MILKING IT

Deciphering which milk is best for your health/coffee/smoothie is as confusing as working out what you can and can’t do during the current level of lockdown. Good job we have the answers

- Tara Ali

So many questions crop up in the milk aisle: is dairy cancelled now? Does almond milk taste watery? Do you go for oat or soya? What the hell is “mylk” anyway? Turns out, it’s just another name for plant-based milk. But not all mylks are created equal. “As they’re mostly made up of water, many plant-based milks have little nutritional value,” says dietician Skye Swaney. “Compared to cow’s milk, they can contain a lot less of every other nutrient apart from fibre.” So, to help you max your nutrition, we’ve put together an expert-backed alternative-milk guide. Pour over this, people.

LactoseFree Milk

If cow’s milk gives you tummy pains or wind, losing the lactose can be smart. “Lactose-free milks are simply regular cow’s milk with the addition of lactase, an enzyme that breaks down the sugars [lactose] in milk that some people can’t tolerate,” says Swaney. It has the same – or occasionally a slightly sweeter – taste than regular milk and you can sub it into any recipe that needs milk because it has the same texture and nutrients. Side note: you can also get lactose-free yoghurt, cheese and cottage cheese.

Try it: Woolworths Ayrshire Full Cream Lactose-Free Milk (R24 per litre)

Coconut Milk