Is almond milk better than cow milk for weight loss

Almond milk and cow's milk are both packed with nutrients, but pros and cons may exist for each. Many different types of cow's and almond milks are available commercially, so it's often difficult to determine which is the healthiest. The best choice for you depends on a variety of factors.

Calorie Content

Almond milk generally contains fewer calories than cow's milk, but it depends on the type of milk you buy. Unsweetened almond milk provides just 30 calories per cup, vs. 90 calories in a cup of skim cow's milk. One-percent low-fat milk contains 110 calories, two-percent milk provides 130 calories, and whole cow's milk contains 150 calories per cup. Sweetened vanilla-flavored almond milk generally contains 90 calories in each cup.

What about Protein?

Cow's milk is much higher in protein than almond milk. Protein is beneficial because it boosts satiety, helps your body burn extra calories, aids in healthy weight management, and allows you to maintain lean muscle mass -- even during periods of weight loss. Skim, low-fat, and whole cow's milk each provide 8 grams of protein per cup, but a cup of almond milk contains just 1 gram of protein. Even protein-fortified almond milk generally provides just 5 grams of protein. Some brands of high-protein cow's milk contain up to 13 grams of protein per cup.

Carb Comparison

Cow's milk is naturally higher in carbohydrates than almond milk, unless the almond milk is sweetened with added sugar. Cow's milk contains about 12 grams of carbohydrates -- mainly from a natural sugar called lactose -- in each cup. Unsweetened almond milk provides less than 1 gram of carbohydrates and no sugar, but sweetened almond milk may contain up to 16 grams of added sugar per cup.

Types of Fat

Almond milk is rich in heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats, while the fat in cow's milk is primarily saturated fat. But, skim milk is fat-free and low-fat milk contains very little saturated fat. While some studies show that getting too much saturated fat in your diet may boost your risk for heart disease, other research indicates otherwise, according to a study published in 2013 in the Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. Researchers who conducted this study report that a high dairy fat intake is actually associated with a lower obesity risk.

Which Milk is Healthier?

Cow's milk and almond milk are both packed with essential nutrients and generally healthy for you. Both are rich in calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, and B vitamins. Cow's milk is a good source of phosphorous, but almond milk is rich in vitamin E. Cow's milk is high in protein, which is the main advantage of cow's milk over almond milk. But almond milk is naturally lactose-free, so likely won't cause problems if you're lactose intolerant. If you're seeking a plant-based milk that's rich in high-quality protein like cow's milk, soy milk is a good option. If you enjoy cow's milk but want to steer clear from hormones and antibiotics, try organic brands of cow's milk.

An experienced health, nutrition and fitness writer, Erin Coleman is a registered and licensed dietitian and holds a dietetics degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also has worked as a clinical dietitian and health educator in outpatient settings. Erin's work is published on popular health websites, such as TheNest.com and JillianMichaels.com.

Cow's milk (per 100ml) (skimmed)
V
Almond milk (per 100ml)

35
CALORIES
13

<0.1g
SATURATED FAT
0.1g

3.4g
PROTEIN
0.4g

0.1g
SALT
0.13g

trace
VITAMIN D
0.75mcg (7.5% RDA)

120mg (12% RDA)
CALCIUM
124mg (12% RDA)

Almond milk and skimmed cow’s milk are nutritionally very similar. That’s because almond milk is a synthetic product designed to resemble milk.

The fat and salt content are virtually identical, and while cow’s milk has more protein, it’s still too little to make much difference to your diet.

As well as being suitable for lactose-intolerant people, almond milk is slightly healthier though because it contains vitamin D, which cow’s milk does not.

Read more:

• How do you get milk from nuts?
• Do platypuses really sweat milk?

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• Which Milk Is Best For Weight Loss
• What Is The Best Milk Alternative For Weight Loss?
• Which Milk Alternative Is Best For Weight Loss?
  • Soy Milk And Weight Loss
  • Cashew Milk And Weight Loss
  • Coconut Milk Benefits For Weight Loss
  • Hemp Milk
  • Macadamia Milk
  • Almond Milk And Weight Loss
• Oat Milk Vs. Almond Milk For Weight Loss
• Almond Milk Vs. Whole Milk For Weight Loss: Which Is Better?
• Should You Choose Low Fat Milk?
• Is Oat Milk Good For Weight Loss?
• How Often Should You Drink Milk For Weight Loss?
• Which Type Of Milk Is Healthiest?
• When Is The Best Time To Drink Milk For Weight Loss?
• What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Milk For Weight Loss?
• Is Plant-Based Milk Healthier?
• The Bottom Line: Which Milk Is Best For Weight Loss?
  • DISCLAIMER:
  • SOURCES:

