It's no secret that plant based milk has been getting steadily more popular over the past few years.
According to the BBC, sales of plant based milk were estimated to reach £458 million in 2023. So whether you're grabbing a coffee to-go, or doing your weekly shop, there's never been so many plant based choices. However, that raises the question... which is the healthiest?
Scroll down to discover which milk alternative is the healthiest option on the market.
Oat Milk is made by blending oats and water together, then straining the mixture to separate the milk from the pulp. A popular choice for its creamy texture and naturally sweet flavour, it's quickly become the trendy, go-to option for coffees. In fact, this year The Guardian said "oat milk romped ahead with growth of 7.2%" when compared to 2024.
The question is... how does it stack up in terms of nutritional benefit?
Looking at the UK's most popular oat milk supplier, Oatly, a 240ml serving contains:
There are several health benefits associated with oat milk. It contains soluble fibre which helps with digestion and leaves you feeling fuller for longer. It can also help with stabilising blood sugar levels and reducing cholesterol.
While it's higher in calories than other plant based choices, oat milk is still a great, nutrient rich and versatile choice.
Almond Milk is a nutty milk alternative made by soaking almonds in water, then blending and subsequently draining the mixture. It's a tasty dairy alternative that's great for a number of uses including for hot drinks, recipes or even splashing over your morning cereal.
It's quite common for store bought almond milk to have added vitamins and minerals to boost its nutritional profile. Fortified almond milk can be a great source of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and calcium too.
A standard 240ml serving of unsweetened almond milk contains:
While it might not be as naturally nutrient dense as its counterparts, almond milk does have some unique health benefits. It's lower in calories and carbohydrates compared to regular cow's milk, making it a great choice overall.
Moreover, almond milk is naturally rich in Vitamin E which has powerful antioxidant properties that have been linked with promoting clear skin.
Coconut Milk is made from (as the name suggests) the white flesh of coconuts. It has a naturally sweet, tropical flavour that is diluted with water to give it the same consistency and texture as cow's milk.
According to BBC Good Food, around half of the fatty acids in coconut oil are made up of lauric acid. This unique acid is converted by the body into an antimicrobial and antifungal compound that helps to prevent disease-causing organisms.
Therefore, it's widely believed that coconut milk and coconut-derived foods can help protect the body from infections and viruses.
A standard 240ml measure of coconut milk contains:
While coconut milk is slightly higher in fat than almond and soya, this unique plant based milk has a number of health benefits that can't be found elsewhere.
Soya Milk has a nutritionally dense profile that's remarkably similar to cow's milk. This is partly because soybeans are naturally rich in protein. They contain all nine of the essential amino acids for bodily growth and repair.
It's also low in saturated fat which is great for heart health and may even support in alleviating symptoms of menopause.
A 100g serving of unsweetened soya milk contains:
Like oat milk, studies have shown that soya has several health benefits including reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. Moreover, because its dense in protein and other nutrients, soya milk is the closest direct substitute to cow's milk.
After looking in depth at the health benefits of each plant based milk, it's clear there is no obvious answer. Rather, the healthiest in this context is entirely dependent on you and your own health needs.
Looking for a protein rich substitute for cow's milk? Then you should grab yourself some soya milk. Need something to help lower cholesterol and blood sugar. Look no further than a carton of creamy oat milk. Want a unique, nutty milk alternative with plenty of skin-clearing Vitamin E? Turns out almond milk is your best bet.
There's no clear-cut answer, with each of these plant based milks having their own unique flavours, health benefits and nutrient profiles. Regardless of which you choose, you're sure to get a great tasting, nutrient rich alternative to regular cow's milk.
It’s the bugbear of any kitchen. One minute your loaf of bread is tasty and fresh, the next it’s starting to go mouldy. Whether it's store bought or freshly baked, it can be tricky getting your bread to last for as long as possible.
Wondering how to keep your bread fresh?
Read ahead to discover our top tips for keeping your bread fresh and reusing stale bread.
The easiest way to ensure your bread stays fresh past the best before date is to store it in a cool, dry place. This could be anywhere from a kitchen cupboard to a space on your worktop (although make sure it’s out of direct sunlight). If you want to keep your bread on the worktop, be mindful not to store it near appliances that emit heat e.g. kettles, microwaves, air fryers, etc.
