Rice Milk Vs. Soy Milk

People often opt for dairy-free milk for various reasons. While some people are lactose intolerant, some others are allergic to milk. There are some, who need a vegan substitute for milk, or are simply averse to milk. Substitutes for regular dairy milk include almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, etc.

As the names rightly suggest, almond milk is made from almonds, soy milk is from soy beans, and rice milk is from rice. As we all know, almond milk is the best, but can be expensive. Then, which is better - rice milk or soy milk?

Soy milk is made from presoaked soybeans, that are pureed and boiled with water. This mixture is filtered and used as soy milk. Rice milk is prepared through a special pressing process. Rice, especially, brown rice is passed through a mill stream, where it is pressed and rice milk is strained out.

Rice milk is thinner than soy milk with an almost translucent consistency. While soy milk is available in a wide range of flavors, in both sweetened and unsweetened versions, unsweetened rice milk is the commonly available form.

As in case of regular dairy milk that can cause health problems in people with milk allergy or lactose intolerance, soy milk can also result in similar problems in people, who are allergic to soy products. Allergic reactions are very rare in case of rice milk consumption.

As far as the nutritional values are concerned, soy milk is much more valued than rice milk. Even though both contain very low amounts of fat and no cholesterol, rice milk has almost zero amount of protein, as compared to soy milk.

Even though it is fortified with calcium and certain other vitamins, rice milk cannot be an ideal substitute for regular milk, as far as the nutritional values are concerned. However, both rice milk and soy milk are not recommended as a substitute for dairy milk in babies, especially those below the age of two.

Being high in carbohydrate levels, rice milk is not suitable for those who are on a low carbohydrate diet. Both soy milk and rice milk are said to be effective in lowering high cholesterol levels.

High sugar content is a cause of concern in most of the rice milk and soy milk brands. Another contention is that ready-made soy milk and rice milk have polyunsaturated vegetable oils, that may cause an imbalance of essential fatty acids in the body.

The effect of soy estrogen on the body is a much-debated topic, as health experts have divided views over its so-called benefits and side effects. According to some researchers, soy milk estrogen is beneficial for women with hormonal imbalance and menopause symptoms.

On the other hand, it has also been claimed that this estrogen can play havoc with the hormonal balance, and is also linked to conditions, like hypothyroidism and breast cancer.

In short, both soy milk and rice milk are good as alternatives to dairy milk. When it comes to nutritional value, soy milk is the better bet. For those with soy allergy, rice milk could be the ideal option. As rice milk has only traces of protein, you must include other sources of protein in your diet.

As far as health concerns are concerned, consumption of soy milk is still a much-debated subject. Though rice milk is free of such concerns, it is said that commercial rice milk contains traces of arsenic that is not healthy for babies, if given in large amounts.

If you can afford, almond milk is the best alternative to both soy milk and rice milk (as well as dairy milk). Otherwise, you may use both rice milk and soy milk alternately. If you have enough time, go for homemade soy milk and rice milk, rather than the store-bought ones. You may also seek the opinion of a health expert, regarding these products.

Disclaimer: This story is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert advice.