by Eileen Eva

Created on: September 28, 2010

For vegans, those with lactose intolerance or animal milk allergies, Mother Nature always has an option for you. Plants are a source of alternative milk that matches and at times surpasses the nutrients animal milk gives you. Another reason for opting to take alternatives to dairy products is to stop animal cruelty as cows are always being forced (raped) to give birth so as to produce milk and worse, being injected with hormones so as to produce more milk.

To the cow owners it’s about riches, they don’t give a hoot about the cows or their young ones (calves). Just because as humans we have dominance over animals, it does not mean that animals have no feelings. In our cores we are still animals (mammals), how would you feel seeing your breast milk meant for your baby taken away!

Alternative milk can be obtained from several sources like, almonds, soy beans, rice, oats, hazelnuts and peanuts with the most popular being soy and almond milk.

Almond Milk

A great option if you dislike soy milk, almond milk has a great taste just like almonds do and consist of vitamins and nutrients like Zinc, Vitamin E, Selenium, Protein, Phosphorous, Manganese, Magnesium, Iron, Fiber and Calcium. Flavonoids present in almonds are effective against LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and the antioxidants are said to inhibit growth of free radicals suspected to cause cancer.

With low calories and saturated fats and no cholesterol, almond milk fits those trying to lose weight and with high cholesterol levels.

The Bad Side of Almond Milk

Almond nuts contain goitrogens which interfere with iodine up-take by suppressing thyroid gland functionality.

Bitter almonds should not be mixed with water as they produce cyanide.

Soy Milk

If you are allergic to nuts (almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts etc) soy milk will be way to go. Made from soybeans, soy milk, soya milk, soybean juice or soy juice is the most consumed alterative milk used because it contains almost the same levels of protein as milk from cows. It does not go through as good as almond milk in taste but it contains 3.5% protein, 2.9% carbohydrate, 2% fat and 0.5% ash. This somewhat compares to 2% processed cow milk. It also contains, Lecithin that increases HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), vitamin E, Isoflavones, Sodium, Iron, Calcium and Riboflavin.

The Bad Side of Soy Milk

Due to presence of phytoestrogens, soy milk has been associated with sperm quality and bone mineral density in males.

Isoflavones may lead to fatigue, constipation and heavy menstrual flows in women

You have the good and bad sides of Almond vs. Soy Milk, now you get to be the judge.

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