Plant Milk or Dairy, Which is Better for Your Health and the Planet
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We can only really find the answer by looking at how each milk effects animals, people and the planet.
For Animals
🥛 Plant milk is a cruelty-free option, requiring no animals to be farmed, impregnated and slaughtered. The opposite can be said for dairy.
For People
🥛 Approximately 70% of the world is lactose intolerant, plant alternatives provide a solution.
🥛 Commercial plant milks can be fortified to include additional nutrients, such as B12.
🥛 Plant milk provides a wide variety of flavour and nutritional content, some of which are similar, or more varied, than dairy milk.
🥛 Approximately 70% of the world is lactose intolerant, plant alternatives provide a solution.
🥛 Commercial plant milks can be fortified to include additional nutrients, such as B12.
🥛 Plant milk provides a wide variety of flavour and nutritional content, some of which are similar, or more varied, than dairy milk.
🥛 However, some plant milks have less essential nutrients than dairy, unless they are fortified. For this reason, parents should be wary of potential deficiencies in children.
🥛 Plant milk generally contains less natural sugar and saturated fats than dairy milk, making them a healthier option.
🥛 Plant milks can easily be made at home, therefore are an easy option for zero waste and low impact lifestyles.
🥛 Plant milk (generally) doesn’t contain hormones that can mess with the hormonal system (soy contains a natural hormone).
🥛 Plant milk tends to cost more than dairy. This can be a barrier for some people.For this reason, parents should be wary of potential deficiencies in children.
🥛 Plant milk generally contains less natural sugar and saturated fats than dairy milk, making them a healthier option.
🥛 Plant milks can easily be made at home, therefore are an easy option for zero waste and low impact lifestyles.
🥛 Plant milk (generally) doesn’t contain hormones that can mess with the hormonal system (soy contains a natural hormone).
🥛 Plant milk tends to cost more than dairy. This can be a barrier for some people.
For the Planet
🥛 Generally, plant milks use up to 9 times less land per litre than dairy, use less water, and create fewer emissions.
🥛 Some plant milks are highly sustainable, such as;
- coconut and oat — use far less water
- hemp — requires fewer pesticides
- soy — requires less land and pesticides.
🥛 Not all plant milks are created equal. Some are less sustainable than others. For instance, rice and almond require far more water than other plant milks.
🥛 Some milks, like soy and oats, put biodiversity at risk through deforestation, when land is cleared for farming.
Are plant milks better than dairy?
It depends who you are and what you believe. Plant milks are undoubtedly better for animals, and the environment. However, they aren’t without their concerns in these areas. As consumers we should be aware of these issues and try to overcome them, seeking the most sustainable alternatives. Plant milks provide a great alternative to dairy, especially for people with dietary requirements. However, the biggest hurdle could possibly be the lack of public knowledge and understanding for the variety and difference in nutritional content, compared with dairy. Plant milks aren’t fit for everyone, for instance many milks aren’t recommended for children. So what’s best? That’s down to you to decide.
