The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Work with Me
    • Speaking
    • Giveaways
    • Social Media Consulting
    • Sponsored and Guest Posts
  • Gift Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • About Me
    • Media
    • Terms of Use

Here’s Why Consumers Choose Non-Dairy Milks (And Why They Might Want to Look Deeper)

June 1, 2018

Non-dairy milks have certainly become trendy. The sector has grown by 61% since 2012 alone, and new options like almond and oat milk are more widely available. The plant-based alternative have become a staple in the dairy section of the grocery store, with the price of non-dairy milks quite competitive with dairy milk.

So, why are the plant-based milk options so popular and why are people making the switch?

According to a survey taken by Food Navigator, consumers decided to purchase non-dairy milks for flavor (48%), price (37%), source of ingredients (33%), and being all-natural (30%). Over a third (36%) of consumers purchased the milk alternatives for perceived health benefits. While it makes sense for consumers to choose non-dairy products for flavor and price, what about the other options?

Turns out, milk is one of the most nutrient dense foods available! A glass of cow’s milk is loaded with protein, calcium, and potassium – all things we as human beings need in our diet. In fact, a glass of milk averages 8 grams of protein, which is more than a hard boiled egg! The only sugars in milk come from lactose, which is naturally occurring. Milk also comes in varying levels of fat content so consumers can customize their drink to fit their specific dietary needs.

To the contrary, many of the plant-based milk alternatives have varying amounts of nutrients, and might even have lots of added sugar. Soy milk generally has 6 grams of added sugars to help mask the soybean taste. Cashew milk can come with half a teaspoon of cane sugar per serving. Coconut and almond milks barely have any natural protein per serving, unless it is added later during processing. These alternatives can have quite a mixed bag, so checking the label is crucial, especially if you are trying to replace dairy milk entirely.

For those worried about the source of ingredients, dairy milk is generally quite local to the area. With this tool, consumers can find out exactly which dairy produced the milk in their neighborhood store. Because 98% of farms in the United States are family farms, consumers can also be confident that the milk probably came from cows cared for by a local family farm. Once off the farm, milk normally goes through some testing and pasteurization, homogenization, separation and further processing for safety and quality control. Otherwise, it is a very natural product!

If consumers switched to non-dairy alternatives because they are lactose-intolerant, prefer the taste, or price, then the move makes sense. However, for consumers that are just looking for a drink that is “healthier,” milk might be the better option. While none of the alternatives are necessarily unhealthy, they could be lacking in key areas. Again, reading the label and understanding what exactly comes with your plant-based milk is important.

For more information, check out this side-by-side comparison of the different types of “milk” by registered dietitian Samantha Cassetty.  The team at Dirt to Dinner have also put together an excellent resource on this topic.

signature

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Share this:
«
»

Filed Under: Animal Agriculture Tagged With: animal agriculture, dairy, milk

Comments

  1. Philip J McArdle says

    June 1, 2018 at 9:41 am

    Thank you!!!

  2. Kirk Price says

    June 3, 2018 at 10:36 am

    I love milk, I have used the alternatives at times but I come back every time. There’s just no taste or mouth feel like real cow’s milk!

  3. Ric DeVan says

    June 5, 2018 at 2:06 am

    There are many reasons why milk and other foods containing fat should not be eliminated from the diet. Maladies such as autism, diabetes, cardio-vascular problems, and high cholesterol are just a few of the problems humans are suffering from lack of sufficient fat.
    Feeding autistic children foods with fat have been proven to help them improve.

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe via Email

Archives

Latest on Twitter

4 hours ago
Farmers Daughter's Twitter avatar
Farmers Daughter
@farmdaughterusa

40 Million American Jobs t.co/2VZm9fPWFt

  • Reply
  • Retweet 0
  • Like 0
1 day ago
Farmers Daughter's Twitter avatar
Farmers Daughter
@farmdaughterusa

Bee Careful: Walmart is Telling Farmers How to Farm t.co/SneuwrHrG2

  • Reply
  • Retweet 5
  • Like 9
April 12, 2021
Farmers Daughter's Twitter avatar
Farmers Daughter
@farmdaughterusa

Busting Myths on Organic Seeds t.co/Wr314ZZV5X

  • Reply
  • Retweet 1
  • Like 2

Latest on Facebook

The Farmer's Daughter

4 hours ago

The Farmer's Daughter

The recent Feeding the Economy report reveals that the US food and agriculture sectors are economic powerhouses! They represent 13 percent of all US jobs. These sectors contributed more than $2 trillion in wages in 2020. And nearly $797 billion in taxes. Food and agriculture contribute $7 trillion to the nation's economy. The report was commissioned by 33 food and ag groups. The numbers are staggering and, quite frankly, hard to conceptualize. But I share them for that very reason. Food and agriculture are huge. And these issues matter. It's worth taking the time to talk about them, (respectfully) debate them, and keep people engaged.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

1 day ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Oh man. Here we go. Walmart is lecturing farmers about how to farm. Thanks, but we got this.

