Using Oat Milk In Smoothies
Oat milk is actually a newer plant based milk option on the market. I only really started seeing it on shelves in the grocery store about 2 years ago, as the plant milk section was always dominated by nut milks like almond or cashew milk.
Now, many people love to add oat milk to their smoothies because it has a very subtle taste that blends well with other ingredients so it becomes pretty much undetectable, except for the added creaminess it provides. Its also a great option for those who want a plant based milk but have an allergy to nuts and nut milks.
When it comes to using oat milk in smoothies, I recommend using a natural, unsweetened oat milk , and to look for a gluten-free certified and organic brand that does not add a bunch of stabilizers and thickeners. The taste will be noticeably cleaner and smoother.
Oatly Original Oat Milk
Magryta says Oatly! milk is made from gluten-free oats, certified Non-GMO, doesn’t contain gums or traditional thickeners, and also carries the Glyphosate Residue Free certification by The Detox Project.
“A problem with most versions of this product is that they contain grape seed oil, which is an inflammatory industrial seed oil,” she adds. “To avoid this, I recommend purchasing their low-fat option which leaves the oil out.”
Oat Milk Is Another Popular Alternative To Whole Milk
A few years ago, soy milk was one of the only non-dairy milk options available on the market. These days, I cant seem to keep up with all the plant-based milk options hitting the grocery store.
Oat milk is the latest trendy addition to the non-dairy milk craze. People cant seem to get enough oat milk, whether its in lattes or ice cream. It might be because oat milk tastes pretty close to the real thing. Its thick and creamy and has a touch of natural sweetness, just like whole milk.
But its 100 percent plant-based, nut-free, and soy-free.
While oat milk may be an excellent alternative for plant-based foodies and people with food allergies and sensitivities, it may not be the best choice for people who follow a gluten-free diet.
Keep reading to find out why.
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What Original Really Means
The goal was to test all of the original oat milk we could find. The problem is, brands are not consistent with their labeling, so we had to get a bit creative. Here are all the ways we found original:
- Less Sweet
- Barista
- Blended with coconut and cashews
Hows that for clarity?! While you can be fairly certain that any almond milk brand has an unsweetened original version, this wasnt the case with oat milk. We did find the zero sugar plain version Chobani this year . Yet we couldnt find a fully unsweetened version of Good and Gather. Then we had to pick between the original and barista version of Oatly! which threw us for a loop. I still think we came up with a pretty comprehensive list of what is on the market right now at the national level. So lets get on to the results!
How To Choose The Best Oat Milk
If you fit the bill for someone looking to consume a plant-based alternative to dairy milk, it’s important to know what else you might be getting when you grab a container off the supermarket shelf. Registered dietitian Sarah Rueven, MS, RDN, CDN, founder of Rooted Wellness, says the best oat milks are made with just oats and water, without the added ingredients companies claim improve the taste and texture.
Here’s what to check for on oat milk labels before you buy:
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What Are The Pros And Cons Of Oat Milk
Its honestly hard to think of any cons of oat milk but there are a few depending on your personal needs and preferences. Lets start with the pros!
Pros:
- It has a subtle flavour
- It contains a great amount of calcium and vitamin D
- It is relatively low in calories
- It is plant based, which makes it great for those who have dairy intolerances or allergies
- It is creamier than most dairy-free milks
Cons:
- Unless the carton states it is gluten free certified it can contain traces of gluten so may not be suitable for those with gluten allergies
- While subtle, it does have a distinct oat flavour, so if you do not like oats, you will likely not enjoy oat milk
- It contains more natural sugar than nut milk alternatives
What Happens If Planet Oat Original Oatmilk Is Out Of Stock And I Need To Give Specific Instructions
- Find Best Match: By default, your shopper will use their best judgement to pick a replacement for your item.
- Pick Specific Replacement: You can pick a specific alternative for the shopper to purchase if your first choice is out-of-stock.
- Don’t Replace: For items you’d rather not replace, choose “Don’t replace” to get a refund if the item is out of stock.
