As part of World Plant Milk day on 22 of August, Califia Farms is challenging consumers to take part in a seven-day dairy free challenge.
According to Rebecca Gawthorne, Califia Farms Ambassador, Dietitian, and Nutritionist, increasing one’s plant-based food and beverage intake has a positive impact on body health and the health of the planet.
A 2018 Oxford study found that plant-based milks, such as oat and almond, used 90 per cent less land than dairy milk and produced 60 to 80 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
According to a Califia Farms, not eating meat and dairy is the single best way a person can help to reverse climate change. To start making the switch to a plant-based diet, Rebecca says the easiest place to start is through reducing dairy intake.
“Plant milks are an excellent alternative to dairy milk for anyone who doesn’t like dairy or has dairy allergy or intolerance,” says Rebecca.
“They’re also great for those who choose not to have cow’s milk for environmental or ethical reasons, or anyone who simply wants to increase their plant food intake or try something different.”
Rebecca recommends switching from dairy milk in breakfast foods such as cereal and muesli to calcium-fortified almond milk, such as Califia Farms’ Unsweetened Almond Milk.
“It’s made from whole blanched almonds with calcium [38 per cent of your daily needs per serve] and has no added sugar,” she says.
Rebecca says this ensures that consumers are still getting a nutritious replacement, from drinking Califia’s alternative milk by the glass to combining it in one’s morning oats, smoothies, coffees, or even in cooking and baking.
“Many plant milks contain heart healthy fats and a range of vitamins and minerals, are lower in saturated fat than cow’s milk, are relatively low in calories, and contain no cholesterol,” Rebecca says.
For dairy yoghurt, Rebecca recommends swapping it for a soy or coconut alternative with probiotic live cultures. Meanwhile, for coffee, she recommends replacing milk with Califia’s Oat Barista Blend.
“It’s super creamy and tastes divine with coffee. From a nutritional perspective it has no added sugar, no gums, and is calcium enriched. If you prefer iced coffee, try Califia’s XX Espresso Cold Brew with almond milk which has 50 per cent less sugar than traditional flavoured milks,” says Rebecca.
For cooking, she suggests using nutritional yeast and cashews to create a cheese flavour, rather than adding cheese. For baking, Rebecca recommends using Califia Farms Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk as an alternative to vanilla flavouring.
To find out more, visit worldplantmilkday.com