... See MoreSee Less

Bee Careful: Walmart is Telling Farmers How to Farm - The Farmer's Daughter USA

thefarmersdaughterusa.com

Walmart announced new requirements for its fresh produce suppliers to protect pollinators. Here's why I'm annoyed by it.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

4 days ago

The Farmer's Daughter

This week I'm continuing my review of organic-trade agreements. We're looking at the trade relationship between the US and Canada, and the big ways it differs from how we do business with Mexico. My latest for AGDAILY

... See MoreSee Less

Organic trade 101: The U.S.-Canada agreement | AGDAILY

www.agdaily.com

Aside from some differences between U.S. and Canada organic regulations, products accepted for certification in one country are accepted in the other.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

1 week ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Where are my gardeners? It seems like every year the garden space gets more and more entrenched in silly gimmicks like this. And I'm told social-media garden groups are the worst. So let's clear up some myths.🌱 Whether a seed is labeled organic or not depends on the parent plant. If the parent plant was only treated with organic pesticides (yes, those exist), the seeds can be labeled organic. If the parent plant is treated with conventional pesticides, it can't be labeled organic.🌱 It's worth mentioning that organic farmers don't always use "organic seed." If they can't find enough seed for their needs, they can use seeds from conventional parent plants and still label the plant and produce as organic.🌱 The seeds in these two packets are the same--same variety, same type of plant, same basil (literally the same picture too). You aren't getting anything extra for the organic seed, except the higher price tag.🌱 Using organic seeds doesn't result in better plants or more nutritious food. They also don't make the food you eat any safer or reduce exposure to chemicals.🌱 While we're talking about it, home gardeners usually don't have access to genetically modified varieties. So when you see the non-GMO label on a packet of seeds--especially ones of this size--that's a given. GMOs are generally only sold for commercial purposes in (very) large quantities. And some require the user to sign additional paperwork.#Seeds #GardenMythBusters

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

2 weeks ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Happy National Beer Day! 🍻Beer is agriculture! According to the National Beer Institute, barley is the most widely used grain in beer production. And farmers plant 3.5 million acres of barley each year to produce 190 million barrels of beer.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

Latest on Instagram

thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
The recent Feeding the Economy report reveals that The recent Feeding the Economy report reveals that the US food and agriculture sectors are economic powerhouses! They represent 13 percent of all US jobs. These sectors contributed more than $2 trillion in wages in 2020. And nearly $797 billion in taxes. Food and agriculture contribute $7 trillion to the nation's economy. 

The report was commissioned by 33 food and ag groups. The numbers are staggering and, quite frankly, hard to conceptualize. But I share them for that very reason. Food and agriculture are huge. And these issues matter. It's worth taking the time to talk about them, (respectfully) debate them, and keep people engaged.

#agriculture #sustainableag #sustainability #farms #economicpowerhouse
Where are my gardeners? It seems like every year t Where are my gardeners? It seems like every year the garden space gets more and more entrenched in silly gimmicks like this. And I'm told social-media garden groups are the worst. So let's clear up some myths.

🌱 Whether a seed is labeled organic or not depends on the parent plant. If the parent plant was only treated with organic pesticides (yes, those exist), the seeds can be labeled organic. If the parent plant is treated with conventional pesticides, it can't be labeled organic.

🌱 It's worth mentioning that organic farmers don't always use "organic seed." If they can't find enough seed for their needs, they can use seeds from conventional parent plants and still label the plant and produce as organic.

🌱 The seeds in these two packets are the same--same variety, same type of plant, same basil (literally the same picture too). You aren't getting anything extra for the organic seed, except the higher price tag.

🌱 Using organic seeds doesn't result in better plants or more nutritious food. They also don't make the food you eat any safer or reduce exposure to chemicals.

🌱 While we're talking about it, home gardeners usually don't have access to genetically modified varieties. So when you see the non-GMO label on a packet of seeds--especially ones of this size--that's a given. GMOs are generally only sold for commercial purposes in (very) large quantities. And some require the user to sign additional paperwork.

#Seeds #GardenMythBusters #organicseeds
These are SO pretty this year! Hopefully no hard f These are SO pretty this year! Hopefully no hard freezes so they last awhile!

