Definition of Oat Milk?
Is Oat Milk Bad for You – Oat milk is made by blending oats and water and then strain the mixture to remove any solids. Some commercial brands include sugar and other flavors in addition to fortifying the liquid with essential nutrients like vitamin D and calcium. Other brands avoid fortification in favor of just blended oats and water. Both practices can significantly change the nutrition profile of the milk.
Is Oat Milk Bad for You or Healthier Than Regular Milk?
Oat milk can be portion of a healthy diet, but nutrient limitations should consider. “milk, while a great-tasting drink, is not a substitute for cow’s milk, which is a common misconception,” says Saari. Oat milk is significantly lower in protein than cow’s milk and is also lacking in fat, making it a poor choice in some instances, such as for small children or those turning to cow’s milk for these nutrients.
The calcium content can be increased for calcium supplementation by adding the calcium fortifier calcium carbonate/calcium phosphate to oat milk. Moreover, oat milk is richer in unsaturated full of fat acids and contains a variety of bioactive components as well as dietary fiber, which prevent disease. Plant-based milk was first produced to solve nutritional problems for lactose-intolerant people then championed by vegetarians. It is now prized by environmental advocates who argue that it requires far less energy to produce than traditional milk. For those who are not suitable for milk, such as lactose-intolerant people and people with milk protein allergies, when we choose the plant-based milk we need, opting for oat base milk analogs that have been fortified with nutrients is a better option and to ingest enough nutrients from other diets.
Oat Milk Nutrition Facts
One 8-ounce serving (1 cup) of The Original Oatly Oatmilk provides:1
- Calories: 120
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Dietary fiber: 2 g
- Total sugar: 7 g
- Added sugar: 7 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Total fat: 5 g
- Saturated fat: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Vitamin B12: 1.2 mcg
- Riboflavin: 0.6 mg
- Calcium: 350 mg
The Bottom Line
Oat milk is an allergy-friendly alternative to cow’s milk that is easy to add to your favorite recipes or drinks. Its creamy consistency makes it perfect for coffee beverages and as a substitute for dairy while cooking. Like most nondairy milks, some varieties of oat milk are high in added sugar. Even if those are limited, it’s still important to remember that oat milk is not a significant source of protein. Despite these nutritional limitations, oat milk can be part of a healthy, balanced diet.