Rice Milk Vs. Almond Milk
People with allergies and lactose intolerance, and those who are health conscious or simply don't like the taste all seek alternatives to cow's milk.
Soy milk has been front runner, but rice milk and almond milk have now started to appear on grocery store shelves. It's up to each consumer to decide which one is better.
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Identification
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There are many differences between rice milk and almond milk.
Rice milk is made from processed short-grain brown rice and is usually sweetened with sugar cane juice, rice sweetener or other forms of natural sugar. It is also typically fortified with calcium and/or vitamin D.
Almond milk is made from boiled and soaked almonds. It comes in a variety of flavors, from unsweetened to plain.
Taste
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In terms of taste, these two couldn't be more different--both from each other and from their milk counterpart. Rice milk has a translucent consistency and is very light with a hint of sweetness. Almond milk has a creamy consistency (similar to soy milk) with the added nutty flavor.
Though none of the milk alternatives are suitable as ingredients in savory or salty dishes that require the creaminess of cow's milk, they are perfect substitutes in baked goods. Rice milk works wonderfully as a dessert ingredient, and almond milk tastes great in smoothies.
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Features
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In terms of health benefits, rice milk is a form of carbohydrate. People may prefer rice milk because of its light, silky consistency and as an alternative for those who are allergic to nuts. It is usually more inexpensive than almond milk.
Though it may also come in a variety of flavors like vanilla and chocolate, these flavorings are additives. Some brands of rice milk are known to have added natural thickeners, such as tapioca or carrageenan, to replicate the thicker consistency of milk. However, some believe these thickeners are unhealthy. Russell L. Blaylock, M.D., in his book "Health and Nutrition Secrets," says thickeners may contribute to, "colon cancer ... [and may] worsen inflammatory bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis."
Features
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Almond milk has been around since the Middle Ages. Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts, because they are rich in magnesium, potassium, protein and fiber. They also contain 70 percent monounsaturated fats, which help reduce cholesterol and heart-related diseases.
As with rice milk, many additives are used to enhance almond milk's taste. Also, the amount of almonds used to make the milk is minimal. Considering almond milk is usually a bit more expensive than rice milk, it may be more beneficial to eat almonds instead of drinking them. Additionally, anyone allergic to nuts can rule out drinking almond milk.
Conclusion
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In the end, there are no true substitutes for real milk. Cow's milk contains fat, protein and calcium. Neither rice nor almond milk can compare. Therefore, when using a milk alternative, for whatever reason, it's important to find other ways of getting the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Ultimately, personal preferences and needs make the determination of what type of milk to drink. Always be sure to read the labels carefully, take note of any additives, and the caloric and carbohydrate counts.
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