A decade ago, when “Got Milk?” ads were all the rage, few women weren’t ordered to drink at least a glass of skim daily for bone health. But with so many people finding they have trouble digesting dairy products, it's good to know there are some sound alternatives--and there are many on the market, available at your local grocer.
Soymilk, oat milk, rice milk, and hemp milk (which is high in protein) are just a few to try. Another option you may have spotted is almond milk, which has a rich, sweet taste and isn’t a known trigger of digestive distress. Who knew that lactose free living could taste so good?
One of the downsides of organic nut milk is that it can be very expensive. When I tell clients of mine that they needn’t spend money on the storebought stuff—that they can easily make almond milk at home—they tend to regard me with wonder. It sounds so complex! In reality, making almond milk is a cinch. All you’ll need are almonds, water, a sweetener of choice, a blender and a cheesecloth. Few ingredients and minimal effort for a tasty payoff. Here’s my foolproof recipe for foolproof homemade almond milk:
Vanilla Almond Milk (yields 3 cups or so)
1 cup almonds, soaked 8-12 hours beforehand
4 cups water
6 pitted dates, 4 tbsp agave nectar, or stevia to taste
1 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)
Procedure:
1) Begin by soaking your nuts in some water, if you can. Eight hours is ideal, but an hour is fine if that’s what you’ve got!
2) Next, blend all ingredients on high till the mixture is very smooth.
3) When it’s well blended and uniform, strain the nut milk through a cheesecloth (you don’t have to do this, but it makes the milk more comparable to store-bought brands).
There are tons of ways to flavor nutmilk. My favorite varieties:
Chocolate nut milk: To the recipe for vanilla almond milk, add 2 tbsp raw cacao nibs or unsweetened cocoa powder
Cinnamon milk: To the recipe for vanilla almond milk, add 1 tsp cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg
Chai milk: To the recipe for vanilla almond milk, add 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Sugar-free vanilla milk: In place of the dates, add stevia to taste
All are delicious and hassle free. The next time you want to give your body an easy to digest and delicious alternative to dairy, I recommend getting into the simple habit of nut milk making. You won’t regret it!
Gena Hamshaw is a certified clinical nutritionist with an emphasis on plant-based nutrition. She writes about body image, green living, and a plant-based lifestyle on her popular blog, ChoosingRaw.com.