Many of us have grown up knowing and drinking only cow’s milk. Whether it came in a bottle, packet, or straight from the farm, it was usually from a cow, or in some cases, goat or camel milk, depending on where you live; not a plant, seed, or some nuts. However, today, when you walk in your local grocery store’s aisles, multiple dairy alternatives claim to be the secret to weight loss. Trying to figure out which milk is best for weight loss can be quite daunting if you do not know the health benefits of these alternatives.

What Is The Best Milk Alternative For Weight Loss?

Milk alternative options are limitless, and they are often made from plants, nuts, or seeds. These alternatives are made by grinding a bean or nut, then adding water, flavors, vitamins, and minerals. The nutrients and amount of sugar in each plant-based alternative varies considerably based on how it was produced and what has been added. When picking the best foods and drinks for weight loss, it is always best to look at the nutrition label of each pack and take note of the calories per serving.

Here are calories per cup (8 oz/244 g) for some popular dairy alternatives in the market today:

From the above list, cashew, almond, macadamia, and hemp seed milk seem to have the lowest calories per glass (8 oz/244 ml).

Which Milk Alternative Is Best For Weight Loss?

Some of the above popular dairy alternatives have been touted as great solutions for weight loss compared to dairy. But, how true is this and how exactly do they affect your weight loss?

Soy Milk And Weight Loss

Replacing dairy with soy alternatives may help you with weight loss. It is suggested that soy is beneficial in this because once consumed soya affects your hormones and tends to mimic leptin, the body’s satiety hormone. When leptin is activated, your hunger and appetite reduce, which ensures that you consume fewer calories in the day (22).

Read More: Can Soy Milk Make You Gain Weight? Health Facts About This Popular Plant-Based Milk

Cashew Milk And Weight Loss

As seen above, 1 cup of unsweetened commercial cashew milk has just 25 calories. This is the lowest number in the above list. Due to its low-calorie count, you can consume this dairy alternative every day to help you shed those extra pounds. However, you must ensure not to overdo it. After all, even healthy calories count, and having them in excess will lead to weight gain.

Coconut Milk Benefits For Weight Loss

With just 75 calories per cup, this is a great contender for the best milk alternative for weight loss. As if this was not enough, it has been linked to having medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which may stimulate your metabolism. It has also been suggested that MCTs may increase insulin sensitivity, balance gut bacteria, and help control food intake throughout the day, factors that could lead to a reduction in waist size and overall body weight (5).

Hemp Milk

This alternative is made from hemp seeds that are low in calories and high in polyunsaturated fats (1). When it comes to losing weight, the amount and type of fat you consume is just as crucial as your calorie intake. Foods high in polyunsaturated fats are better than those high in saturated fats as they are healthier for your heart and may promote weight loss (17).

Macadamia Milk

A cup of this plant-based has 55 calories which is fantastic for anyone who wants to keep their calorie intake low.

Almond Milk And Weight Loss

Many people consider this option to be the best and healthiest milk for weight loss, and they are not wrong. It is the most popular dairy alternative today. Like many cow milk alternatives, it is usually fortified with vitamin D, calcium, and protein. It is also low in calories, which aids in weight loss. For the faster weight loss results, pick the unsweetened version as it does not have any unhealthy added sugars.

When it comes to the best milk alternative for weight loss, our pick is unsweetened almond milk since it is readily available wherever you are, has a better taste than some other kinds of milk, and is relatively low in calories.

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Oat Milk Vs. Almond Milk For Weight Loss

To determine which of these two milk is best for weight loss, we must first compare the nutritional value that a cup of each provides.

Unsweetened almond milk has: calories: 36.6, fats: 3 g, proteins: 1 g, carbohydrates: 1 g, calcium: 481 mg, and dietary fiber 0 g (3). On the other hand, 244 g of oat milk contains: calories: 120, fats: 5 g, proteins: 3 g, carbohydrates: 16 g, calcium: 350 mg, and dietary fiber 2 g (14).

As seen above, the almond derivative is low in calories, but it is also low in all other nutrients compared to oat milk. In terms of calories alone, the almond option seems to be the best milk for weight loss as its competition has almost 3.3 times more than the calorie count in one cup.

