Dietitian: Soy Milk Stands Out Among Plant-Based Drinks for Protein
Registered dietitian Kelly Morgan most often chooses soy milk in her daily routine, as it contains more protein than many other plant-based alternatives. She recommends picking an unsweetened, fortified product.
A dietitian recommends that people who drink plant-based milks choose soy milk if getting enough protein matters to them. The U.S. publication Real Simple reports the advice, given by Kelly Morgan, a registered dietitian and healthy-lifestyle content creator, who herself uses this drink most often day to day.
Plant-based milk alternatives are growing more popular. They are chosen by people who cannot tolerate lactose (milk sugar) or avoid animal products, as well as by those who simply want to try something new. However, the nutritional value of different plant drinks is not the same.
Why soy milk
The main argument is protein content: one serving of soy milk usually contains about seven grams. This makes it closer to cow's milk in nutritional terms than many other plant-based drinks. Soy protein is complete, containing all nine essential amino acids, which the body cannot produce itself and must obtain from food.
Many types of soy milk also have calcium and vitamin D added, both important for bone health. The amount of nutrients can vary between products, so it is worth reading the packaging.
How to choose
Morgan recommends unsweetened soy milk, since it helps avoid excess added sugar while keeping the drink's natural, creamy taste. She also prefers an organically produced product.
Soy milk can be added to coffee, used in smoothies, overnight oats or chia seed pudding. It is a simple way to add extra protein to a menu without significantly changing eating habits.
When choosing a plant-based milk, the dietitian advises looking beyond taste and calories to protein, added sugar and whether the product is fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
