Everything is made more complicated than it needs to be, which is why we are here. Here, we are going to be going through what it means to be vegan, and all things milk.
If you want to find out more about veganism and whether skim milk is a vegan product, stay tuned and get ready to take some notes!
What Does It Mean to Be Vegan?
If someone is a vegan, they do not consume or use animal products. This can include foods like eggs, cheese, and animal milk, but will also cover things such as the use of leather and fur, and even some cosmetics and dyes.
You would be surprised by the number of things we use on a daily basis that has animal products in them, and vegans pledge not to use any of these.
Vegans typically choose their way of life for a number of reasons.
They may do it for the climate and environment, or for animal rights and welfare. Whatever the reason for your choice, vegans face many challenges in our world.
Although the number of vegan-friendly options is at an all-time high, they are often more expensive and more difficult to find.
Because of this, it is more important than ever to know what is and is not suitable for the lifestyle of a vegan. A good place to start learning about is milk – so let’s get into it!
Vegans vs Vegetarians – What is the Difference?
Many people are unaware of the difference between vegans and vegetarians. Someone who lives by a vegan diet does not consume any animal products whatsoever.
Vegetarians, on the other hand, can sometimes eat dairy, eggs, and a few other animal products such as fish.
However, this will vary depending on the person, as there are different vegetarian diets that have their own sets of rules for what is and is not acceptable to eat.
Simply put, vegans will not consume any animal products at all, and vegetarians have some exceptions.
Animal products such as gelatin might be eaten by some vegetarians, but will never be consumed knowingly by someone who chooses to be vegan.
Where Non-Vegan Milk Comes From And Its Uses
Milk – we all grew up with it and either loved or hated it, but is it vegan?
There are lots of different types of milk, but here we will be looking at the milk that comes from animals. Of course, animal milk is not vegan, since it is an animal product.
The majority of (non-vegan) milk comes from cows, buffaloes, or goats. However, there is reindeer, horse, sheep, yak, and camel milk that can also be used.
Depending on where you are in the world, one type of mil may be more popular than others. For example, in places like Tibet, yak milk is common due to the harsh environment.
Similarly, in northern parts of Scandinavian countries, reindeer are used for their milk because of the hostile environment. In India, water buffalo milk is a favorite and makes up for half the milk drank in the country.
Milk that comes from animals can be used for many things, not only milk as we know it.
This milk can be turned into cream, cheese, butter, condensed milk, and so much more. Because of how versatile it can be, it is an incredibly popular product and a huge business across the world.
Is Skim Milk Vegan?
There are a number of different animal milk you can buy, including whole and skim milk. Each of these kinds of milk goes through different processes to achieve a different result.
Whole milk, or full cream as it is sometimes referred to, has a rich taste and is 3.25% milkfat. Skim gets skimmed, which means that varying levels of fat are taken out of the liquid. This results in milk containing less fat.
Skim milk contains no fat, while reduced-fat can contain 2% and low-fat 1%.
Since many of the vitamins such as vitamins A and D are removed from the milk while it is skimmed, they are added after the process is done.
While many people concern themselves over the fat content of their milk, it should be noted that fat is required in the diet in order to absorb everything you need from your food.
Since skim milk comes from animals, it is not vegan. No amount of skimming, or any other process, can change that.
There is no vegan skimmed milk, as vegan milk is made from completely different ingredients.
No matter the process animal-derived milk goes through, from skimming to pasteurization, it will always be considered animal milk, and therefore unsuitable for vegans.
Vegan Milk Alternatives
If you are starting your vegan journey and have only just now learned that skim milk is not suitable, there’s no need to worry.
Luckily, there are a number of choices when it comes to milk alternatives. There are more options available than ever before, and finding something to take the place of animal milk is pretty easy.
While a lot of people have to develop a taste for these kinds of milk over time, some will argue that the vegan alternatives are even more delicious than the original.
