Hey everyone!
So one of the hardest things about being Lactose intolerant is not being able to have milk. It can be hard for people with this issue to stomach liquid dairy that contains lactose; Even with Lactaid pills. I feel many of my compatriots with know what I am talking about. So what can you do? Give it all up? Sure that is one option, but it is not much fun. From cereal in the morning to alfredo for dinner, it is hard to beat those flavors. So, do you have it anyway? That will not work unless you feel it is worth being down for the count for a few days. My solution? Find a Lactose free milk alternative that you can drink and use in your recipes at home. We are so lucky to be living in a time where we have access to so many milk alternatives. I have been drinking this stuff for years. I have reviewed six types of milks that I have use or have heard of. Below is part 1 of this review for some of the modern alternatives that are out there for regular milk:
- Silk Cashew milk (Image from google images)
Cashew-milk…I can honestly say that I have not tried this as an alternative. “Why?”, you ask. Well, though it is marked as an alternative to dairy… IT CONTAINS DAIRY! At least the Silk cashew-milk does. The last time I picked up a carton of this stuff on the back it said, “ Contains skim milk, Contains lactose”. Just because something is marketed as an alternative or even labeled as “lactose free” it does NOT meant that it is. Read the ingredients and nutrition labels. I have made the mistake of not doing so. Learn from my mistakes and save your evening. Now, It has been a while since I picked up a carton. Perhaps, the ingredients have changed. So, until these ingredients are removed I can not rate this product.
2) Soy milk (image via google images )
Okay, so I know what you are thinking, “Silk brand again?”, well, yes. I like Silk soy milk, however, it is not the only brand of soy milk out there, and it is not the only brand I have tried or that I like. I feel like soy milk was the first alternative out there. When soy milk first came out, it was hard to find. The some brands expensive, some had a chalky texture, some had a really thick or chunky texture, some just did not taste great, and some had an okay flavor. Now, soy milk is easier to find and brands are getting better at developing flavor. There are some other brands that I will use, but usually buy Silk when I get soy milk. I even used the “shelf-safe” storage box of Silk when I was in college. This being said, here is my review for this alternative.
Taste? - Soy milk does not taste like milk from a cow. For some, it does have a “soy taste” or a little bit of a “nut taste” to it. This being said, it’s taste is not over powering. You will know you are not drinking “normal milk”, but you it doesn’t take the joy out of drinking your tea, (or coffee) in the morning.
Varieties in the brand? There are so many types to choose from. The last time I looked on the silk website, their soy milk options included: original, vanilla, very vanilla, protein plus, chocolate, light, and organic. They also have unsweetened options of many of their flavors.
What can you do with it? - Soy milk goes great on your cereal in the morning and is great for baking. I have used it in my tea, hot chocolate, and for baking brownies. In baking you can not taste a difference. I have friends that use soy milk as an alternative to milk in their mashed potatoes. Personally, I have not been brave enough to use it in my savory cooking, however, when I do I will add an update to this post.
Is this the right alternative for me? - This is a question you need to answer for yourself. Soy milk is pretty flexible. It allows me to enjoy my green-tea frappuccino at Starbucks and the whole family to enjoy desert. I use soy milk every now and then. I have to say that this is my second favorite alternative, because of it’s versatility.
3) Coconut milk - I am not a fan of coconut, so I have not had this myself. However, felt it was worth mentioning as an option for my lactose intolerant brethren. As an ingredient in cooking and for a drink, coconut milk is pretty popular. So if you are a coconut fan, perhaps this is the perfect option for you. Please share your experiences.
More of my review to come next week! Check back soon soon for information on rice milk, almond milk, and Lactaid!
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