Please tell me about dairy alternatives for coffee

[GinToBegin]

I want to reduce my dairy intake, cutting down is going fine for cheese, cream and yogurt, but I’m struggling with milk in my coffee.

We have a pod machine, and I like my coffee around 1/3 milk, no sugar, but sometimes a squirt of vanilla or hazelnut syrup.

I’ve tried oat and almond (no syrup) but haven’t really enjoyed either. I’m not sure if I’m getting the ratios wrong, or if I’m using the wrong type of ‘milk’, or if I just need to give my tastebuds longer to adjust.

I still want an afternoon coffee, so can anyone tell me which dairy alternative might be best, please?

Thanks.

Can I ask why you want to reduce your dairy intake? All forfeited alternatives are UPF so unwell you have issues with lactose or allergy to dairy protein it’s they’re a less healthy alternative.

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/minor-figures-organic-oat-mlk-6100145585?skuid=051785&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw0YGyBhByEiwAQmBEWos1O8p-ca2ca-6SGg6TdPAuMuCXxNIQtd5i2WZS9zZEk9dDr77YOhoCWz0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Is the best I've tried but still not as good as normal milk.

I like the Jord oat milk for my coffee/tea. I would prefer to have soy milk from Costa etc though.

No alternative milks are perfect with regard to health or sustainability though.

You need a “barista” style - these mix with coffee much better, and will froth up if that’s what you want. The bad news is that they’re made by adding oil, which may or may not agree with you.

If you’re avoiding calories, go for Almond Breeze barista style almond milk with no added sugar (Not widely available - try Waitrose). If calories aren’t an issue, Oatly Barista remains the best in my opinion.

It takes just a few days to "switch" to black coffee

A splash of coconut cream is lovely in coffee but gives a distinct flavour. It’s obviously not at all similar to milk in terms of nutritional provision but that’s not a big issue for a splash in coffee once or twice a day. Very high fat which could be issue if you put loads in and drink many cups per day and need to keep total calories under control.

Lactose free milk? Depends on whether lactose is the issue obv

Have another try with oat milk, a good quality one and well shaken. I get mine from my milkman and it's much better than normal shop bought.

I agree. I'd switch to black if dairy was an issue.

Thanks all, some really helpful stuff here.

@Therageisreal it’s really just to cut down my fat intake; we buy semi skimmed, I don’t like skimmed milk in hot drinks. Interesting what you say about the UPF side, it’s not something I’ve thought about, although my UPF intake is generally low, as DP cooks from scratch.

UPF sneaks into everything even table salt. I was dairy free for a while and I think you need the higher fat oat milks to make it work in coffee.

Personally I quite like most milk alternatives with coffee but when I moved away from dairy I struggled with tea; the best I find is soya, particularly the no added sugar long-life alpro. It does take a little while to adjust and to find how you like it - I put much less soya milk in than I would have with dairy.

I agree with @Annie098 - the Alpro unsweetened soy milk is my milk of choice and where I live, it's the one that Starbucks use too.

Have you tried a milk fluffer with skimmed milk? It actually works better with skimmed and you only need a small amount because it expands when you whip it.

I would just reduce milk. You can do it gradually plus by changing what coffee you are using. I would say that softer roast would call for less milk.
1/3 milk is insane amount in my books ( sorry 😞).
My DH was the same as you, he used to put a lot of milk in tea and coffee but didn’t like skimmed. So he just started cutting down gradually and working on the strength of coffee until he found the perfect combination for himself.

Milk is already low fat, even whole milk is 3.7%, semi is 1.8%! Oatly barista 3%. Have you actually compared them?

I agree. I buy sugar free Alpro soya milk for both my coffee and tea. Very tasty.

I agree. Use less milk instead of a non-dairy milk. Milk is actually pretty healthy and low fat. It’s 96% fat free.

I’m lactose intolerant and can’t use ordinary milk. Lactose free cow’s milk is too sweet for me. I use soy milk in coffee but I doubt that the brand is available in the UK. I don’t like rice or almond milk or those other alternative milks.

It is untrue that all plant milks are UPF. As far as I know, the classification for UPF is that it contains 3 or more ingredients not commonly recognised as food, that you wouldn't add to your cooking at home. Some plant milks contain gum/ stabilisers, especially the barista ones- when I became curious about the UPF claims I noticed that my barista oat milk from Lidl contained one or two of these, but that the more basic version contains only oats, vegetable oil, a touch of salt, and added vitamins and calcium. You can make it yourself at home from the same ingredients, but it's a bit of a faff.

This makes it processed, but not ultra processed- so in the same category as home made bread, cheese, tinned tomatoes- and indeed cows' milk, which is all pasteurised and homogenised. When I briefly lived on a rural commune in Italy, we drank raw milk straight from the cow, and believe you me it is nothing like what you buy in the supermarket.

All the forfeited plant milks are UPF. If your exchanging for a non forfeited product then you need to make sure you’re getting enough calcium and iodine from different sources. It’s the artificial addition of calcium which makes it a UPF as well as the processing of the oil.

As far as I am aware fortification with vitamins and minerals a) does not render a food UPF and b) is beneficial rather than harmful, but feel free to change my mind with some concrete evidence to the contrary.

Barista style milks are good if you use a steamer or frother for your milk.

It took time for me to adjust to the taste of plant milk but I’ve settled on almond as it’s lower calorie than oat which is tastier to me. In my case I have a child who needs plant milk for allergy reasons and everybody drinking the same is easier.

It wasn’t easy picking a milk. The dairy industry is cruel but plant milks aren’t environmentally friendly either. If ethics are a concern, have you considered organic milk ?

Also, as far as I am aware, vegetable oils in no way meet the criteria for UPF.

Plenish cashew is the best I’ve found, v good in tea. Otherwise I go unsweetened soya.

There is so little fat in milk I wouldn't give it up - and fat is good for you!