Oat milk competes with vegan healthy beverages: Compare to almond, soy and gluten-free health drinks

Oat milk just entered the non-dairy healthy beverages category. How does this vegan drink compete with almond, soy, and similar gluten-free health drinks?

Oat milk is increasingly showing up on the grocery shelves devoted to non-dairy beverages such as almond, soy, and cashew health drinks.

Curious about whether you should join those who are gulping down this trendy new drink? We’ve got the foodie details you need to decide whether to sip or pass.

Is oat milk vegan?

Milk alternatives have become increasingly popular, with vegan dieters seeking a way to enjoy treats such as lattes and hot cocoa in their plant-based diets. Then there’s the gluten-free diet group, who may have various reasons for wanting to avoid beverages containing gluten.

Until now, health drinks such as soy, almond, and cashew “milk” have fulfilled those needs. And then along came oat milk.

Oat milk qualifies as a winner for those who are lactose intolerant, allergic to soy, or allergic to nuts, according to Medical Daily.

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Is oat milk gluten-free?

But be cautious and read that label if you are sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease.

Registered dietitian Kelly R. Jones recommends carefully checking the labels if you have any issues with gluten, telling Shape that “you’ll want to be sure it was made with certified gluten-free oats.”

Oats are naturally gluten-free, according to Jones, but “they’re often processed on the same equipment as gluten-containing grains, which contaminates the oats with gluten enough to cause a reaction in those with celiac or a serious intolerance.”

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Health benefits

Keri Gans, M.S., R.D.N., told Shape that oat milk does have health benefits that are impressive.

“Compared to other plant-based beverages, e.g., almond, cashew, coconut, and rice, it has more protein,” said Gans.

And for those trying to get more fiber in their diet, the trendy drink scores.

“Cow’s milk has 0g fiber, almond and soy have 1 gram of fiber per serving—so oat milk with 2 grams of fiber is the highest,” emphasized the nutrition expert.

Oat milk has a variety of uses

If you want to try it, options include:

• adding to a latte or cappuccino
• use in place of milk in everything from soup to a smoothie
• pour on cereal

So what do you think? Will you try oat milk? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section.