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Oat Milk Latte Popsicles Vegan And Gluten
This post was in partnership with Planet Oat however all thoughts, opinions and content are my own. Thank you to the brands that support Chickpea in The City!
You guys, summer is officially in full swing and I couldnt be happier. Besides the fact its 85º out every day and viciously humid its a great excuse to wear t-shirt dresses, drink smoothies and have copious amounts of iced lattes. What could be better?
Speaking of iced lattes, if you follow me on social media youll know Ive been a huge fan of oatmilk since 2017 when it came onto the coffee shop scene. I love that its so flavorful because the base is oats, it gives your coffee a naturally sweet and oh-so-creamy texture. Now I feel as though no matter where you go or look, oatmilk is at a coffee shop, being the base of frozen desserts and a great alternative when dairy isnt in the cards for you.
Since the 4th of July is this week and tons of parties and events will be happening, theres no better snack to have on hand than a frozen dessert. I decided to combine two of my favorite things: lattes and smoothies and make them into popsicles using Planet Oats full-bodied, creamy textured oat milk. The brands line of oatmilk is fully dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, lactose-free, peanut and tree-nut free and comes in FOUR flavors: Original, Vanilla, Extra Creamy and Dark Chocolate.
What You Need To Know About Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other derivatives of these grains. It gives dough its elasticity and helps bind foods together, making it a common food additive in processed foods like condiments.
The popularity of gluten-free diets has skyrocketed in recent years. People embrace this diet trend to help with weight loss, digestive conditions, autoimmune disease, hormone imbalances, and even acne.
However, going gluten-free isnt exactly the cure-all people imagine. Yes, some people benefit from following a gluten-free diet, but definitely not everyone.
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Halsa Blueberry Oatgurt Drink
This drinkable yogurt beverage from Halsaa brand using sustainably-grown Scandinavian organic oatshas nearly two grams of fiber and five grams of protein per serving. It also meets the dietitian-preferred requirements of containing no GMO ingredients, phosphates, gums, or oils. The only caveat here is the sugar . Luckily, it’s the naturally occurring kind from the real fruit added, not the added or artificial kind.
Gluten Free Oats With Mechanically/optical Separation
- Bobs Red Mill has personally confirmed that they use a mix of purity protocol and mechanically separated oats.
- General Mills
- Natures Path
- Purely Elizabeth Our granolas are not purity protocol at this time but we are starting to transition all of our oats to purity protocol oats in 2020!
- Quaker Oats
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Oat Milk: Is This Trendy Dairy
May 14, 2018
You may have heard of almond milk or rice milk, but have you heard of oat milk? This milk alternative is becoming more and more common on supermarket shelves these days due to its delicious flavor and impressive nutrient profile. Its also ideal for those with dietary restrictions or allergies, as its naturally free of dairy, lactose, soy, nuts and gluten as oats are naturally gluten-free.
Ready to start adding this nutritious ingredient into your routine? Keep reading to find out more about the potential oat milk benefits and side effects, plus how to make your own with just two ingredients required.
More Facts On Planet Oat Oatmilk
- Price: $3.99 per 52-ounce carton
- Availability: Planet Oat Oatmilk is available in the refrigerated section of stores like Kroger, Shaws, and Whole Foods in the U.S. Its also sold via .
- Certifications: Planet Oat Oatmilk is Non-GMO Verified and Certified Kosher D .
- Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Planet Oat Oatmilk is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. Most varieties are also oil-free.*
- For More Product Information: Visit the Planet Oat website at planetoat.com.
*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed safe for every individuals needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.
