The skinny on PLANT-BASED MILKS

Going plant-based is very on-trend, but what are the health benefits of dairy milk alternatives - and how do you make the switch? Lorraine Kearney chugs a lot of liquids

- Lorraine Kearney

What’s this move towards vegan all about? Some people are removing animal produce from their diets for humanitarian reasons, others for health, and still others to cut their carbon footprint.

In a totally unscientific straw poll, most people I asked are doing it for the environment. Of course, anecdote is not data.

But plant milks have a much lower carbon footprint, water footprint and land use than cow’s milk. Put your judgements on the backburner and give them a try.

Jessica Kotlowitz, The Green Dietician, says they are just as healthy. She lists some of the health benefits of choosing plant milk:

• More than 75% of the global population is lactose intolerant. For them, plant milk can prevent many of the unpleasant side effects of lactose consumption. Some people are even allergic to cow’s milk protein.

• Plant milks can be lower in calories and fat than cow’s milk, which can help weight management. Ah, but the calcium, I hear you say. Jessica points out that they can contain just as much calcium as cow’s milk, and it’s usually more absorbable.

And then there’s the downside to dairy – it has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, acne, eczema and more, Jessica says. ‘Simply switching your dairy milk to a plant milk can drastically lower your dairy consumption and help to protect you against these conditions.’