Milk Alternatives

[Crescendo251]

Hey everyone,

I am someone who is highly sensitive to cow's milk, and so whenever I cook I normally just completely avoid any recipes that use milk. However, recently I found a recipe that I really want to try that requires milk, so I've been looking for some milk alternatives. Before I cook the recipe I just wanted to come on here to ask you guys and see if there's anybody that has more experience when it comes to using milk alternatives when cooking, and get some useful advice. The most common alternatives to cow's milk that I've seen in supermarkets are almond milk, soya milk, oat milk, and coconut milk. Have any of you guys had any bad experiences with any of these options? Is there a particular one that you guys would recommend?

[JumpJiving]

We use all of those other than oat milk. They all have their uses in different recipes. It really depends on the recipe which we use. We also tweak recipes and use olive oil and/or margarine sometimes in place of milk

[JessFM]

Not a milk substitute but try putting a table spoon of natural kefir in your yogurt to help gut health. Greek yog is what my partner uses as other yogurts have all bad sugars in and it does not support gut health

[Maltofer25 in reply to JessFM]

Yes, this! I taught my lactose intolerant friend how to make her own milk kefir. She was overjoyed because she could finally drink cow’s milk again without running to the toilet within minutes of consuming cheese or milk.

[JumpJiving in reply to Maltofer25]

Maltofer25 Doesn’t milk kefir contain lactose? I drink MoMo kombucha and had been planning to try water kefir as I cannot have lactose, but milk kefir would give me more options if it is lactose-free

[Maltofer25 in reply to JumpJiving]

The microbes in milk kefir are known to break down lactose, so it is ok even if you consume lactose, but don’t take the risk if you are deathly allergic to milk. I have seen in supermarkets coconut alternatives for lactose free. Kombucha helps as well, but for me milk kefir was the game changer. Water kefir is super yummy but sometimes caused bloating for me.

[JumpJiving in reply to Maltofer25]

I hadn’t heard about a coconut water kefir. I’ll have a search for that. Thanks for the info.

I found that my insides took about 5 days to get used to kombucha, but have been great since.

[Maltofer25 in reply to JumpJiving]

Not coconut water, but the creamy kind made from coconut milk. Just like how nowadays you can find lactose free creamy coconut yogurt. Yes, same as kombucha, I felt sick at the start when the kefir detoxed my guts for two days, but I was surprised how good I felt after. For the first time in along time I could lie on my stomach again. That’s why with ferments, we need to start by consuming small amount, because the initial detox reaction can be nasty for people with bad guts.

[JessFM in reply to Maltofer25]

I was just about to say about the amount of kefir, that it needs to start off with a small amount ad build the amount up to prevent stomach upset.

[Shepherd777]

Rice milk would be the safest and almond milk for flavor...depending of course on the other ingredients.

[Susiiscute]

I haven’t used cows milk for many years. I’m boarderline vegan. Soy milk is the nearest one for cooking, it’s very high in protein and has a good creamy feel. That’s a good start, but I also use almond and oat milk, I like all of those.

[Crescendo251 in reply to Susiiscute]

Thank you for the reply. I have been a bit confused about soya milk recently, because soya milk is made from soya beans and I've read that soya beans are considered high in FODMAPs, but at the same time plenty of people with IBS seem to be able to tolerate it. Do you know if it's one of those things that you can only drink in limited amounts?

[linedance]

I use Arla lactose-free milk as it's often the lactose in milk that is a problem. This works for me.

[Snowcat18]

Hi. I have to have a dairy free diet and I’ve tried the alternatives - my favourite by far is cashew milk. It’s the nearest taste to cow’s milk that I’ve found and I use it successfully in recipes in place of milk - no-one else can tell the difference! In the UK it’s made by a company called Plenish and it’s in the long life section.

[Moholover]

I’ve used unsweetened soya milk for decades even before you could buy it in shops. I use it in all cooking and it works well, just like cows milk. It seems to have a creamier texture than the other alternatives and makes great porridge. Good luck.

[Crescendo251 in reply to Moholover]

Thank you for the reply. Soya milk has caused me a bit of confusion recently, because soya milk is made from soya beans and I've read that soya beans are considered high in FODMAPs, but at the same time plenty of people with IBS seem to be able to tolerate it. Do you ever find that you have to limit the amount that you drink in one day?

[Moholover in reply to Crescendo251]

I don’t watch how much I use per day. When I have porridge (twice a week) I use 100% soya. I use it in all tea and coffees and any baking.

I used to worry about using it so changed for almond and rice alternatives but soon came back to soya as I find it has the nicest consistency. It curdles in some coffee blends but I found it doesnt in Gold Blend. X

[bungi1961]

Hello Crescendo 251

Do you live in the UK? If so Morrison's do a very good Lacto-Free range of milks as that is what I have used quite well for 18 months/2 years give that a try and see what works 4 you yes they are a bit dearer than normal milk but needs must I wish you well take care

bungi1961

[Crescendo251 in reply to bungi1961]

Yes I live in the UK, but unfortunately there are no Morrison's stores in the town I live in.

[Luisa22 in reply to Crescendo251]

Do you have a Tesco's? I just saw that there's a range of lactose free milk there

tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/s...

[Needtofeelbetter2024]

I use Arla milk as am lactose intolerant. Haven't had any problems - either using with cereals or in recipes