By now most of us are aware that dairy is inflammatory, and many people have intolerances to it. Dairy is mucus forming and creates inflammation in the body and can throw off our hormones. Luckily, non-dairy milks have become super popular and so many are opting for non-dairy alternatives. While this is a great improvement, so many of the non-dairy options on the market are filled with fillers, gums, oils and all these things create a whole other slew of issues, especially for digestion.
There are tons of options when it comes to non-dairy milks, the most popular are probably almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk and oat milk. The unfortunate truth is that while these alternatives seem better for our health, 99% of the ones we find in our grocery stores are filled with additives that can lead to different health issues.
Most of these non-dairy milks contain gums and thickeners to give these milks that “real milk” consistency as well as preserve shelf life. Typically, you will see these ingredients in the non- dairy alternatives, gellan gum, locust bean gum or carob bean gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, and carrageenan. The issue with these additives is that while most are made from natural sources, they have little to no nutritional benefits and over time with regular consumption can cause digestive issues and wreak havoc on your gut and good bacteria.
Another thing to really be on the lookout for is sugar content, many of these milks are high in sugar and contain cane sugar. If you are going to buy non-dairy milks, try to opt for the unsweetened ones.
Now that we have gone over the issues with many non-dairy options, we want to give you solutions. The best option is and will always be homemade. We know this takes a little extra effort, but once you make your own milks and realize how simple they are to make and how insanely delicious and creamy they are, chances are you will be hooked and not want to go back to store bought. Like anything else, all making your own milks require is a little planning and about 5-10 minutes a week of extra time. We have a bunch of great non dairy milk recipes here on GLW, some made with nuts and some that are nut free.
If you are just not on board to make your own milks, we have rounded up a few GLW approved that are store bought. Unfortunately, the options are scarce and the ones we are providing are the best we could find but some are not organic, which leads to other issues like pesticides, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Here are some good alternatives that don’t contain gums or additives
All Varieties
Elmhurst makes great options and the ingredient list is clean, however they are not organic.
Coconut Milk
This is my personal favorite. I buy the light or regular, when using regular I often blend or add some water to thin it out and store in a glass jar.
Natur All
This brand also has a good variety of milks, including Soy milk. The ingredients are quite clean, but not organic.
We are always on the lookout for other store bought alternatives, but really have grown to enjoy making our own milks and experimenting with different non-dairy options at home. If there are brands you guys love and swear by, we want to know, please leave a comment down below!
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I know in the states you can find MALK almond, cashew, pecan and oat milk. They are organic. Whole Foods carries the brand. https://malkorganics.com/products/