Dairy-free plant-derived beverage alternatives – Coconut, almond, rice, and spelt-based options
Anna Schmidt
2026-03-25
4 min. read
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Non-dairy, lactose-free beverages derived from nuts, grains, or legumes can serve as a nutritious substitute for conventional animal milk. They are especially recommended for individuals who, for ethical or health-related reasons, abstain from consuming animal-derived products, as well as for those with medical restrictions—such as lactose intolerance or food allergies—that preclude the intake of traditional dairy.
Lactose-free drink for who?
Products that can be an alternative to milk and milk products are currently the fastest growing food group. Consumers' awareness increases as the economy develops and therefore we are more likely to seek new and previously unavailable food. We are also increasingly looking for the causes of our deterioration, which after a long period of observation some people associate with food. Vegetable beverages are food products that should not be called milk when they are, as defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 1237/2007 of 22 October 2007, an alternative food.
It's rice milk
The process of making rice drinks begins by melting the rice grains, which are then cooked in water until they are ready. The whole is then melted and filtered, then enriched with a small amount of oil to resemble cow's milk. The resulting liquid does not have a clear flavor and is more hydrated than traditional milk. Rice drinks are recommended for people with digestive problems in children and after the age of five.
Coconut milk
Coconut milk is produced from the dissolved coconut water, which is then filtered. The result of this process is a liquid with a white colour, creamy consistency and a slightly cocoa flavor. Coconuts are a good source of mineral ingredients such as iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus as well as vitamins C and E naturally contained in coconuts.
It's almond milk
Almond milk is the most widely used and best known substitute for cow's milk after soybean. It is made from water-soluble almonds that have been removed from the skin and removed from water from nuts. It has a pleasant almond flavor and a slightly dense consistency.
It's an orchid drink
Orchid is a forgotten and now reactivated variety of wheat, which in turn is considered to be a low-value food product. It contains more zinc, selenium and copper and vitamins A and E than ordinary wheat. It also has phenolic compounds that destroy free roots, preventing the development of new products, which Dr. Elbieta Suschenko said in her doctoral thesis.