Vegan Milk 101

Posted by Faith on March 09, 2023

Milk from a cow is designed by nature to help a calf grow from an 85-pound baby to a 1,500-pound adult. NEWS FLASH: It’s not meant for (or good for) humans. Not to mention the fact that cows exploited by the dairy industry are forcibly impregnated, have their children taken from them shortly after giving birth, and endure painful mutilations, filthy and cramped living conditions, and neglect—all so that humans can take the milk meant for their babies.

Luckily, there are, like, a thousand kind vegan options to pour over your cornflakes or mix in your morning coffee.

Almond Milk

• Our favorite uses: drinking, cooking, baking, pouring on cereal, and stirring into tea and coffee
• Fortified varieties are a great source of calcium and vitamins A, D, and E.
• Low in calories
• Recommended brand: Califia Farms

Cashew Milk

• Our favorite uses: cooking, baking desserts, and making cream
• Fortified varieties are a great source of calcium.
• Recommended brand: Elmhurst 1925

Coconut Milk

• Our favorite uses: baking sweets, putting in smoothies and hot drinks like coffee, and pouring on cereal
• Fortified varieties are a great source of vitamins C and E and many B vitamins.
• Recommended brand: Rebel Kitchen

Flax Milk

• Our favorite use: blending in smoothies
• Fortified varieties are a great source of vitamins A, B₁₂, and D.
• Low in calories
• Recommended brand: Good Karma

Hazelnut Milk

• Our favorite uses: baking and putting in coffee and other hot drinks
• Fortified varieties are a great source of calcium, folate, and vitamins B₁₂, D, and E.
• Recommended brand: Pacific Foods

Hemp Milk

• Our favorite uses: drinking, pouring on cereal, and putting in tea, smoothies, and pancakes
• Fortified varieties are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
• Recommended brands: Living Harvest Tempt and Pacific Foods

Macadamia Milk

• Our favorite use: stirring in coffee, tea, or other hot beverages
• Fortified varieties are a good source of calcium and vitamin D.
• Low in calories
• Recommended brands: Milkadamia and Suncoast Gold

Oat Milk

• Our favorite use: drinking and cooking
• Fortified varieties are a great source of calcium and iron as well as vitamins A and E.
• Low in fat
• Recommended brands: Oatly, Elmhurst 1925, Califia Farms, and Trader Joe’s

Pea Milk

• Our favorite uses: drinking, baking, and pouring on cereal
• Fortified varieties are a great source of vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D, and calcium, and pea milk is packed with protein.
• Recommended brand: Ripple

Rice Milk

• Our favorite uses: baking and putting on cereal and in smoothies
• One of the least allergenic options
• Low in fat
• Recommended brand: Rice Dream

Soy Milk

• Our favorite uses: drinking, cooking, and baking
• A complete protein
• Fortified varieties are a great source of calcium and vitamins B₁₂ and D.
• Recommended brand: Eden Foods

So now you know the 11 most popular, delicious plant milks, but countless plants are capable of being turned into beverages! From barley, millet, and rye to pumpkin and wheat, it seems like just about anything grown from the earth can be turned into vegan milk.