More and more consumers are snubbing traditional cow’s milk for reasons ranging from health issues to alternative diets to concerns over hormones.
Conversely, the popularity of non-dairy beverages like almond and coconut milk is skyrocketing, with the market for these beverages projecting a 15.75 percent CAGR from 2013-2018.
According to the USDA, the per capita consumption of dairy products in the US was 261 pounds in 1975. By 2012, per capita consumption had fallen to 195 pounds, which equates to a 25.3 percent decline.
2011 saw total milk sales in the US hit its lowest point since 1984. On average, Americans are consuming 0.35 fewer cups of milk per day than they were in the 70s, which amounts to some pretty big losses for the dairy industry.
Aside from health concerns, part of the reason for this decline is the sheer variety of choice available to the average consumer. Vendors in the dairy alternative market have expanded their product lines to include sweetened, unsweetened, organic, flavored, and fat-free options.
Dairy Alternatives: So Much More Than Soy
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by choice, never fear! TechNavio has taken a peek at some of the most popular dairy alternatives and prepared a quick and dirty comparison for consumers trying to figure out which milk substitute is best for them.
Soy Milk
Easily the most well-known dairy alternative, soy milk is often lauded as the best non-dairy beverage because of its high protein content, which is roughly the same as cow’s milk. It is also high in potassium and has a thick, creamy texture.
However, soy is one of the most genetically modifies crops, so those looking to avoid GMOs might also want to avoid soy milk.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is naturally higher in heart-healthy lauric acid, a healthy fat that is known to improve good cholesterol. Commercial brands of coconut milk are usually fortified with the same vitamins and minerals as regular milk, but this dairy alternative tends to be low in protein.
Rice Beverages
The main benefit of rice milk is that it’s probably the most allergy friendly of the bunch, and a good option for those with sensitivities to soy or nuts. It’s also free of saturated fat and cholesterol, but (are we seeing a pattern yet?) it is extremely low in protein.
Almond Milk
Almond milk is the fastest growing segment in the Global Dairy Alternatives Market. In the US, 62 percent of adults have become regular consumers of almond milk. The sales of Silk Pure Almond, increased over 500 percent in 2010 and 69 percent in 2011.
This popularity can be chalked up to the fact that almond milk contains fewer calories than other non-dairy milks, no saturated fat or cholesterol, and most commercial brands are fortified with all the helpful vitamins like A, D, B12, and calcium that are normally found in cow’s milk.
But before you go lauding almond milk as the nectar of the gods, there are still a few things to note: While almonds themselves are very high in vitamin E, don’t expect to get a good dose of this cell protecting vitamin from almond milk. One cup provides about 1 to 1.5 milligrams, only 10 percent of your daily requirement. And (surprise, surprise) it’s also pretty low in protein compared with regular milk.
One big thing to watch out for, if you’re considering any dairy alternative, is added sugar. Most soy, coconut, rice and almond beverages come in a variety of flavours, including sweetened and unsweetened varieties. Opt for unsweetened versions to avoid up to 10g of sugar and nearly double the calories per serving of the sweetened version.
