Plant-Based Beverages – The Possibility of Using Them as an Alternative to Milk
Mia Hoffmann
2026-03-20
8 min. read
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Plant-based beverages are a popular alternative to traditional milk. They are mainly used by people with cow's milk protein allergy, vegans, and those who want to enrich their diet. Replacing milk from mammals is currently very trendy. In most coffee shops, you can easily order coffee with drinks: coconut, soy, or almond. Is it possible to prepare a healthy and valuable plant-based beverage on your own? What should guide the choice? What is the difference between the different types of these drinks?
Why a plant-derived liquid cannot be labeled as milk
According to European Union regulations, only a substance secreted by the mammary glands of mammals can be called milk. Plant-based beverages are instead suspensions of crushed and water-dissolved plant components that resemble dairy products of animal origin. They are derived from grains, legumes, and nuts, and have no relation to animal raw materials. Therefore, the use of the term "plant-based beverage" is incorrect. Plant-based beverages, regardless of the products they are based on, consist mainly of water. Depending on the type and manufacturer, plant-based beverages vary in their protein, carbohydrate, fat, and fiber content, as well as their caloric value. To achieve a similar nutritional composition to cow's milk, plant-based beverages are enriched with e.g. calcium or vitamins.
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