There are many milk substitutes available these days. From lactose-free to plant-based, there is something for every nutritional need and requirement.
All of these varieties are made from different ingredients, so their nutritional profiles also differ.
For example, certain types of milk are higher in calories and, in large quantities, can even make you fat. Let’s take oat milk as an example: does it make you fat? Or can you safely add it to your weight loss diet?
Does oat milk make you fat?
Like most other types of milk, oat milk is not too high in calories but is still rich in nutrients. For this reason, you can safely add it to your diet without fear of it affecting your weight loss goals. Additionally, oat milk is widely available in most stores and is a great substitute for people who follow a vegan diet or cannot consume lactose or dairy products.
How many calories does oat milk have?
One cup of oat milk contains about 130 calories. That’s not a lot, especially considering how many nutrients, minerals and vitamins it contains.
For this reason, it is not very fattening and can even help you get important nutrients that contribute to good health.
Not only is oat milk low in calories, but it is also rich in nutrients that keep your digestive system healthy and efficient and prevent weight gain. So it’s even less fattening than you would think based on the number of calories.
Additionally, most people don’t consume a lot of oat milk at once. Generally, people tend to add a few tablespoons to their coffee or eat it with cereal, making oat milk a part of their morning drink and a balanced breakfast.
If you do this, you will be less likely to consume too many calories from oat milk, further reducing the impact on your weight and blood sugar levels.
When choosing your type of oat milk, you should also keep in mind the brand and any added ingredients.
This is important because some companies add sugar and other ingredients that increase the calorie content of milk, meaning it may be fattening after all.
To prevent this, check the ingredient list for added sugar and avoid these products.
Is oat milk healthy?
Oat milk is not only low in calories but also rich in various essential nutrients. One group of vitamins that oats are particularly rich in are group B vitamins.
These micronutrients are important for various body functions, including relieving stress, combating oxidative damage, and promoting healthy hair, nails, and skin.
Group B vitamins are also particularly important for people who are deficient in them, and oats can provide a good amount of them much better than supplements.
Oat milk is made primarily from oats and water, which is why most of the health benefits come from these grains. For example, oats are rich in beta-glucan – a type of soluble fiber with various health benefits. This type of fiber can help lower “bad” cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular problems.
Just a single serving of oatmeal, including oat milk, will provide you with a huge dose of this fiber. Oat milk is therefore an excellent addition to a diet aimed at promoting heart health.
Oat milk is often fortified with calcium and vitamin D, two nutrients that are very beneficial to your bones. These two micronutrients help keep your bones healthy and prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Therefore, it is a good idea to include oat milk in the diet of teenagers as calcium and vitamin D contribute to the proper growth of developing bones and tissues.
Drinking oat milk also helps meet phosphorus needs. People don’t need to consume too much of this mineral, so just a single glass of oat milk will help get this nutrient into your diet.
Like calcium, phosphorus helps keep your bones and teeth healthy, but it has many other benefits. For example, it supports muscle contractions and improves exercise performance by helping your muscles recover faster after exercise.
Finally, the most common reason people choose oat milk is to avoid nuts, soy, and lactose, whether for health or dietary reasons.
For this reason, oat milk is a healthy substitute for cow’s milk and can be added to cereals and other dishes such as sauces and soups for added creaminess. For these reasons, many people buy oat milk or even make it themselves – which is a simple process – to avoid many complications of digestive problems.
Can you gain weight by drinking oat milk every day?
As long as you don’t consume oat milk in excessive amounts, you shouldn’t experience any sudden weight gain. Most people only consume oat milk in small amounts, usually in coffee. If you otherwise eat a healthy, fresh diet, oat milk can be a great addition to any diet.
In addition, when you make your own oat milk, you can avoid unnecessary additives and consume fresh, natural oat milk that contains even more nutrients than the store-bought one.
Is it unhealthy to drink oat milk every day?
While most oat milks are healthy and rich in beneficial nutrients, some brands may have some drawbacks.
First, some types of oat milk are artificially sweetened or flavored, which can lead to weight gain and high blood pressure.
Therefore, always read the nutritional information of foods before purchasing and choose unsweetened, natural options.
Additionally, most commercially available oat milk is not gluten-free. So if you suffer from gluten intolerance or celiac disease, it’s best to use various plant-based milk alternatives.
You can also do some research and treat yourself to oat milk without gluten, but it’s worth noting that it’s not as widely available as the varieties with gluten.
Oat milk is a healthy alternative to cow’s milk and can help people with digestive problems incorporate milk into their diet. It is also rich in various nutrients and compounds with great health benefits.
So as long as you choose natural, unsweetened types of oat milk, you should be able to reap all the benefits without any negative side effects.