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Almond milk may sound like a new invention, but it has actually been around since the Middle Ages. Before there were refrigerators, there were people who wanted to drink milk, but did not have a means of storage. Milk was made into cheese and butter to be preserved, so almond milk was used as a substitute for milk in the liquid form. Almond milk has many advantages over cow's milk and only a few disadvantages.
Vitamins and Minerals
Cow's milk is fortified with vitamins to help make it healthier to drink. Since calcium is a natural ingredient of cow's milk, it was a sensible choice to add Vitamins A and D to it, because these vitamins improve calcium absorption. Cow's milk also has some Vitamins B-12 and B-2, as well as a small amount of zinc. However, cow's milk is not rich in other vitamins and minerals.
Almond milk, on the other hand, is a nutritional gold mine when it comes to vitamins and minerals. It is very high in Vitamin E, for example. It is also high in minerals such as potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, and yes, even calcium.
Protein
Milk has 8 grams of protein to a serving, making it a high protein food. This is very helpful in repairing muscles and building bones. Protein content is one of the main health advantages of cow's milk over almond milk. Almond milk is fairly low in protein, at only 1 gram per serving.
Allergies
Many people have to deal with food allergies every day, and these often have a great affect on how they use diet and nutrition to achieve the best health. People who have tree nut allergies would want to avoid almond milk. On the other hand, almond milk is actually good for people who have gluten or casein allergies, or are lactose intolerant.
Fats, Cholesterol and Calories
Almond milk wins hands down over cow's milk in the subjects of fats, cholesterol and calories. Almond milk is completely fat free, but, depending on the variety you choose, you could be getting up to 5 grams of saturated fat per serving with cow's milk. The figures for cholesterol are no better. Almond milk is naturally cholesterol-free, but whole milk has 33mg of cholesterol, and even skim milk has 4mg of cholesterol. As for calories, there are only 40 calories in an 8-ounce serving of almond milk. Whole cow's milk adds up to 150 calories for the same sized serving, 2% milk is 120 calories, and skim milk comes in at 80 calories - double the calories of almond milk.
Almond milk is really a better choice than cow's milk in many ways. It can help dieters lose weight, it can help diabetics keep better control of their blood glucose, and it can increase the vitamin and mineral content in a standard diet. Cow's milk does have the advantage of protein, but you can get that nutrient from other sources in your diet. As long as you do not have allergies to tree nuts, almond milk is a great choice to make.
Vitamins and Minerals
Cow's milk is fortified with vitamins to help make it healthier to drink. Since calcium is a natural ingredient of cow's milk, it was a sensible choice to add Vitamins A and D to it, because these vitamins improve calcium absorption. Cow's milk also has some Vitamins B-12 and B-2, as well as a small amount of zinc. However, cow's milk is not rich in other vitamins and minerals.
Almond milk, on the other hand, is a nutritional gold mine when it comes to vitamins and minerals. It is very high in Vitamin E, for example. It is also high in minerals such as potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, and yes, even calcium.
Protein
Milk has 8 grams of protein to a serving, making it a high protein food. This is very helpful in repairing muscles and building bones. Protein content is one of the main health advantages of cow's milk over almond milk. Almond milk is fairly low in protein, at only 1 gram per serving.
Allergies
Many people have to deal with food allergies every day, and these often have a great affect on how they use diet and nutrition to achieve the best health. People who have tree nut allergies would want to avoid almond milk. On the other hand, almond milk is actually good for people who have gluten or casein allergies, or are lactose intolerant.
Fats, Cholesterol and Calories
Almond milk wins hands down over cow's milk in the subjects of fats, cholesterol and calories. Almond milk is completely fat free, but, depending on the variety you choose, you could be getting up to 5 grams of saturated fat per serving with cow's milk. The figures for cholesterol are no better. Almond milk is naturally cholesterol-free, but whole milk has 33mg of cholesterol, and even skim milk has 4mg of cholesterol. As for calories, there are only 40 calories in an 8-ounce serving of almond milk. Whole cow's milk adds up to 150 calories for the same sized serving, 2% milk is 120 calories, and skim milk comes in at 80 calories - double the calories of almond milk.
Almond milk is really a better choice than cow's milk in many ways. It can help dieters lose weight, it can help diabetics keep better control of their blood glucose, and it can increase the vitamin and mineral content in a standard diet. Cow's milk does have the advantage of protein, but you can get that nutrient from other sources in your diet. As long as you do not have allergies to tree nuts, almond milk is a great choice to make.
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