Oat milk's popularity among the non-dairy consumer masses bears the question: is it as good as it seems?
If you're a millennial or even an older Gen Z, you probably got to see the rise and fall of cow's milk, which with millionaire advertising campaigns funded by the dairy industry (Got Milk? Anybody?) in the 90s and early 2000s convinced America, and most of the world, that it was the most nutritious beverage on earth. Not long after, within the first decade of the 2000s, we saw vegetable alternatives become more popular and accepted, starting with soy milk. At this time, people were coming to terms with the uncomfortable consequences of heavy dairy milk consumption, such as the number of saturated fats and, of course, lactose intolerance, both things that the industry has learned to curve to maintain at least a share of consumers. But as consumers also became more aware of the environmental repercussions of cattle raising and became aware of the issues surrounding animal welfare, many started considering alternatives. Around 2008, it was still difficult to find vegetable milk in most stores, and most consumers were on strictly plant-based diets.
Oat milk's popularity among the non-dairy consumer masses bears the question: is it as good as it seems? Where does it land on nutritional value, quality of ingredients, and price when compared to other dairy alternatives and cow's milk? Starting with price, it is unsurprising that oat milk costs, on average, twice as much as cow's milk, and it's slightly pricier than its runner-up, almond milk. In terms of nutritional value, it offers more protein and fiber than almond milk but also contains more carbs and natural sugars. Depending on your diet, this might be a good or a bad thing, but for those following a low-calorie diet, there may be better choices than choosing oat milk. As far as consistency, many gravitate towards oat milk compared to other plant milk because of its natural creaminess and thickness, which provides a similar texture to dairy milk, which for many makes a difference, especially when it comes to lattes. Regarding its nutritional standing against dairy milk, it contains about half of the protein and none of some of the key vitamins, such as vitamin D, Calcium, and vitamin A; however, most brands add these to their formula.
Even though not all oat milk options are created equal, it is truly one of the best alternatives out there. It also has one of the lowest water usage and environmental impact compared to dairy and other popular options, such as almond milk. As with everything else you're consuming, make sure you check the label for added ingredients, as oat milk can sometimes contain added oils that can be inflammatory. If you're concerned with celiac disease, it is also often produced in facilities that make gluten products, so keep an eye on the small print.
Sources:
Dairy vs. plant-based milk: what are the environmental impacts? https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impact-milks
White gold: the unstoppable rise of alternative milks https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jan/29/white-gold-the-unstoppable-rise-of-alternative-milks-oat-soy-rice-coconut-plant
U.S. Plant-based Milks - Statistics & Facts https://www.statista.com/topics/3072/us-plant-based-milks/#editorsPicks
The Plant Milk Report: moving towards a healthy and sustainable diet https://proveg.com/plant-based-food-and-lifestyle/vegan-alternatives/plant-milk-report/?gclid=CjwKCAjw4ZWkBhA4EiwAVJXwqRi2s6yVGwJ3_AE5bNNl2zHhFK_K8YPeaSgcEeaqvij_oafNK9Vm3RoCzBgQAvD_BwE
The Truth About Oat Milk Vs. Almond Milk, According To Nutritionists https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a31043813/oat-milk-vs-almond-milk/
Should You Switch to Oat Milk? https://www.webmd.com/diet/switch-oat-milk