Oat milk may be a dairy alternative to countless Australians, but one leading nutritionist has issued a warning. It’s not as healthy as you think.
Sally O’NeillFrom Sydney, they call the popular plant-based milk, claiming that one cup can pack the same amount of carbohydrates as four white breads.
“Spoiler Alert: Oat Milk is not a healthy alternative,” she wrote, explaining that the treatment method involves the breakdown of oats into slurries of “non-natural.”
But the problem doesn’t stop there.
Some brands are healthier than others, but many brands add vegetable oils to create a creamy texture.
O’Neill warns that these can quickly turn sour, potentially contributing to inflammation in the body.
She also says the manufacturing process removes natural nutrients. This means that many brands must artificially enhance their products.
Worse, some contain up to 16g of extra sugar per serving. This is the same as 4 teaspoons.
Sally O’Neill [pictured]From Sydney, we called out oat milk to reveal that a cup can pack the same amount of carbohydrates as four slices of white bread
Oat milk can also be a nightmare for people with sensitive stomachs.
Thickeners and stabilizers used to maintain shelf stability can cause digestive problems.
Even if you choose an organic brand with no additives, O’Neill argues it is still a drink that is naturally high in sugar and processed carbohydrates.
Instead, she recommends unsweetened almond milk for low-carb alternatives or organic milk for those who can withstand dairy products.
Her warning is already causing panic among oat milk lovers.
“Yeah, I drink something like this all day!” wrote one shocked commenter.
“I can’t stand the milk taste and feel bad,” revealed another disappointing Aussie.
Currently, the health of oat milk is under scrutiny, so Australians may need to reconsider their cafe orders.
Oat milk may be a dairy alternative to countless Australians, but one leading nutritionist has issued a warning. It’s not as healthy as you think
What about other milk alternatives?
It’s not just oat milk in the spotlight – coconut milk, commonly used in hot milk drinks like foam, is high in saturated fat and can cause a surge in cholesterol levels, experts warn.
It completes just one cup of coconut milk, making up almost a quarter of the average adult’s daily saturated fat intake.
“Coconut milk sold in cartons in the milk aisle is a diluted product than the canned coconut milk type used for cooking, but it has been revealed to be significantly lower in protein than other milk alternatives.
Skimmed milk contains about 8g of protein, but the same amount of coconut milk contains nothing.
“Coconut milk may contain gums that are used as thickeners. If not, always check the label as many brands add rice milk,” added Lenherr.
Many plant-based milk, which are claimed to have no added sugar, still contains rice milk as a sweetener.
However, like sugar, rice milk has a high glycemic index and carbohydrate content, which can affect blood sugar levels.
Also, rice milk is not recommended for children under the age of 5 as it contains small arsenic levels.
