Whether you are vegan or extremely lactose intolerant like myself, milk alternatives are a staple on your grocery shopping list.
Once upon a time, soy milk was the only other option aside from low-fat or lactose-free milk. But as we learn more about the potentially harmful effects large doses of soy can have on the body, alternatives to the alternative keep popping up. There are numerous options to choose from now, including almond milk, coconut milk, and hemp milk. Cashew milk is even an option in many health food stores.
The latest option to add to that list? Oat milk.
Oat, the New Milk
Oat milk is milk that is derived from oats. It’s essentially the same process as with many other non-dairy kinds of milk, in which oats are mixed with water and thickened to resemble a milky texture.
Because oat milk does not come from a nut, it is a long-awaited alternative for those with nut allergies who don’t do cow milk.
Benefits of Oat Milk
While it seems like oat milk is just the next gimmicky health craze, it actually has numerous benefits that have already been proven. For instance, scientific studies show that oat milk contains anti-cancerous properties, helps curtail inflammation, and can even reduce cholesterol levels.
Like most milk alternatives, oat milk can be quite expensive. The good news it is easy to make right at home. In addition to being a cheaper alternative to buying pre-made oat milk, going the homemade route also means you can sweeten each batch to your liking.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
4 cups of water
1 whole pitted date
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Directions
Soak oats in water for 15-20 minutes to soften. Rinse well. Blend oats, water (less for a creamier texture), date and vanilla extract. Strain with cheesecloth and drain into an airtight glass container of your choice.
Nutritional value
1 cup of oat milk contains 130 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 110 grams of sodium, 19 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber, and 24 grams of carbohydrates.
Oats or Others
The nutritional facts make clear that oat milk is the superfood of the milk alternative industry. Given its nutritional facts, health benefits, and sweet flavor, it is clear that oat milk is here to stay. So next time your barista asks, “Almond or Oat?” in your already overpriced latte, take a chance and give the latter a try.