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Added Sugar In Planet Oat Oatmilk
It looks like some in-store cartons are now showing 4 grams of added sugars in the Extra Creamy, Original, and Vanilla varieties, despite no change in the total sugars, formula, or information on Planet Oats website. There was a ruling that oat milk companies must disclose oat sugar created during the production of oat milk , as added sugars. We assume thats why cartons in store seem to have added sugars now. So technically, there still arent any types of sugar added to the formula, but sugar is created in the processing.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Drinking Oat Milk
Nicole Magryta, RDN, author of Nourish Your Tribe, says most oat milks contain one to three grams of fiber per serving , but also contain more calories and carbohydrates. In other words, you’re kind of coming out even unless you’re buying fortified oat milk from a supermarket.
“The health benefits of the milk itself are not necessarily from the oats and water, which offer marginal benefits, but from the fortified nutrients added during processing,” says Magryta. ” vitamins A, D, B12, B2 and calcium are added so the product can be a close nutritional substitute for dairy milk.”
What about homemade, unfortified oat milk is there any point to drinking it? Yes, but mostly only if you need to avoid cow’s milk because of an allergy or want to support a more sustainable alternative, says Magryta. Because sensitivities or allergies to oats are uncommon, oat milk gives people with dietary restrictions on soy, dairy, or nuts another beverage alternative.
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Where To Find And How To Use Oat Milk
Wondering where to buy oat milk? While it may not be as easy to find as other milk alternatives, such as almond milk or soy milk, it is becoming increasingly available due to its recent rise in popularity. You can usually find it near the other nut milks in the health food section of your local grocery store. You can also find certain oat milk brands through online retailers as well. Be sure to look for an unsweetened variety, and check the ingredients label carefully to pick a product with a minimal amount of added ingredients.
If youre having difficulty finding oat milk, you can also try making it on your own. Not only does this give you complete control of your ingredients, but it also allows you to make your oat milk unsweetened and free of preservatives. To make your own oat milk, simply soak a cup of oats in water for 30 minutes, then combine with three cups of water and blend in a food processor. Using a cheese cloth or nut milk bag, you can then strain the milk and enjoy.
There are plenty of potential uses for oat milk. You can swap it in for conventional milk in your cereal and overnight oats or use it to whip up certain types of desserts that dont require cooking, like pudding or ice cream. You can also use it in your favorite beverages and add it to your morning smoothie, latte, tea or coffee. Just be sure to avoid directly heating this milk as it can thicken and develop a gelatinous texture.
Best Oat Milk Brands Of 2021
To make the table easy to decode, I used a leaf scoring system :
While Califia was the stand out winner in all categories, most of the milk brands we tested were pretty middle-of-the-road. Only 3 brands, Califia, Elmhurst, and Forager, boasted a simple ingredient list. Simply Oat has a simpler ingredient list as well, yet included the ever elusive natural flavors, which dethroned its seat from our cleanest list.
Since most of the milk we tested had several additives and gums, they were disqualified from dark green status. I def recommend checking the calorie + sugar content of any oat beverage you purchase. The sugar content alone ranges from 1g to 10g between brands, so we felt them worth mentioning:
- Natural by Nature: 120 calories, 10g added sugar
- Trader Joes: 90 calories, 9g added sugar
- Good + Gather: 90 calories, 9g added sugar
- Chobani Extra Creamy Original: 120 calories, 8g added sugar
- Oatly: 120 calories, 7g added sugar
- Califia: 130 calories, 4g added sugar
- Planet Oat: 90 calories, 4g added sugar
- Silk: 80 calories, 4g added sugar
- Simply Oat Original: 80 calories, 4g added sugar
- Forager: 45 calories, 2g sugar
- Elmhurst: 80 calories, 1g sugar
- Chobani Zero Sugar Plain: 80 calories, 0g sugar
Im still a firm believer that the best plant milk is homemade, so check out my homemade milk recipe and let me know how it compares to your fav store-bought brand.
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Bottom Line On Oat Milk
Is oat milk gluten free? Yes and no.
Only oat milk made from gluten-free oats is safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to consume.
Its worthy of reminding you to be careful when ordering espresso drinks at coffee shops that use oat milk. Ask your barista to wipe down the steam nozzle before making your drink, and do not order your drink with oat milk unless you know the source of its oats.