When you take a look at the nutrient count, there is little difference in the amount of protein and fats, but there is a significant difference in terms of carbohydrates. While the carbs found in oats are complex carbs that are essential to your diet and health, anyone on a low-carb diet weight loss journey might want to keep an eye on their carb intake.

With these facts in mind, we suggest the latter due to its very low number of calories per serving when it comes to oat milk vs. almond milk for weight loss. You can make either of these two options for you at home if they are too expensive at the grocery store. However, remember that the pre-packaged options are usually fortified with nutrients and minerals that will not be present in your homemade version.

Almond Milk Vs. Whole Milk For Weight Loss: Which Is Better?

For anyone looking to cut their calorie intake for weight loss, choosing plant-based milk for their diet can be a step in the right direction. This is because when you compare the calories in these two options, whole milk has 4 times more (149 calories (13)) the amount of energy found in almond milk.

It is important to note that whole milk has more protein, which is essential in weight loss, appetite suppression, and muscle growth. However, depending on how many calories you consume and how much exercise you do each day, it might be a good idea to stick to the plant-based option.

Another factor to note is that not all almond milk is made the same; some brands have added sugars for shelf-life longevity and flavor. Make sure to always stop and read the ingredient label on your packet for nutrition facts to make sure that you pick the healthiest version available. The easiest way to do this is opting for an unsweetened almond drink, other than tastier options like chocolate or vanilla flavors.

Should You Choose Low Fat Milk?

Should you choose low-fat milk over whole milk and plant-based alternatives? If you are looking to try and shed some extra weight and are not willing to go for plant-based alternatives, then low-fat milk could be the next best thing. Giving up full-fat for a low-fat option could help you lose weight, and it lowers the risk of heart disease.

The reason behind this is that whole milk and whole fat dairy options primarily contain saturated fat (7). Saturated fats are fats that have all single bonds between their molecules. These bonds are “saturated” with hydrogen molecules, which tend to solidify at room temperature. They can be found in other foods like cheese, butter, ice-cream, and high-fat cuts of meat (8). High intakes of saturated fats are associated with risk factors for heart disease, such as increased LDL cholesterol.

Low fat is also a great way to get all the minerals and nutrients found in whole milk without extra calories. One cup of low-fat 1% milk has 102 cals: carbs: 12.2 g, fats: 2.37 g, proteins: 8.22 g, and calcium: 305 g (12). Low-fat milk is still higher in calories than most plant, nut, and seed options, but also higher in protein.

Is Oat Milk Good For Weight Loss?

Due to its high number of calories, this might not be the best option for weight loss. Instead of this, it is best to opt for other plant-based options with a much lower calorie count. Despite its high-calorie count, oat milk has many other benefits. They include (15):

1. It tastes better than other plants, nuts, and seed-based alternatives.
2. It has a smaller environmental impact as compared to almond milk.
3. Oat milk may help combat cancer.
4. It helps lower levels of LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol in your body.
5. It is an excellent alternative for anyone who has a casein allergy or is lactose intolerant.
6. Oat milk is higher in protein than many milk alternatives, which helps in muscle growth and repair while keeping your hair and nails healthy. 
7. It has calcium which is essential for bone health and macronutrients like folate, which make red and white blood cells in the bone marrow.

When it comes to ‘Which milk is best for weight loss?’, oat milk, despite its many other health benefits, falls short due to its high-calorie content. It is best to leave this option for highly active people who are not worried about losing weight or can work off all the extra calories at the gym.

How Often Should You Drink Milk For Weight Loss?

When it comes to plant-based options, there is no set specification as to how much or how often you should drink these alternatives. Since most of these options are relatively low in calories and have little to no saturated fats, you can safely have several cups (possibly up to 3 cups) a day.

However, the most important factor to note is if your intake fits into your caloric intake for the day. Always use a reputable calorie counting app to keep track of calorie, carbs, fats, and protein intake for the day. This way, you can safely drink your plant, nut, or seed milk without jeopardizing your energy intake and weight loss goals.

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Which Type Of Milk Is Healthiest?

Most plant-based milk, such as hemp, oat, flax, coconut, almond, and soy is considered to be among the healthiest options. That being said, this does not mean that you should ignore dairy and never drink it again. Unless you have lactose intolerance or a casein allergy, this option is quite okay for you. The trick is to mind your intake. Do not drink whole milk every day of the week. You can alternate it with other plant-based or low-fat options. 

