Today, there is a crazy amount of different kinds of milk. Not having an issue with dairy, I never felt the need to try anything new. But when a friend recently informed me that I had to try oat milk – with an enthusiasm I’d never seen towards any sort of beverage – I obliged. I’m so glad I did. It’s my new favorite milk alternative, and it should be yours.
Woah, woah, woah. What’s oat milk?
Oat milk is a milk alternative made of oats and water blended together and strained, which makes for a thick and creamy texture and an even sweeter taste. And it’s healthy! The nutritional benefits of oats are retained when the milk is made, such as their “fiber, healthy fat, and protein.”
Okay, cool. So what makes oat milk different from the other milk alternatives?
I haven’t tried many, because a lot of them are nut-based, and I’m allergic. Oat milk doesn’t have that problem. It’s gluten-free (just check the label to make sure it’s not processed on the same machinery), sugar-free, nut-free, and of course, dairy-free. For my people with allergies, I know this is music to your ears.
Also, according to Keri Gans, author of The Small Change Diet, “Compared to cow’s milk and soy milk [oat milk] has less protein; however, compared to other plant-based beverages, e.g., almond, cashew, coconut, and rice, it has more protein.” So for those of you who have gone totally dairy free, oat milk is a better milk option for getting your protein.
How can I use oat milk?
Oat milk can be used in literally anything from your morning bowl of cereal to your iced vanilla latte (you could even drink it straight. I know I would!). Oat milk can also be used in recipes in which milk is called for, so your pancakes could be taken up to the next level with this creamy milk alternative.
Oat milk is just one of the many milk alternatives out there, signaling a considerable shift from dairy products to non-dairy products. In this case, I’ve found that oat milk is preferable to plain old cow’s milk because of its creamy texture and sweet taste. With oat milk in your life and in your cup of coffee, life becomes even sweeter.