Oat, soya, almond... How plant-based drinks compare with dairy milk

A fact-check analysis compares the nutritional value of plant-based milk alternatives to dairy milk, noting that plant-based options often lack essential micronutrients unless fortified. The report also highlights that organic plant-based drinks may have fewer nutrients due to regulations prohibiting the addition of vitamins.
Why it matters
Consumers are increasingly choosing plant-based alternatives, making it important to understand the nutritional trade-offs and the impact of food labeling regulations.
Oat, soya, almond – look in anyone’s fridge or head to a cafe and you will find a slew of plant-based drinks.
We hear multiple claims about health and the environment these days. But are these drinks actually better for you than cow’s milk, better for the climate, or automatically the right choice for those of us with allergies?
Some of these claims are true, some are not, our research found. Our fact checkers established the following:
Milk and dairy products naturally contain easily digestible protein, which is essential for building and maintaining muscle. They also provide calcium for bone health, as well as vitamins and iodine, says the German Nutrition Society (DGE).
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