Oat milk is a greener alternative to regular cow’s milk. However, oat milk does not come without its impact on the environment. Oat milk requires more processing, thus more energy than its dairy alternative.
Is oat milk healthier than other milks?
Since oat milk is made from a carbohydrate, it also contains more sugar than other milks. Like almond milk and cow’s milk, commercial oat milk brands are typically enriched with vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and vitamin D.
This of course begs the query “What is the difference between oat milk and dairy milk?”
One of the biggest and most important differences between oat milk’s nutrition and dairy milk is the nutrient profile. Oat milk provides fewer nutrients than dairy milk, and most of the nutrients it provides are fortified. That means they’re added during manufacturing, as opposed to occurring naturally.
This begs the question “Is oat milk more sustainable than dairy?”
Oat milk requires more processing, thus more energy than its dairy alternative. Still, when comparing oat milk to cow’s milk, oat milk wins out as the more sustainable option. Put almond milk and oat milk up against one another, and you might be surprised to learn that oat milk is the more sustainable choice.
Why is oat milk more expensive?
Oat milk is a type of milk made from oats that is less processed than dairy milk. It can have more nutrients and fewer calories than cow’s milk. Oat milk is more expensive because it requires an additional step to prepare it, which makes it cost more.
This begs the query “How much does oat milk cost?”
Quite expensive – Oat milk is more expensive than cow’s milk. A quart of oat milk can range from $3, therefore a gallon can set you back almost $10, now that’s a big investment! Certain commercial oat milk products contain higher amounts of sugar. That’s unhealthy because sugar in excessive amounts can reverse the health benefits of oat milk.
Is oat milk good for You?
Apart from iron, all of the nutrients in oat milk are fortified. While dairy milk is fortified with vitamins A and D, the rest of its nutrients occur naturally, making it a naturally nutrient-rich choice. Apart from providing more nutrients overall, dairy milk also has about twice the protein as oat milk.
Another barista, Brendon Clark of The Wooly in downtown Manhattan, attributes oat milk’s creamy texture to its high fat content. Clark says the fat content, which is higher than that of almond milk, is also what makes oat milk steam “wonderfully,” which is just another reason why baristas in particular love it.
Calcium strengthens the bones, and because oat milk is low in calories, sugar, and fat but rich in fiber and protein, it can make your body lose some weight rather than gaining. Can oat milk upset your stomach? Yes, oat milk causes upset stomach resulting from sugar and fiber not breaking down easily in your stomach.
Is oat milk suitable for young children?
But it’s one of the key reasons why oat milk – or indeed reduced fat cow’s milk and other plant-based milk alternatives – isn’t suitable as the main milk drink for young children, as they need the fat to help meet their energy requirements for healthy development. Fibre content is one area where oat milk trumps cow’s milk nutritionally.