How to Choose the Best Vegan Milk

Summary

The article discusses the environmental and ethical considerations when selecting the best vegan milk alternatives, including almond, oat, soy, rice, and coconut milk.

Abstract

The article "How to Choose the Best Vegan Milk" emphasizes the importance of considering the environmental impact when opting for dairy alternatives. It highlights that almond milk, despite its popularity, requires substantial amounts of water and affects bee populations due to pesticide exposure and parasites. Oat milk is presented as a more sustainable option due to its cooler climate cultivation, though it often comes from pesticide-treated monocultures. Soy milk is noted for its high protein content but cautions against products sourced from deforested regions like the Amazon. Rice milk is criticized for its low nutritional value, high water usage, and significant greenhouse gas emissions. Lastly, coconut milk is associated with tropical exploitation and is deemed not worth the environmental and ethical costs. The article suggests that informed choices are crucial for sustainability and animal welfare.

Opinions

Dairy farming on an industrial scale is seen as both cruel and a major contributor to global warming.
Almond milk production is criticized for its high water usage and negative impact on bee populations.
Oat milk is viewed positively for its lower environmental impact but negatively for its association with pesticide use in mass-produced monocultures.
Soy milk is considered the best alternative in terms of protein content, provided it is not sourced from deforested areas.
Rice milk is deemed a poor choice due to its minimal nutritional benefits, high water requirements, and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Coconut milk is seen as problematic due to exploitation in tropical farming and is considered not cost-effective in terms of environmental impact.
The article suggests watching a documentary on the Endevr channel for more insights into the dairy farming industry and milk alternatives.

How to Choose the Best Vegan Milk

Consider the environmental impact of each of the choices

I hope we’re all aware that dairy farming as it’s done on an industrial level is cruel and inhumane. And it’s a huge contributor to global warming. More and more people are turning to alternative products made out of oat, coconut, soy, and almonds.

When choosing, here’s what you should know about each of the alternatives.

Almond Milk

While it’s quite popular, the production of almond milk requires more water than any other dairy alternative. 61.5 liters of water are needed to produce one glass of almond milk. The bee population is also facing repercussions: 70% of the bee population in the United States are drafted each Spring to pollinate the almonds in California (home to most of the almond production). The bees are dying in record numbers from pesticide exposure and parasites. So do take that into consideration when you think you’re being especially vegan-y and sustainable. You’re not.

Oat Milk

The good news: oats grow in cooler climates, therefore, do not contribute to mass deforestation like other products. Oats have been used for animal feed for centuries so it’s already easily available. One downside to consider: most of the oats in the world come from mass-produced monocultures, implementing the use of pesticides.

Coconut

Like many products that grow in the tropics, coconut farming equals exploitation of the workers and of the environment. So something to consider. It doesn’t taste bad but the cost doesn’t warrant the cost if you know what I mean.

That’s it. My summary of dairy milk alternatives. I learned about all of this through a great documentary on the Endevr channel. You can see it here. The documentary on behind-the-scenes of dairy farming and the milk alternatives here

How to Choose the Best Vegan Milk

Almond Milk

Oat Milk

Soy Milk

Rice

Coconut