#myview #mygarden #rhodedendron
Well played, Mother Nature. Well played. #snow #a Well played, Mother Nature. Well played.

#snow #aprilfools #springiscoming🌸
I finally had the opportunity to safely visit the I finally had the opportunity to safely visit the dentist since 2019 (first it was the pandemic, then it was chemo). The receptionist greeted me as I entered the building. She was giving me total hair envy with her shoulder-length wavy, blonde hair. After checking me in she handed me some documents to sign and said, “your hair is so cute!”

“Oh, you think? I’m growing it out after chemo and I don’t really like it.” Well, it’s true. She responded by telling me that she really did mean it, but she understood because she remembered losing hers. After some conversation, I learned she went through chemo about seven years ago. She’s been cancer free since then. Now she looks just like anyone else; there was nothing about her that made me think “chemo” or “sick” or “cancer.”

Seven. Years. Now that sounds good.

When I first found out I had to go through chemo, I didn’t want to be part of “the club.” You know, the chemo club. The women who were all encouragement and survivors and little ribbons and slogans. I’m not sure if I was just being naive or in denial. I hoped I could put my head down, get through it, and put it in the rear-view mirror. Quickly. I didn’t really want to hang out and join “the club.” I just wanted to get beyond it.

But now I have a different perspective. The lady at the dentist’s office wasn’t just a slogan or a cheerleader. She was a symbol of hope. Seven years. And she understood something that most other people don’t. She knows how it feels to lose your hair and your identity and to not see yourself in the mirror anymore. She remembered how exhausting this is, even a few months later when I’m getting back to normal. She just…got it.

I still want to put cancer and chemo behind me. Forever. But now I’ll accept my membership card. Hopefully one day I’ll be that symbol of hope and kindness for someone else.

Also, I'm just so not feeling the hair. Sigh.

#cancersucks #cancer #FarmersDaughterStrong #bebrave
I love this bunny. He adds so much character to th I love this bunny. He adds so much character to the entryway.

#homedecor #homesweethome #springiscoming🌸
Happy National Ag Day! Today we officially celebr Happy National Ag Day!

Today we officially celebrate American agriculture. This year's theme is "Food brings everyone to the table." Every meal starts on the farm!

Food is such a personal thing. Each of us makes daily decisions about what we put in our body to nourish and fuel us. And because we're all making those choices, everyone has an opinion about it.

But those opinions should never detract from some important truths. We live in a time of abundance! We have the most widely available, consistent, safe, and nutritious food supply ever experienced in human history. While there are still those who go hungry, most of us suffer the opposite problem of having *too much* food.

So on National Ag Day let's appreciate that! Let's appreciate the bounty that comes from American farms and lands on our dinner tables. 

#NationalAgDay #NationalAgDay2021
I'm told EWG plans on releasing its annual "dirty I'm told EWG plans on releasing its annual "dirty dozen" list today. If you don't know, EWG ranks produce that has the highest levels of pesticide residue and suggests consumer purchase organic versions. 

But EWG and its list are nothing more than a dirty lie. Here's why:

🍎 The Environmental Protection Agency considers how pesticides can harm people before those pesticides are allowed for commercial use. And we know how much a person can encounter before they'll see any biological effect. That level is called a tolerance.

🥕 Tolerances are set extremely conservatively. Why? Because we want it to be completely unrealistic for any person to encounter enough pesticide residue to matter.

🥑 In fact, it would be *impossible* for you to eat enough pesticide residue to see an impact. For example, a woman could eat 850 apples IN ONE DAY and still not encounter enough pesticide residue to make a difference. You can calculate your own risk here: https://www.safefruitsandveggies.com/calculate/

🍑 We also make sure everyone is following the rules. USDA does annual, random sampling to make sure that the food in the grocery store is well within the tolerances. Each year, again and again, USDA's conclusion is that there's nothing to worry about. Read about the latest results here: https://thefarmersdaughterusa.com/usda-another-year-with-no-concerning-levels-of-pesticide-residue/

🥦 If you're still concerned about pesticide residue, wash your produce for 20 seconds under running water. That will clean it right up! Quite frankly, you should probably do this anyway because you never know who touched your food along the supply chain!

🍇 The only thing you should be worried about when it comes to fruits and vegetables is whether you're eating enough of them! Most of us aren't! So stop paying attention to labels and start eating!
Dose 1 of 2. ✔ #covid19 #covid_19 #vaccine #ᴠ Dose 1 of 2. ✔

#covid19 #covid_19 #vaccine #ᴠᴀᴄᴄɪɴᴇssᴀᴠᴇʟɪᴠᴇs #vaccinate #covidvacccine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs