Shutterstock
We know about soy milk. Almond milk. You can even get coconut milk at some Starbucks locations for your morning latte. But have you heard about oat milk?
Don’t make a strange face – it isn’t any odder than almond milk, and it actually has some amazing health benefits.
Here’s the download on oat milk, a great milk alternative for your vegan lifestyle… or your lactose intolerant lifestyle. Or your let’s-try-to-be-a-little-healthier lifestyle. Where ever you are at in your life, lifestyle.
Oats are actually a really great source of iron. Many people who are vegetarian or vegan have to take iron supplements because they struggle to eat enough iron in a natural state.
Anemia, which is caused by a lack of red blood cells, can cause fatigue, cramps, dizziness, shortness of breath and insomnia.
A single cup of oat milk contains 10% of your required iron for the day. Using oat milk in your cereal, coffee, or baking can boost your iron levels without you even knowing it!
Fiber is so important in your diet. It keeps you regular (if you know what we mean), makes you feel full for longer periods of time, and promotes healthy digestion. Some studies have even linked higher levels of fiber intake to preventing heart disease, diabetes, and bowel cancer.
Oat milk has 2 grams of fiber in one cup, which is more than twice what a slice of white bread has. In contrast, a cup of cows milk has zero fiber.
Oat milk is so great to have on hand because it’s almost completely allergen-free. No lactose, dairy, soy, gluten, or nuts. No matter who you have over or what allergies you yourself may have, oat milk is almost always going to be a safe choice.
As a note, oats themselves are actually gluten-free! Some cross-contamination can occur during growing though, so if you’re worried about gluten in your oat milk make sure to read the package or make your own.
Yes, you can make your own oat milk.
The biggest benefit of oat milk as an alternative to milk? It’s cheaper and you can make it at home. Easily, too – this isn’t a trick.
Take one cup of rolled oats (Make sure they’re marked gluten-free if you’re worried!), four cups of water, and a single pinch of salt and toss it all together in a high-speed blender. If you want a little sweetness, add a single whole date, pitted, or a tablespoon of maple syrup.
If you’re a big fan of vanilla almond milk and you’re trying to replicate that taste, throw in half a teaspoon of vanilla extract as well.
Blend the mixture for 30 seconds but not longer than a minute. It’s not going to be completely incorporated or mushy – you want some bigger chunks, that’s totally fine. Some people report that when you blend the oats too much, the texture becomes slimy instead of creamy.
Pour the mixture over cheesecloth, a thin towel or a clean t-shirt. A nut milk bag is okay if you have it, but it can leave some big pieces behind.
Put the ‘milk’ in the fridge, and you’ve got fresh oat milk for at least a week.
You can even use the oat mixture left behind (The solids) for a DIY face mask. Mix it with some honey and applesauce for exfoliation, a touch of baking soda for acne-prone skin, yogurt, and honey for troublesome oily or combination skin types.
