Hello my lovelies!!!!  As you know Thursday is our Family fun day! I am taking the day off to enjoy it,so enjoy this informative post By: +Rebecca Chopin writer for Vitacost.com   I hope you find it as informative as I have and you all have a fabulously fit day!!!!!

Move Over Milk! 5 Non-Dairy Alternatives You Should Try

Not long ago, if you wanted to dunk cookies or douse cereal, your options were limited to whole, 2 percent or skim. Milk came from one source—giant bovines nicknamed Bessy—and dairy cases were stocked with cartons and jugs of it, hauled home by families as a staple in everyday diets. Told milk was essential for strong bones and teeth, we guzzled it down, never questioning this “healthy” liquid we’d been introduced to as babies and enjoyed for most of our lives.

But today, milk drinkers are pouring fewer glasses, or ditching the drink altogether. From hysteria over hormone use to tummy troubles triggered by dairy consumption, the reasons for calling it quits on cow’s milk are many. Some simply prefer the variety of the many now-widely-available alternatives, with their unique tastes and surprising nutritional benefits.

There is no right or wrong to choosing a non-dairy milk, but knowing what’s out there might help you decide which to try first.

Soy

The darling of the non-dairy world, soy milk has been around for ages, said to have been first discovered 5,000 years ago by Chinese monks grinding soy beans into flour. Now you’ll find it right alongside cow’s milk in the dairy aisle, in light, full and flavored varieties. Soy milk is made by soaking dry soybeans in water, grinding them and filtering out the milk.

Benefits: Packed with soy protein, calcium and vitamins, soy milk is a nutritious alternative to cow’s milk. It has a creamy, smooth texture and substitutes well on its own or used in recipes.

Rice

Like soy milk, rice milk is now widely available. This grain-derived drink has a history dating back to 16^th century Spain, when a beverage called “horchata”—brewed from rice, milk, cinnamon and vanilla—was enjoyed. Modern rice milk consists of the liquid collected when brown rice is steamed and leftover solids are pressed and filtered. It’s delicate and light, with a slightly sweeter taste than soy milk.

Benefits: Rice milk is low in cholesterol and calories, but it doesn’t provide the protein or vitamins that cow’s milk or other non-dairy milks do. Its sweet flavor, however, makes it great for baking.

Almond

Popular in the Middle Ages because it didn’t spoil quickly like cow’s milk, almond milk is a favorite once again, showing up on store shelves plain or jazzed up with flavorings. It’s easy enough to make at home—just soak almonds in water, blend and strain for a rich, creamy milk with true nutty flavor.

Benefits: Fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants—all naturally present in almonds—come in every glass of almond milk. It’s also known for its omega fatty acid (or “healthy fat”) content.

Coconut

Coconut milk—not to be confused with coconut water—is the liquid that comes from crushing and pressing the grated “meat” of a coconut (coconut water is liquid found inside the fruit). When served fresh and raw, it has a mild, slightly sweet taste without an overpowering coconut flavor. Store bought coconut milk is typically richer and sweeter than other non-dairy milks, making it a good choice for cooking, baking and blending up specialty drinks.

Benefits: Besides exceptional creaminess, coconut milk offers essential vitamins and minerals, protein and healthy fats—most notably medium chain fatty acids, which are used as a source of fuel (rather than being stored) by the body.

Hemp

A newcomer on the non-dairy milk scene, hemp milk has only been around for half a decade. With its nutty flavor—said to be similar to sunflower seeds or pine nuts—and thicker-than-cow’s milk texture, hemp milk makes a great addition to smoothies or a unique drink on its own. Like almond and other nut milks, it’s made by soaking and grinding the seeds, then straining to remove bits of solids.

Benefits: A nutrient-dense drink, hemp milk delivers omega fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. It’s perfect for people with nut allergies and may be better on the belly for some than soy milk, which contains hard-to-digest complex sugars.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Offering more than just vitamins and supplements, Vitacost.com has a wide selection of over 35,000 organic, natural products for your healthy lifestyle. From organic foods and bath & beauty items to sports nutrition favorites and pet essentials, from elderberries to amino acids, Vitacost.com has your needs covered – for less! Take your shopping list to Vitacost.com and take the cost out of healthy living. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.