This is a question that has been nagging me since becoming vegan and often comes up in conversation with an answer never really decided upon. There is a lot of bad press about soy but trying to enjoy an almond or coconut milk coffee can be challenging to say the least. So I've decided to do some good ol' investigating to make up my mind - which milk and why.
Soy Milk
There are a few concerns that arise time and again with soy and I'm going to try to address a couple of these:
- Genetically modified soy (GMO - genetically modified organism):
- What is GMO? GMO means that the original organism, i.e. a soy bean, can be genetically modified to include a gene that makes it more "pest resistant", disease resistant, or reduce the spoilage from the crop.
- Although we have been selecting plants and animals for desired traits since the dawn of agriculture, nowadays, technology has taken this manipulation to new heights. Now we can splice genes from one species and put it into the DNA of another species...just like mother nature intended. Some of this manipulation has been used to develop new medical treatments for genetic diseases and to increase food production for our growing population. See this article for more information.
- Naturally this manipulation of nature has created some controversy. Many experts state the GMOs are safe, however, there are others that argue the production and consumption of GMOs is unethical and untested - in short scientists aren't sure what the consequences will be from consuming GMO food. I think my mind was made up when I read that one of Monsanto's GMO crops is named Roundup Ready 2 Yield(R). This innocent little soybean seed is resistant to Roundup(R) (one of Monsanto's herbicides) which means farmers can spray Roundup(R) all over the crop and not affect the yield of the soy. I think I'll have my soy coffee Roundup(R) free thanks!
- Cancer concerns:
- So if you find a GMO free soy milk, is it still safe to drink? Most people are aware of the concerns surrounding the phytoestrogens contained in soy and that these hormone-like molecules may contribute to the growth of estrogen-dependent cancers. A recent review article in the Journal of Alternative Therapies came up with the following conclusion:
- "While the long-term health effects specific to the relatively new forms of popular, processed soy products are unclear and in need of further study, consumption of modest amounts of minimally processed and fermented soy products, such as tempeh, natto, miso, and soy sauce, which have been a component of traditional Asian diets for centuries, appear to be the safest form of soy consumption and may offer some protection against certain forms of cancer, coronary heart disease, and relief from menopausal symptoms."
- For me, this will quell that nagging voice whenever I have the occasional cup of non-GMO soy milk coffee.
Coconut Milk
There are plenty of different coconut milks on the market, many that contain a lot more than just coconut milk and water! It has taken me close to a year to become accustomed to the taste of a coconut milk cappuccino and now, I have to admit, it is my favourite milk for my coffee. Make sure you check your brands, even if they are organic - reading the list of ingredients shouldn't require a science degree! One of the key take home messages from the nutrition course I completed last year, was make sure the ingredients can be pronounced and that there are no more than 5, otherwise, leave it on the shelf!
Nut Milk
I discovered this week a nut milk that I actually love with my coffee - macadamia milk! I have tried almond milk many times, and often only made it half way through the coffee before giving up. Macadamia milk is a delicious surprise! It gives the coffee a beautiful nutty flavour and it doesn't separate like almond milks can. Just like the coconut milk, choose organic and make sure the ingredients in the nut milk can be pronounced and are not much more than water, nuts, a sweetener and gum thickeners. Better yet, make your own! Check out the different non-dairy milk recipes on Quirky Cooking.
So there you have it folks, my take on dairy free milks. Let me know what you think, what you have discovered, and which milk you love the most and why.
