Which Non-Dairy Milk Is Right for You?

Looking to remoove dairy from your diet? (See what we did there?)

Milk alternatives give anyone who's vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply trying to do away with dairy the ability to add creaminess to smoothies and other recipes, or simply have something to pour over a bowl of cereal.

But with so many types of non-dairy milk to choose from in the grocery store, you may find yourself lost. So we spoke to nutrition experts to get the pros, cons, nutrition stats, and more for the eight most popular types.
 

Nutrition specs: Silk Original Almond Milk contains 60 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 160 milligrams of sodium, 1 gram of protein, and no cholesterol in each 8-ounce serving.

Taste: Slightly sweet and mildly like almonds. Bonus: It even comes in flavors like vanilla and chocolate.

Pros: "As long as it's fortified, it provides a great source of calcium, Vitamin D, and even a good source of Vitamin E," says Angelone, plus you can make a batch of your own almond milk at home. 

Cons: Some versions contain too much sugar and almost no protein. Leave any almond milks with more than 10 grams of sugar on the shelf.

Best for: Cereal, smoothies, and oatmeal.

 

Nutrition specs: One 8-ounce serving of Silk Original Soymilk contains 110 calories, 95 milligrams of sodium, 4.5 grams of fat, 380 milligrams of potassium and 8 grams of protein.

Taste: Thick and not too sweet. "Taste has traditionally been a big drawback of soy beverages," says Isabel Maples, RDN, a Washington, DC-based nutritionist. "People complain of a chalky taste, but manufacturers have now made improvements in the flavor and texture of this milk alternative."

Pros: Contains almost as much protein as dairy milk, yet is lower in calories than whole milk and comparable to skim milk.

Cons: Too much soy may be a problem for those with thyroid disease. Soy also contains phytoestrogens, which act like estrogen in the body—and too much estrogen might up breast cancer risk.

Best for: Soy milk's neutral taste works well in cereal and coffee.

 

Nutrition specs: Unsweetened Original Hemp Milk from Living Harvest has 8 grams of fat, 125 milligrams of sodium, 1 gram of carbs, 2 grams of protein, and 80 calories in every 8-ounce serving.

Taste: Slightly sweet and nutty, with a thick and creamy texture.

Pros: "It has a higher level of omega-3 fat than the others, a good option for vegans looking for non-meat sources of omega-3 fatty acids," Maples says.

Cons: Separates easily when mixed into hot beverages like coffee leaving floating chunks. Also it's the most expensive out of all the alternatives.

Best for: Its smooth texture is perfect for homemade ice cream.

 

Nutrition specs: Pacific's Hazelnut Original has 110 calories per 8-ounce serving, along with 3.5 grams of fat, 75 milligrams of potassium, 2 grams of protein, and 19 grams of carbs.

Taste: Strong nutty flavor with a roasted aroma and texture similar to almond milk.

Pros: "Hazelnuts are a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E, which promotes healthy hair and skin, as well as boosting the health of the heart muscles," Angelone says.

Cons: Some hazelnut milks—particularly those that are flavored—add 8 to 15 grams of sugar with little protein and fiber.

Best for: Due to its strong flavor, it tastes best in baked goods and coffee.
 

Nutrition specs: One 8-ounce serving of Ripple unsweetened pea protein milk original contains 70 calories, 130 milligrams of sodium, 4.5 grams of fat, 450 milligrams of potassium, 8 grams of protein, and no carbs.

Taste: Mild, with a hint of flour-like flavor; and thick, creamy, and smooth in texture.

Pros: "Pea protein milk has a much higher protein content than most plant-based milks," says Health contributing nutrition editor Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD. "In fact its protein content is on par with cow's milk." It's rich in other nutrients too, she adds, and low in calories. The main ingredient, yellow split peas, isn't a common allergen, so pea protein milk is a good option for people with dairy, soy, or nut allergies.

Cons: The sweetened version contains 15 grams of sugar (nearly 4 teaspoons) per cup.

Best for: Sauces, dairy-free desserts, smoothies.

Nutrition specs: One 8-ounce serving of Good Karma unsweetened flax milk contains 25 calories, 80 milligrams of sodium, 2.5 grams of fat, 1 gram of carbs, and no protein.

Taste: Neutral flavor with a thin texture.

Pros: Like hemp milk and pea protein milk, flax milk is another option for people with dairy, soy, and nut allergies or sensitivities, says Sass. "It's also very low in calories at just 25 per cup, and contains plant-based omega-3 fatty acids."

Cons: Zero protein, and can be more difficult to find than other plant milks.

Best for: Smoothies, dairy-free desserts, dressings and sauces.