Which milk is the healthiest?

Cow's milk contains many nutrients that are relevant to human health. Unfortunately, many cows and their calves have to suffer for our well-being. For this reason, many people avoid cow's milk partially or completely. Instead, they use plant-based alternatives and then ask themselves: Which milk is the healthiest?

We want to help you find out with this article. First of all, however, it should be said that the question always depends on what your diet looks like overall. For example, if you eat a lot of nuts, seeds and pulses, you may not need an alternative to cover your daily calcium requirements.

We recommend that you seek nutritional advice to check whether you are getting enough nutrients, fiber and vitamins or whether the alternative should cover a specific need. It is also essential that you listen to your body. If you get diarrhea from vegan milk , for example, you should try a different variety.

Sometimes it can help to make the plant milk yourself . This requires a bit of effort, but you know that no unhealthy additives were used in the production process. You can also use organically grown products and adjust the amount to your personal needs.

In this article, we have compiled for you the reasons for avoiding cow's milk , what you can use plant milk for and what it is made from.

Separation shortly after birth can cause significant emotional stress for both the cow and the calf. Both animals may experience fear and grief.

In the wild, cow mothers would care for and raise their calves over a longer period of time. Separation prevents this natural development. In fact, milk from organic farms usually does not change this. Only a few farms that are members of the Demeter Association rely on mother-bound rearing.

Furthermore , milk production has significant environmental impacts . Water and land consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are concerns that often accompany intensive pasture management.

Health aspects also play a role, particularly with regard to lactose intolerance . Some people also suffer from stomach pain after drinking milk, but are not lactose intolerant . They cannot tolerate the product for other reasons and, for example, get constipated from milk .

This can lead to unpleasant abdominal pain and significantly affect the quality of life. Those affected may also feel tired or easily irritated.

The good news is that milk substitutes are now available in almost every supermarket - and even based on different foods. With the growing range, consumers now have many nutritious and delicious options that are considered a more environmentally and animal-friendly alternative to cow's milk .

Plant-based milk can be made from a variety of foods. The most popular types include :

• Oat milk : Oat milk has a mild, slightly sweet taste and a rather thin consistency. Sugar is often added to it during industrial production. It is also often enriched with calcium and vitamin B12 . Alternatively, you can make oat milk yourself and avoid all additives.
  
  
• Rice milk : This type is made from brown or white rice and water and also has a thin consistency, which is why thickeners are sometimes added to it. It contains very few nutrients, but is low in fat. If your baby is allergic to cow's milk , you should not use rice milk. Ask a midwife or pediatrician for advice on which alternative will provide your baby with sufficient nutrients.

• Soy milk : The taste of this variety takes some getting used to for some consumers. However, it provides many important proteins and unsaturated fatty acids.
  
  
• Almond milk : Almond milk contains few calories. At the same time, it also has the disadvantage of containing few nutrients. It is well suited for use in drinks such as coffee or tea.

The question of which milk is healthiest depends primarily on your eating habits. If you want to provide your body with as many nutrients as possible, you should choose soy milk . Almond milk , on the other hand, is better for losing weight.