Knowledge

These days it seems as if the nondairy milk section is getting pretty crowded. The original plant-based alternative, soy milk, is still going strong, but you may be wondering how it stacks up against other popular picks, like almond, and more trendy sips, like oat, and whether or not it’s actually safe for both women and men. Here’s what you need to know to make the right choice for your diet.

What Is Soy Milk Exactly? Defining the Popular Drink

Soy milk is a plant-based nondairy beverage, often consumed as an alternative to milk. It’s made from soybeans, and many brands fortify their soy milk with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D and calcium. “Soy milk offers culinary diversity, creamy texture, and a healthful nutritional profile, including essential omega-3 fatty acids [if fortified] and flavonoids that exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory.

Why Might You Drink Soy Milk Instead of Dairy Milk?

There are so many reasons why you might turn to soy milk in your coffee, smoothie, or in your cereal. For one, you might not like the taste of cow’s milk, and you may also prefer soy milk over other nondairy alternatives. You may also be trying to avoid dairy for a variety of reasons, whether it’s for health or weight loss.

Some people are also lactose intolerant, which means that they have trouble digesting a sugar called lactose, which is the carbohydrate found in cow’s milk, says Barbara Schmidt, RDN, a nutrition lifestyle program specialist at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut. That can lead to a variety of uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects; in this case, drinking a plant milk is a wise choice.

By Jessica Migala

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/pros-cons-soy-milk/#nutrition