Is Oat Milk Good For You?

02 Sep Is Oat Milk Good For You?

Posted at 10:00h in Drinks by

Oat milk is now more popular than ever and has become the plant milk of choice for many. But how healthy is it really?

More and more of us are turning away from dairy and choosing plant-based milk alternatives. Oat milk tastes great, is naturally sweet and widely available. Many coffee shops and restaurants now offer oat as their main non-dairy option. More and more of us are starting our day with an oat latte, but is it really healthier than dairy milk? How much sugar is there in oat milk? The truth about the nation’s favourite ‘health drink’ may not be as clear cut as you might think.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about oat milk…

IS OAT MILK ULTRA PROCESSED?

Yes, most widely available oat milks are considered ultra processed. They typically contain a fairly long list of ingredients, some of which you’d probably be surprised to discover. As well as oats and water, many brands also contain thickeners, stabilisers and even oil. Many widely available brands contain sunflower oil, an inflammatory omega 6 fat. Most of us consume far too much omega 6 and nowhere near enough omega 3 which increases inflammation in the body and therefore increases our disease risk and ageing processes. Ultra processed foods (and in this case, drinks) are amongst the biggest contributors to our intake.

HOW MUCH SUGAR IS IN OAT MILK?

Oat milk tastes sweet and delicious for a reason. Most don’t contain added sugar because oats contain naturally occurring sugars. Whether naturally occurring or added, sugar is sugar. It typically contains around 3.5g of sugar per 100ml. For context, there are 4g sugar in a teaspoon. A Pret oat latte contains 9.9g sugar which is equivalent to two and a half teaspoons. A grande Starbucks oat latte comes in at 12g (four teaspoons). There are many health conscious people who wouldn’t dream of scooping spoonfuls of sugar into their morning coffees, but many are drinking it unknowingly in their morning oat lattes.

WHAT IS DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE IN OAT MILK?

Dipotassium phosphate is a synthetic chemical found in some oat milks. It’s a preservative with no health benefits and overconsumption has been linked to kidney issues. People with kidney disease are advised to avoid dietary phosphorus food additives as it may increase the risk of skeletal and cardiovascular disease. Whether or not you have kidney disease, you’re better off avoiding regular consumption of synthetic additives like dipotassium phosphate.

IS ALPRO OAT MILK HEALTHY?

It’s one of the most widely available dairy free brands, but as a team of qualified and experienced nutritionists, we recommend avoiding the majority of Alpro products. Most are highly processed and contain numerous additives. Alpro’s oat milk contains sunflower oil which we recommend avoiding (for reasons stated above) if you care about your health.

WHAT IS A HEALTHIER MILK ALTERNATIVE?

Whichever brand you buy, there’s no avoiding that oat milk contains sugar. If you’re looking to lose weight and optimise your health, the less sugar you consume, the better. If you want to keep your sugar intake to a minimum then choosing a nut-based milk is a better option. Read more in our article: A Guide To The Best Dairy Free Milks.

However, if you’re not ready to give up your oat latte, Plenish’s Oat M*lk and Oatly Organic Oat Milk are the best, widely available brands we’ve found.

SO, WHY IS OAT MILK BAD FOR YOU?

Oat is not good for you in comparison to other non-dairy alternatives. It’s relatively high in sugar and most brands are ultra processed, containing additives that are not supportive for optimal health. If you do decide to drink oat milk, choose a high quality, additive-free brand. Drink it in moderate amounts and have it alongside food to slow the release of sugars into the bloodstream.

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Nikki is our Practice Manager, managing our team of practitioners and heading up the day-to-day running of th clinic.

 

Nikki is involved in the strategic development of our practice, coming from a strong business background in town planning.

 

A Florida girl, Nikki relocated to the UK in 2014 with her husband and two children.

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