If you aren’t sure of what milk is available to you, let’s take a look at them below and see what goes into them and what they taste like.
Almond Milk – this type of milk is made from water and ground almonds. It is a great source is vitamin E, antioxidants and, depending on the brand, also phosphorus. Calorie-wise, almond milk has 50% fewer calories than cow’s milk, which makes it a great option for people who are looking to lose weight and cut down on fat intake in their diet. It has a creamy texture with a nutty flavor.
Soy Milk – this type of milk is made from soybeans and water. It is a good source of protein, and has lower levels of saturated milk than regular cow’s milk. Soy milk is known to have a creamy and mild flavor that can vary a lot from brand to brand.
Coconut Milk – this type of milk comes from coconuts and is a clean and refreshing drink. It is high in healthy fats but should be drank in moderation. This milk has a sweet, nutty, and floral flavor that resembles the coconut.
Cashew Milk – this type of milk is full of nutrients and is thought to boost your immune system and heart health, among other things. Fortified versions of this milk can contain more calcium than cow’s milk, which can help with a number of ailments. It has a sweet, creamy flavor that resembles cow’s milk.
Rice Milk – this type of milk is rich in vitamins A, D, and B12. It has healthy levels of calcium and low fat, and is also a low-protein milk option. It is a very mild form of milk that is somewhat watery, but has a naturally sweet flavor.
Oat Milk – this type of milk is full of fiber and protein, and can be fortified with a number of vitamins and nutrients to bring its overall healthiness up. It tastes faintly of oats, but resembles cow’s milk.
Hemp Milk – this type of milk is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are vital in our diet. This milk has a creamy consistency with an earthy and nutty flavor.
Comparing Vegan And Non-Vegan Milk
There has been a debate between cow’s milk and vegan milk for many years, but your choice is completely up to you. While both kinds of milk have their benefits, they also have their disadvantages.
Overall, plant-based milk has lower levels of saturated fats and calories compared to cow’s milk.
These kinds of milk also typically contain some of the benefits that their plants have, and do not contain lactose.
Cow’s milk, on the other hand (or any other animal milk), has more protein and amino acids per 100 grams.
Unlike plant-based vegan milk, milk from animals does not usually have to be fortified with vitamins and minerals to make them healthy. They are natural products, with little to no added ingredients.
Plant-based milk can come in many flavors and can be used for a number of things that animal milk may not be used for.
However, the ingredients and preservatives added to these kinds of milk have sparked confusion as to how healthy they can be.
These kinds of milk frequently have added sugar and flavorings to improve the taste of the product, which may have a negative impact.
With that being said, they do have a number of benefits depending on the type of milk you choose. Some of this plant-based milk has little to no protein, while some, like soy, have high levels.
You as the consumer have the ability to pick and choose which type of plant-based milk suits you best. There are textures to consider, as well as tastes and nutritional levels.
Overall, plant-based milk gives you more wiggle room to try and test different products.
The Takeaway
Now that you know more about milk, have you made up your mind? Skim milk is not a vegan product, and no amount of processing of animal milk will ever make it vegan.
There are a number of vegan alternatives that you can try out and eventually pick out your favorite.
If you enjoy the creaminess of regular milk but want to go down the vegan road, try out one of the creamy alternatives like oat or cashew milk.
If you want plant-based milk that offers a different flavor, why not try the coconut?
Hopefully, this post helped you understand skim milk and its vegan alternatives a little more.
If you are about to start a vegan lifestyle, hopefully, this helped you realize just how many options there are for you.
Now, try those types of milk and let me know your favorite!
Hi, my name is Brett White, and I have a passion for cooking, and following a raw diet. Eating raw has completely changed how I view food, and has led me down a much healthier and happier path in life over the last three years.
Through Addicted To Veggies, I want to share with you my favorite raw recipes. From brownie recipes, to recipes containing pumpkin, my site is full of delicious and wonderful options to consider.
