Food Trend Alert: Oat Milk

You might have heard about soy milk, almond milk and coconut milk but you would surely be wondering what’s this new oat milk trend?
After the almond milk being the trending star, we bring you the latest food trend, oats milk!
Just as many sources predicted that oat milk is going to be the hottest food trend of 2020 and nothing could be truer than this. This vegan drink could be tasty and
What is oat milk?
Oat milk is a vegan alternative drink to dairy milk and the best part is it’s free of nuts, soy and lactose. It is made by blending water and oats, and then straining out the liquid.
Benefits of oats milk
Oats are one of the best foods you can eat due to a number of reasons.

• First, it is a great whole grain filled with fiber, plant-based protein, B vitamins, and minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium.
• Oats have also been linked to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases due to the presence of a type of fiber called beta-glucan that’s been shown to improve cholesterol levels. Beta-glucan also provides prebiotics, which fuel your body’s probiotics and help these friendly bacteria survive and thrive. Eating foods with beta-glucan has also been linked to improved immunity and gut health.
• Oat milk is a great alternative for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to nuts or dairy as well as for those looking to limit the amount of saturated fat in their diets.
• Oat milk is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and fibre. It also contains more protein than other milk varieties like almond, cashew, or coconut milk.
• Bit sweet on top of being deliciously creamy and smooth, it can be added to coffee or shakes and oat milk does not have the nutty taste of other popular non-dairy milks, such as almond milk.
• The creamy taste of oat milk also makes it popular to use in soups, baked items , and smoothies. Try adding this to your pancake batter or waffle batter for a healthier treat.
• It can be a good pre-workout energy drink or add it to your smoothies.

Check labels before you swap out a dairy-based option for a plant-based one, since marketing claims can make “vegan,” “lactose-free,” or “non-dairy” food products appear more nutritious than they actually are. Even oat milks labeled as “Plain” or “Original” can contain added sugar and diabetes or CVD patients should be careful before consuming it.
If you’re lactose free, how beneficial oat milk is compared to almond milk and other plant-based alternatives depends factors listed below:
Opt for unsweetened version
For both oat and almond milk, go for “unsweetened” and unflavoured, check the nutrition facts label to ensure there’s added sugar per serving.
How much of it should you drink?
If you like the taste of oat milk, then by all means pour an unsweetened version in coffee, tea, cereal, or homemade smoothies. But if you’re choosing oat milk for weight-loss benefits, know that it has slightly more calories than unsweetened almond milk, which might be less helpful for weight loss.
Over to you
Since now there are enough new non-dairy milk options, you could always spare some time to try these and include them in your diet according to your preferences and likes. Make sure to consult your dietitian before switching on to any of these.