Dairy Alternatives may open great business investment prospects in diverse related industries to the dairy market. Here’s why!
Milk has been an integral part of our diet, and people of all ages consume it regularly. It is understandable, as it provides numerous nutrients like protein, fats, vitamins like vitamin D, A, and B12, and minerals like calcium.
But, in the past few years, people have shifted toward non-dairy alternatives. Due to this changing scenario, the dairy market is changing significantly.
From a business standpoint, switching from cow milk products to other alternatives is an amazing investment opportunity. The milk-related business industry is always growing and in high demand. Adopting dairy alternatives opens new potential business markets and growth opportunities.
Dairy alternative products replace milk-based products, mimicking cow milk’s nutritional value. Cow’s milk is not suitable for everyone, and below are the various reasons why people might be looking for milk alternatives.
Dairy Alternatives: 3 Reasons People Switch Off
1. Lactose Intolerance
It is a condition where a person is partially or unable to digest the lactose (sugar) in cow milk. Consuming milk-based products may lead to stomachache, bloating, or diarrhea. It happens when there is a deficiency of lactase, an enzyme that helps digest lactose.
2. Milk Allergy
It is an immune reaction caused by the proteins present in animal milk, driven mainly by the casein protein.
The response can result in symptoms like rashes, severe anaphylaxis, wheezing, vomiting, and diarrheas’. 2-6% of children in their first year of age are affected by cow’s milk protein allergy.
3. Dietary Restriction
People are often restricted or restrict themselves from eating certain foods. The reasons may be ethical or health-related.
You might have heard about the rising trend of vegan diets; they exclude all animal-related products, including milk.
Some people avoid drinking milk due to suspicions over the potential presence of pesticides, antibiotics, contaminants, and hormones.
Best Options Available in the Market
Now, let us list the popular milk alternative options, and fret not, there are multiple non-dairy options available in the dairy alternatives market.
1. Almond Milk
Almond milk is one of the most flavored and known dairy-free milk alternatives available. You can use it for cooking or add it to your morning coffee. It is rich in vitamin E and lowers fats compared to cow’s milk. Though, it contains meager amounts of protein and fiber.
However, those with a nuts allergy should stay away from it.
2. Soy Milk
Soy milk is one of the most recommended plant-based dairy alternatives often recommended by doctors to people who are intolerant or are looking to reduce their calorie intake. It is a plant-based milk alternative.
It can be made from soybeans or protein isolates and often contains thickeners and vegetable oils to enhance its consistency.
Some people avoid it due to controversies about its effects on the body. It is mainly due to the large amounts of flavone present in soy. It can affect our body’s estrogen receptors and affect our hormone balance.
It is one of the best alternatives for cow’s milk as a protein source. Though, people with FODMAP intolerance should avoid it.FODMAPs are small-chain carbohydrates. These can cause digestive problems such as bloating and gas.
3. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is an excellent option in the dairy alternatives market. Though the pulp is separated from the milk, instantly reducing the milk’s vitamin, protein, and mineral contents.
Cashew milk is not fortified, and the lack of crucial nutrients like calcium is the only setback factor. Still, I recommend you try it, as the creamy and sweet flavor makes it a great additive to coffees and desserts.
4. Oat Milk
Oat milk has multiple benefits and is one of the best, if not the best, alternatives to cow’s milk. It has a high level of carbohydrates and a good amount of protein, though less than milk. The beta-glucan in oat milk helps reduce cholesterol levels by binding to it and reducing cholesterol absorption.
On top of that, oat milk is easy to make and cheap to buy from a store. It is a jack of all trades, helping you to maintain a healthy diet.
5. Rice Milk
Rice milk is the best dairy alternative option because it is the least allergic of all the other non-dairy alternatives (soy or nuts).
But rice milk is mild and naturally sweet in flavor. It has a high glycemic index and is absorbed faster in the gut, raising blood sugar levels. It makes it not so suitable for people with diabetes. It has high carbohydrate levels and the highest level of carbohydrates among all the other dairy alternatives.
Some of the other best dairy alternatives include:
- Hemp Milk
- Flax Milk
- Quinoa Milk
Conclusion:
Milk and Dairy free milk alternatives are good sources of essential nutrients and vitamins; They can form part of a healthy, balanced diet. If you can’t eat dairy products, you may need enough calcium.
Some people have to avoid dairy products and cows’ milk because their bodies cannot digest lactose (lactose intolerance) or they are allergic to cows’ milk or buffalo milk.
Several lactose-free dairy alternatives are available in the market that is suitable for people with lactose intolerance. This might inspire old or new milk-related businesses to invest more in cow milk substitutes.
These products contain the same vitamins and minerals as standard dairy products but also have an added enzyme called lactase, which helps digest lactose, so the products do not trigger any symptoms.
