Which milk alternative is best for you

What do coconut, almond, oat and soy all have in common? They’re all types of milk alternatives to traditional dairy-based milk. At iPantry, we stock a range of unique and artisanal milks that you might not see at your local supermarket and they can be conveniently delivered to your door. So to give you some inspiration and the lowdown on what’s new and popular, let’s explore the wonderful world of alternative milks to find out which type is best for you. 

Why choose an alternative milk 

There are many reasons why people introduce milk alternatives into their diet. You might enjoy a splash of milk in your cup of coffee or tea first thing in the morning. Perhaps you’re big into smoothies and looking for ways to boost your nutrition or maybe you’re lactose intolerant and can’t have dairy. 

Regardless of the reason, alternative milks are a great option for muesli, smoothies and recipes that typically contain cow’s milk. 

Coconut milk

Made from the fleshy part of the coconut, this milk has a very subtle coconut flavour and is extra creamy. It’s full of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which can help to lower your cholesterol. 

A 240 ml serve has virtually no carbs, 45 calories and 4 grams of fat. It doesn’t have any protein so may not be the best option if that’s what you need, but it’s a good alternative for anyone looking to consume less carbs. 

Milk Lab

We love Milk Lab for their award winning barista range of alternative milks, some of which you can grab on iPantry. When it comes to coconut milk, you can get either a single 1L or 8 x 1L packs.

Oat milk

Oat milk is one of the most wildly popular vegan milks globally – and for good reason. While not as nutritious as eating the oats themselves, oat milk contains soluble fibre which slows digestion and keeps you fuller for longer. 

A cup (240ml) of oat milk has around 120 calories, 3g of protein, 16g of carbs and 5g of fat. Oats are naturally sweet so it has a creamy texture, making it a great option for lattes and other milk-based drinks. 

Oatly

The Oatly range caters to those of you who love your coffee and value organic foods. Their barista edition oat milk can be bought individually or as a 6 pack of 1L boxes. They’ve also got a delicious chocolate milk and organic oat milk you can try. 

Califa Farms

Califa Farms champion the power of plants. So much so they have developed a barista blend of oat milk you can grab in a 1L carton or in bulk as a pack of 6. 

Minor Figures

You may recognise Minor Figures from their quirky branding, but their products are seriously tasty. They’ve got a latte or mocha milk, oat milk and organic oat milk, as well as nitro cans for when you’re on the go. 

The Alternative Dairy Co

Another option comes from our friends over at The Alternative Dairy Co. Their barista style oat milk is super affordable and comes as individual 1L cartons or in bulk as a 12 pack. 

Almond milk

One of the original and most popular types of milk alternatives comes from the humble almond. A cup of unsweetened almond milk is typically less calories than other milks at 30 to 60 calories, and has 1g of carbohydrates, 3g of fat and 1g of protein. 

What’s beneficial about switching out cow’s milk for almond is that it doesn’t contain lactose and is naturally free of saturated fat.

The Alternative Diary Co

Check out their 1L barista almond milk – which you can also buy as a pack of 12 – for its creamy texture, great for whipping up lattes and cappuccinos. 

Milk Lab

We’ve covered Milk Lab already for a few of their alternative milks but these legends also make a 1L carton of almond milk. Plus there’s the option of buying it in an 8 pack, too. 

Soy milk

One of the most versatile alternative milks would have to be soy milk. A 240ml cup of soy milk has between 80-100 calories, 4g of carbs, 4g of fat and 8g of protein. A brilliant source of protein and potassium, this plant-based milk is great for adding to your coffee or smoothie. 

Bonsoy

This brand of soy milk is used by many cafes around Melbourne because it has a creamy texture that is delicious with a barista-made coffee. Bonsoy has a handy 1L box or you can buy a 6 pack. 

Happy Happy Soy Boy

With a name like Happy Happy Soy Boy, you can expect something a little different! Known for being lower in sugar than other brands, you can grab their 1L carton on our marketplace or treat yourself to a 6 pack and plan ahead.  

Lactose free milk

If you can’t have dairy, chances are because you’re allergic to or have a lactose intolerance. Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and milk products that some people find hard to digest. 

Lactose-free milk is made by adding lactase to regular cow’s milk. It’s an enzyme that breaks down lactose – so if you love the taste of milk but can’t stomach it, lactose-free milk may be the way to go. 

Milk Lab

Our friends at Milk Lab have lactose-free milk available in a 1L carton or you can buy it in bulk in a box of 8.

Low on milk? Get it delivered with iPantry

If you’re in the mood to explore or simply need to stock up on your favourite alternative milk, we’ve got it covered. Next day delivery can be made before 2pm Monday to Friday and you can take advantage of free delivery when you spend over $75.