You might be sceptical, but freezing bread is an excellent way to ensure it stays fresh for extended periods of time. Make sure your loaf is wrapped tightly in a plastic wrap (or an airtight freezer bag), and just pop it in a freezer drawer until you’re ready to defrost and eat.
Try adding a layer of foil on top of the plastic to keep it fresh for up to six months!
Bread boxes are an excellent way to store your bread and add a flair of style to your kitchen. They allow air to circulate and keep the bread from growing mould. It’s the go-to option for many bakers and bread aficionados, balancing moisture levels and air circulation to ensure your bread stays fresh.
If your bread has started to go stale, before you throw it away there’s a number of things you could do with it. You could make some crispy croutons, some bread and butter pudding, or even leave it out for the birds to eat. The possibilities are endless!
If you’re hankering for bread after reading our blog post, why not grab one of our fresh loaves of Hovis bread.
At Doorstep Dairy Co. we sell a range of fresh, glass-bottled milk. Aside from upholding the tradition of delivering milk, packaging milk in glass bottles is also better for the environment.
This way every time you receive a milk delivery, we’re helping you to help the planet.
Read ahead to discover why glass-bottled milk is more sustainable and why you should consider switching to glass.
The main factor in the glass vs plastic debate is that of their respective ecological impact. Glass bottles are far more sustainable and eco-friendly than plastic. They can be recycled and reused upwards of 20 times, whereas plastic can take hundreds of years to fully decompose.
This means plastic containers can often end up in landfills and the ocean.
So, when comparing their sustainability and carbon footprint it’s apparent that glass is far more environmentally friendly.
A big difference between plastic containers and glass bottles is that glass is a non-porous material. This means it doesn’t leach into the milk. In contrast, plastic can release harmful chemicals like BPA into the milk, which ultimately means glass is a safe choice for you and your family.
It’s been reported that milk stored in glass bottles actually tastes better than milk stored in plastic.
Because it’s impermeable, glass doesn’t affect the taste of the milk. Whereas milk stored in plastic containers tastes different, because of plastic’s porous nature. This has led to the widespread belief that glass-bottled milk tastes better.
If you’re thinking of ditching plastic and switching to glass-bottled milk, take a look at our website and set up your regular milk delivery today!
At Doorstep Dairy Co. we’re committed to providing high-quality, farm-fresh products to our customers. We stock a wide range of grocery essentials but our area of expertise is milk.
We’re milk mad!
Our fridges are full of skimmed, semi-skimmed, whole, lacto-free, oat, almond and even soya - you name it, we’ve got it. Aside from the delicious taste, there’s actually a number of health benefits to drinking milk and consuming dairy products.
You can read about the benefits below and browse our website to start your own milk delivery.
It’s been proven that milk is one of the most vitamin dense drinks available. It has an impressive nutrient profile and plays a key role in a balanced diet. Whether you’re a semi-skimmed or whole person, your body will get plenty of vitamins and minerals from drinking milk.
Some of these include:
Moreover, it’s got an excellent flavour profile too!
There are countless turns of phrase about how drinking milk will give you strong teeth and bones. There’s plenty of truth behind this, though. Milk has a combination of vitamins and nutrients which are proven to promote bone growth.
There’s also studies linking milk and dairy consumption with a reduced risk of osteoporosis, particularly among elderly people.
This is because of the high protein levels in milk. Protein is a key nutrient for bone health and makes up roughly 50% of the average bone’s volume.
Have you ever felt energised after drinking a glass of milk?
That’s because of lactose, a naturally occurring sugar that provides energy to your body upon consumption. The next time you need an energy boost, stay away from energy drinks and try a glass of milk instead.
There are several studies which have found a correlation between drinking milk and a lower risk of obesity.
This is actually specific to whole milk; the linoleic acid helps to break down fat and simultaneously inhibits the production of fat. Evidence also suggests that increased calcium levels (which milk has plenty of) can lead to lower risks associated with obesity.
If you’re hankering for some milk after reading this, have a look through our website and start your milk delivery today!
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