Milk Please, Hold the Dairy

Here a fart, there a fart, everywhere a fart, fart. For so many people, having a glass of cow's milk doesn't go well at all. For some, the flatulence and sudden need for TP is consistent, especially those with lactose intolerance, while for others it's a gamble - will the tummy rumble this time?

Being allergic to milk, lactose intolerant, a non dairy consumer, wary of the effects consuming cow's milk has on you or desirous of variety, milk substitutes are great. There are several grain milks and plant milks.

Soy milk, almond milk, rice milk and hemp milk are milk substitutes found in several supermarkets across Kingston, St. Andrew, Portmore and other towns in Jamaica. Prices tend to range from JM$200 to JM$500 for one quart. These non-dairy beverage are often consumed as they are or used, in the place of cow's milk, in food preparation.

Brownies made using Bob's Red Mill Wheat Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free Brownie Mix and Rice Milk

Soy Milk 

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss Chocolate flavored soymilk

Gluten Free

Cholesterol Free

Dairy Free

Naturally Lactose Free

Major allergy information: contains soy

Ingredients: filtered water, soy protein, cane sugar, corn maltodextrin, fructose, vegetable oils, minerals, cocoa powder, acidity regulator, flavour, antioxidant, vitamins

Contains no artificial colours or preservatives

Contains protective antioxidants

Made from non-GM Soy

Product of Australia

Almond Milk
Silk Pure Almond almond milk Vanilla

Gluten Free

Cholesterol Free

Dairy Free

Major allergy information: contains almond

Ingredients: almond milk, cane sugar, sea salt, natural flavour, locust bean gum, sunflower lecithin, gellan gum

Contains no artificial colours or artificial flavours

Made without genetically modified ingredients

Product of USA

Rice Milk

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Lactose Free

Soy Free

Cholesterol Free

Vegetarian

Vegan

Ingredients: filtered water, organic brown rice, organic white rice, organic canola oil, tricalcium phosphate, natural vanilla flavour, sea salt, vitamin A acetate, vitamin B2, vitamin D2, vitamin B

Contains no trans fat, no artificial ingredients, no preservatives and no sugar added

Certified organic

Non-GMO

Made in Canada

Hemp Milk

Pacific all natural Hemp Non-Dairy Beverage Vanilla

Soy Free

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Lactose Free

Cholesterol Free

Vegan

Vegetarian

Ingredients: hemp nut base, brown rice syrup, natural vanilla with other natural flavours, disodium phosphate, xanthan gum, calcium phosphate, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, riboflavin, vitamin B12

Product of USA

Serving Size:

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 240 mL

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 250 ml

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 240 mL

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 250 mL

Comparative Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories:

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 90

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 149

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 160

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 130

Total Fat:

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 2.5g

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 3.8g

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 5g

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 2.5g

Carbohydrate:

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 16g

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 21g

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 24g

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 26g

Protein:

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 1g

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 8g

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 3g

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 2g

Sodium:

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 160mg

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 115mg

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 135mg

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 65mg

Sodium controls blood pressure and blood volume. Excessive intake of sodium may lead to high blood pressure. For healthy adults, it is recommended that sodium intake not exceed 2,300mg.

Potassium:

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 35mg

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 725mg

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 170mg

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 50mg

Potassium aids the body: in breaking down and using carbohydrates, building proteins and muscles, normal blood pressure regulation. Recommended daily dietary intake of potassium for adults is  4.7g. Too little potassium may lead to weak muscles, irregular heart rhythms, slightly elevated blood pressure. Excessive potassium intake may lead to irregular heart rhythms, damage to the heart.

Calcium (% daily value):

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 45%

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 37%

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 50%

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 30%

Calcium intake aids several bodily functions including: bone and teeth development, clotting blood, sending and receiving nerve signals, releasing hormones and enzymes and regulates muscle contraction including the heartbeat. Insufficient calcium intake may lead to low bone mass, increased risk of osteoporosis and increased bone fracture.

Vitamin A (% daily value):

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 10%

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 13%

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 10%

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 10%

Vitamin A is important for good vision. Inadequate intake of Vitamin A may lead to poor vision or inability to see in low lighting.

Riboflavin (% daily value):

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 25%

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 25%

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 35%

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 25%

Riboflavin aids with red blood cell production and releasing energy from carbohydrates. Inadequate intake of riboflavin may cause anemia, swelling of mucous membranes, eyes sensitive to bright light, scrotal dermatitis, cracks at the corner of mouth, dry skin, mouth ulcers, inflammation of the tongue and cracked lips.

Vitamin B12 (% daily value):

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla - 50%

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss - 50%

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla - 25%

Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla - 50%

Vitamins aid in the formation of red blood cells and the functioning of nerve tissue. Inadequate intake of vitamin B12 may lead to anaemia and nerve and brain damage.

Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla has the least calories per serving, grams of carbohydrates, proteins and total fat and milligrams of potassium of the four, while having the most milligrams of sodium. Of the four it is one of the best sources for Vitamin B12. Silk Pure Almond almondmilk Vanilla is a great source of Vitamin E (50% daily value).

Sanitarium So Good Chocolate Bliss  has, of the four, the most grams of potassium and protein per serving. Of the four, it is the best source of Vitamin A.

Pacific all natural Hemp Vanilla has the most calories per serving and grams of total fat. Of the four, it is the best source of calcium and riboflavin. It is a good source of phosphorus (30%) and magnesium (25% daily value).

Of the four, Natur-a Rice Organic Fortified Rice Beverage Vanilla has the least grams of total fat and milligrams of sodium while having the most grams of carbohydrate.

Sources for information on functions, deficiency and excessive intake of nutrients:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

http://nutrition.about.com/od/foodfun/p/potassium_foods.htm

http://ods.od.nih.gov

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/172774.php