Cow’s milk is incredibly nutritious for both children and adults, as it is naturally rich in calcium and B vitamins (20). It is also important to note that while almond milk is great for our bodies and is a fantastic low-calorie option, it is not suitable for the environment. Its production requires a lot of water and pesticide use, which is quickly causing long-lasting and devastating effects on the environment in drought-stricken California. This is where more than 80% of the world’s almonds are grown (2).

When Is The Best Time To Drink Milk For Weight Loss?

It can generally be consumed at any time of the day and even at night to help lull you to sleep. However, for maximum benefits, it is best to have a glass after a workout to help replenish your body with protein, which helps with muscle repair and growth (9).

What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Milk For Weight Loss?

Most kinds of milk, plant-based or otherwise, have protein in them. When consumed, protein-rich foods affect the hunger hormone ghrelin by reducing it. When this hormone is suppressed, you are less likely to snack or overeat, thus keeping your calorie intake low. 

Protein supports muscle growth, which in turn boosts your metabolism. A pound of muscle burns six to seven calories a day at rest, which is three times more than what is burned by a pound of fat (21). You get to expend energy even when you aren’t working out.

Low-fat and plant-based options are also low in calories, which helps you stay on a calorie deficit leading to weight loss.

Is Plant-Based Milk Healthier?

In terms of nutrients, this depends on what choice you make. Some alternatives contain virtually the same amount of vitamins and minerals as cow’s milk, while others fall far short (16). If your desired option does not provide you with the necessary nutrients, i.e. calcium and vitamin D, you can always get extra from fruits, vegetables, and the sun.

The Bottom Line: Which Milk Is Best For Weight Loss?

Plant-based options such as cashew, almond, hemp, flax, soy, coconut, and macadamia milk seem to be the best milk alternatives for weight loss. Not only are they dairy and lactose-free, but they are low in calories and have no saturated fats.

When searching for which alternative milk is best for weight loss, the most important thing is to always read the ingredient label and nutrition facts, as an alternative does not always mean healthy. Many brands and companies add sugars to their products to ensure that they have a longer shelf life. Added sugars will only serve to enable you to gain weight rather than lose it.

No matter what option you choose to help you with your weight loss journey, be sure to always track your calories to make sure that you are always within your recommended caloric intake for the day. Also, milk alone will not help you shed unwanted pounds. An overall healthy diet is more important than your choice of breakfast milk.

Also, be sure to exercise for at least 30 minutes, five to six times a week. If you are unsure of what alternative option will be best for you, please speak to a doctor or dietitian, and they can help you make a good decision.

DISCLAIMER:

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any medical conditions. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

SOURCES:

1. Almond, hemp, oat, soy, and cow’s milk: Which is best? (2019, medicalnewstoday.com)
2. Almond Milk is Taking a Toll on the Environment (2018, sustainability.ucsf.edu)
3. Almond milk, unsweetened (2020, ndb.nal.usda.gov)
4. Coconut milk (2020, ndb.nal.usda.gov)
5. Health benefits of coconut milk (2018, medicalnewstoday.com)
6. Healthiest Milk to Drink if You Want to Lose Weight (2019, livestrong.com)
7. Is low-fat or full-fat the better choice for dairy products? (2018, health.harvard.edu)
8. Is saturated or unsaturated fat better for health? (2020, medicalnewstoday.com)
9. Is There a Best Time to Drink Milk? (2019, healthline.com)             
10. MACADAMIA MILK (2019, ndb.nal.usda.gov)
11. Milk Mysteries: What’s in Your Glass? (2018, webd.com)
12. Milk, low fat (1%) (2020, ndb.nal.usda.gov)
13. Milk, whole (2020, ndb.nal.usda.gov)
14. Oat Milk: Nutrition, Benefits, and How to Make It (2019, healthline.com)
15. Oat Milk Nutrition Facts (2020, verywellfit.com)
16. Plant milk or cow’s milk: Which is better for you? (2020, health.harvard.edu)
17. Polyunsaturated Fat Health Benefits (2019, verywellfit.com)
18. Rice milk (2020, ndb.nal.usda.gov)
19. Soy milk (2020, ndb.nal.usda.gov)
20. The 7 Healthiest Milk Options (2019, healthline.com)
21. The Amount of Calories Muscles Burn (2020, verywellfit.com)
22. Weight Gain and Soy Milk (n.d, livestrong.com)

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