Your LiveWell Community Café offers delicious beverages made with various types of milk and ALL AT THE SAME PRICE!
Taste is probably your main criteria when choosing which milk to have in your coffee, but if you have ever wondered about the nutritional value of various milks, read on.
Cows Milk
Cow’s milk is what most of us have in our coffee and is a good source of protein and naturally rich in calcium, B vitamins, and many minerals. It’s also often fortified with vitamins A and D.
An 8-ounce (240-ml) serving of supermarket bought whole milk provided the following:
Calories: 149
Protein: 8 grams
Carbs: 12 grams
Fat: 8 grams (But you can get skimmed or semi skimmed options.)
Plus good source of Vitamin D, Calcium, Riboflavin, Phosphorus.
Note: The protein in cow’s milk is a common allergen and some people have difficulty in digesting lactose. These people need to avoid cow’s milk and foods containing it.
Soy Milk
Nutritionally, soy milk comes closest to cow’s milk as soy beans are an excellent source of protein, and almost all brands are fortified with extra vitamins and minerals.
An 8-ounce (240-ml) serving of unsweetened supermarket bought soy milk provided the following:
Calories: 105
Protein: 6 grams
Carbs: 12 grams
Fat: 4 grams
Plus good source of B12, Calcium, Riboflavin, Vitamin D.
Note: Soy has been the subject of controversy, as some soy beans are genetically modified. If you are worried about this, look for an organic brand.
Oat Milk
Oat milk is higher in carbohydrates than most other plant milks, but it contains soluble fibre which helps reduce cholesterol levels, keeps you feeling full for longer and imparts a creamy taste.
Although nutritional values can vary by brand depending on whether the milk is fortified, an 8-ounce (240-ml) serving of a supermarket brand of oat milk provided the following:
Calories: 120
Protein: 3 grams
Carbs: 16 grams
Fibre: 2 grams
Fat: 5 grams
Good source of Vitamin B12, Riboflavin, calcium and phosphorus
Almond Milk
Nutritionally, almond milk is very different from cow’s milk, the unsweetened version being low in calories and much lower in carbs than cow’s milk. Although almond milk is a naturally good source of the antioxidant vitamin E, it is low in protein and many other nutrients. Many brands are fortified with vitamins and minerals, but the amounts can vary.
An 8-ounce (240-ml) serving of supermarket purchased unsweetened almond milk provided the following:
Calories: 41
Protein: 1 gram
Carbs: 2 grams
Fat: 3 grams
Excellent source of Vitamin E. Other vitamins and minerals often added.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk has even less protein than almond milk, but many brands are fortified with nutrients.
An 8-ounce (240-ml) serving of an unsweetened supermarket bought coconut milk provided the following:
Calories: 46
Protein: none
Carbs: 1 gram
Fat: 4 grams
Good source of B12, D, and A.
Note: the type and amount of nutrients added varies between brands, so be sure to compare the labels.
Conclusion
As different milks offer different health advantages, it could be a good idea to mix up the types of milk you drink. Except for soya milk, plant milk is lower in protein than dairy milk, so check with your doctor if you want to serve this to a young child. And remember to check labels for added ingredients – both good and bad.
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