Plant-based or dairy? Which one’s for you?
It’s not always easy to figure out exactly what we should be eating for good health, especially with the plethora of diets out there that eliminate this or that food group or require strict adherence to eating certain foods at certain times. Let’s start by simplifying your milk habits. Should you go vegetarian, vegan or dairy? Here we tell you who should be drinking what and why.
Cow’s milk
If you’re not thinking of going vegetarian or vegan anytime soon, you’re at an advantage with this choice because cow’s milk is packed with calcium for strong teeth and bones. It provides almost 1/2 your daily needs for Vitamin D and is high in Vitamin B12, too, which contributes to maintaining a healthy nervous system and regulating digestion. This is especially important for growing kids, who need to build strong bones.
Almond milk
Almond milk is beneficial for young adults who’ve finished puberty and matured into their bodies. It’s a good source of Vitamins D and E and protein, which helps sustain muscle mass. It also has antioxidant properties that promote cell regeneration. Women wanting to get pregnant could opt for this plant-based milk because it has a high Vitamin B9 content, which works to prevent deformities in young fetuses. At the same time, they also need to supplement with a milk rich in Vitamin B12, known for stimulating the formation of nerve cells, and this is found in dairy products.
Sheep’s milk
This is the creamiest option of all and richer in calcium than cow’s milk, with about 237 milligrams for every 1/2 cup. It also beats out other animal milks in terms of protein and Vitamin C content. Older adults with high cholesterol could really benefit from the Vitamin C, which also lowers risk of heart disease and stroke.
Rice milk
This kind has the least advantages in terms of vitamins and minerals and doesn’t do much to cover your daily needs. It’s more useful for hydrating skin cells than providing beneficial nutrients to the body.
Goat’s milk
This kind has a similar calcium content to cow’s milk, with about 163 milligrams for every 1/2 cup. It also contains slight amounts of Vitamin B9 but not enough to make a substantial contribution to your daily needs. However, it could serve as a good substitute for young adults who are still developing and have difficulty digesting cow’s milk.
Soy milk
Soy milk is high in protein with about 7 grams for every 8-ounce glass, so it could be a decent plant-based alternative for vegetarians. However, despite soy products generally being high in Vitamin K, which helps calcium adhere to bones, soy milk has a low concentration of it. It also contains very little calcium, Vitamin D and Vitamin E. So if you have weak bones, go for almond milk.
MSN HELATH & FITNESS