You will almost certainly have noticed that plant-based alternatives to milk are available far and wide. From the supermarket shelves to the coffee shop menu, your choice of milk today far extends the whole or skimmed options of days gone by. As a result of the extraordinary rise of plant-based milks, sales of cow’s milk have plummeted in the last two years. For the environmentally and health-conscious among us, this is undoubtedly a good thing. So, we’ve put together this handy guide to tasty milk alternatives that you can try to boost your health and wellbeing.

Why is cow’s milk no longer popular?

A recent survey found that there are more than 500,000 vegans in the United Kingdom alone. In one decade, this is an incredible 350% rise, highlighting the recent popularity of veganism throughout the UK. Many people have turned to a vegan diet due to an increase in awareness of the unsustainable nature of meat and dairy farming, while others are concerned with animal rights abuses in the same industries. Lots of people are also becoming aware of the health benefits of following a plant-based diet, which has further fuelled the progression of dairy-based alternatives to milk. Let’s look at some of the most popular options available to vegans today.

Almond milk

The best thing about almond milk is that it is low in calories and contains no saturated fat. Granted, it doesn’t pack a great deal of protein when compared to cow’s milk, but it is a great option for vegans who are concerned with their calorie intake. It’s delicious, too, which is also a big bonus when you’re choosing what to add to your morning smoothie!

Coconut milk 

Coconuts are used in so many industries today, thanks to their incredible health benefits. They’re also widely available in certain parts of the world and can be enjoyed in so many different ways. In the UK, coconut milk is particularly popular, with coconut lattes popping up in coffee shops up and down the country. Although coconut milk is relatively high in calories, it’s an excellent source of magnesium and iron, which helps your body maintain a balance of several of its essential nutrients.

Oat milk

For a long time now, oat milk has been the talk of the town. It’s rich, sweet, and creamy and is arguably the best alternative to cow’s milk in terms of taste. It is packed with beta-glucans which are known to lower cholesterol, and oat milk is actually higher in calcium than cow’s milk, which surprises a lot of people. So, if you’re looking for a cow’s milk alternative that tastes great and is packed with health benefits, oat milk could be a good choice for you.

Soy milk

Soy milk was the original alternative to dairy milk and has long been popular with vegans. However, in recent times, people have become aware that the growth of soybeans in some parts of the world is not great for the environment and with the huge variety of alternatives, many vegans have switched to the likes of almond, coconut, and oat milk.

The fact of the matter is that if you’re hoping to follow a plant-based diet in 2022, it’s never been easier to do so. Whether you add milk to your smoothie mix to make a delicious milkshake, your morning porridge, or some delicious baked goods, you have so many choices if you don’t want to use cow’s milk. It’s a sign of the times that these products are so popular, and we are likely to see various other plant-based milks emerge in coming years as more and more people switch to a plant-based diet.