring this whole other world out there full of divine taste is best for our health and the only way to save the Earth.
Here’s sharing with you six alternatives for milk, their nutritional benefits and the lip-smacking dishes they are used to make.
1. Coconut Milk:
Coconut Milk is very easy to prepare at home. Doctors suggest it over market tetra packs. This nut-based milk is an excellent source of vitamin, mineral and protein. It prevents heart diseases and also helps in weight maintenance. There are a lot of companies selling coconut milk in major cities of India; one can use them in a lot of dishes like curries, mocktails, cookies and desserts. This milk is the best for making the fruit milkshake and coconut milk coffee.
Photo by Yvonne Baptista
2. Almond Milk:
Almond milk can be made effortlessly and tastes heavenly. All one needs to do is mix the almonds that have been soaked for at least 8 hours with fresh water in a blender at high speed. It is best for preparing gajar ka halwa, phirni and especially our Indian Chai.
It’s low in calories, rich in Vitamin D and doesn’t raise your blood sugar.
Photo by Yvonne Baptista
3. Cashew Milk:
Cashew milk is quite addictive for the sole reason that it tastes really good. It can be easily prepared in ten minutes from soaked cashews. It is known for its great capability of thickening soups and puddings. Cashew tea has an essence and aroma of its own which is very inviting.
It is excellent for your skin, eyes, boosts immune health and most importantly it is said to have anti-cancer effects.
4. Rice Milk:
Rice milk is classified as grain milk and is a nutritious alternative to dairy. It is usually made from unpolished rice. It does not contain any CHOLESTEROL or LACTOSE which makes it a very good milk option for people struggling with obesity and cardiovascular issues. Drinking it can lower your risk of heart attacks and strokes. It is very easy to prepare at home with a blender and the most interesting thing is that it can stay in the refrigerator until a week. Cooked rice milk is another nutritious option you have. It is perfect for your smoothies, granola and more.
5. Peanut Milk:
Peanut milk does not taste the best but is better if combined with other kinds of milk. When combined with rice milk it becomes thick and frothy which is great for making curd. Nothing one can beat chaas, raita, curd made from peanut milk.
This legume is packed with heart-healthy unsaturated fats, is a good source of Vitamin E and has loads of Vitamin B-6 and magnesium.
6. Soy Milk:
Soy is the powerhouse of protein. Classified as legume-based milk, it contains all the amino acids that you need in your diet. It is a good source of potassium. Soy milk can be easily made at home and ins available in stores too.
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It contains as much protein as cow’s milk, yet is lower in calories than whole milk and about equal to the calories in 1 percent or 2 percent milk. It contains very little saturated fat, which makes it a healthy milk option.
If you are a person with a sweet tooth there are so many heavenly recipes for you to explore with dairy alternatives and they will certainly make your transition into the vegan journey easy. And hey! You might just wave that forever goodbye to numerous lifestyle diseases and instead enjoy a healthy relationship with yourself!
Source: Dairy Alternatives by Dr. Rupa Shah.
