These days, it seems as if your choice of nondairy milk is wider than ever.
Heres what you better know.
What Is Soy Milk?
Soy milk is a plant-based nondairy beverage thats a popular alternative to cows milk.
Always check the nutrient facts label on your brand of choice, as the nutrition facts can vary widely.
Soy Milk vs. (Its included in the dairy category in theUSDAs 20202025 Dietary Guidelines for Americansfor this reason!)
I call the soybean the incredible, edible bean.
Rice, oat, and coconut milks are other popular choices.
Here are some of the possible perks of adding this soy milk to your grocery list.
According toother research, soy isoflavones may reduce the bone loss that contributes to osteoporosis.
Is It Safe to Drink Soy Milk, or Can It Cause Breast Cancer?
How Much Soy Milk per Day Is Safe to Drink?
Is There Anyone Who Should Avoid Soy Milk?
If you are allergic to soy, avoid soy milk.
Another consideration is thyroid disease.
Otherwise, it is an excellent food for everyone else, says Hever.
If youre pregnant, you’re free to consume soy.
Likewise, if you have had breast cancer, its okay to consume a moderate amount of soy.
How to Choose a Healthy Soy Milk
There are a few considerations when choosing a soy milk.
One is to look for a product that is unsweetened, says Hever.
If you want a little flavor, opt for unsweetened vanilla.
Hever recommends choosing organic if its in your budget.
This ensures the nutrients resemble cows milk the most, says Schmidt.
Summary
Soy milk is a healthy, plant-based milk that can fit into just about any diet.
To reap the most nutritional benefits, opt for an unsweetened soy milk thats fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Certain brands add vitamins and minerals, like calcium, to fortify the beverage.
It is a vegan food.
If you DIY soy milk at home, your soy milk wont contain calcium.
But most packaged products are fortified with calcium.
Kelly Kennedy is a licensed dietitian-nutritionist with over 14 years of experience in digital media.
She was previously an assistant editor atPreventionwhere she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
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