Soy milk
and almond milk are the top two most popular dairy milk alternatives that are recommended
for people with allergies, lactose intolerance, diabetes or heart diseases. They
can also be used when baking or cooking savory dishes. So which one is better for you? I did a bit of research to help you decide.
Photo from: SeriousEats.com
Quick Facts
It
Doesn’t Taste Like Milk: Honestly, the taste of soy milk takes some getting
used to when you are used to drinking regular milk. The consistency is a little thicker and the
original tastes a little “beany”, which is why I prefer the vanilla flavor. I don’t like to drink it
alone, but it works great for me in cereals, with pancakes or with cookies. Online reviews say that almond milk tastes sweeter and nuttier. I haven't tried the original almond milk, but I have tried Silk Pure Vanilla Almond, which tasted like I was drinking vanilla bean ice cream. Yummy :-)
Soy
Milk is High in Protein: It’s the only one that’s comparable to cow’s milk,
providing between 8 and 11 grams of protein per cup. Soy protein also has beneficial
effects on cholesterol levels and may also help keep your bones strong.
Almond
Milk is Lower in Calories: If you’re counting calories, almond milk tends to be
quite a bit lower in calories and sugar than most of the other non-dairy milks.
It also contains monounsaturated
fats, which are the same heart-healthy fats found in olive oil. Almond milk is
fairly low in protein.
Calories for the original and vanilla flavors of each:
- Silk Original Soy Milk: 90 calories per serving
- Silk Pure Almond Original: 60 calories per serving
- Silk Vanilla: 100 calories per serving
- Silk Pure Almond Vanilla: 90 calories per serving
- Silk Pure Almond Unsweetened Original or Vanilla: 30 calories per serving
Nutritional
benefits: Cow’s milk is a major source of calcium and vitamin D and non-dairy
milks are not naturally high in these nutrients. Some brands are fortified to
make them comparable to cow’s milk as a source of calcium and vitamin D. Both
soy and almond milk are excellent sources of B vitamins and all essential
minerals including iron, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, copper and manganese.
These minerals help control your blood pressure, improve your blood
oxygenation, and protect you against diseases.
One notable advantage of almond milk is that it is much higher in
vitamin E and manganese, making it a more powerful drink for improvement of
skin quality and protection against cancer. However, most brands of soy and almond milk
contain added sugar, salt, and other things to improve the flavor (almond
milk usually has more sodium than soy milk).
Resources:
FitDay.com
