Oat Milk as a Dairy Alternative

As seen on MarthaStewart.com and Yahoo! Health, Clinical Professor and Chair for the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Mindy Haar, Ph.D., shares her expertise on the versatile dairy alternative, oat milk. One major benefit is that it’s lactose-free, so for those with a sensitivity to cow’s milk, she says, “[oat milk] and other plant milks are better tolerated.”

While it doesn’t come from cows, oat milk still offers similar nutritional benefits since “many brands fortify oat milk with calcium,” says Haar, who recommends checking the milk’s label for the percentage of daily value for calcium—she suggests around 25 percent per cup. However, many oat milks may contain added ingredients, and Haar says that shoppers should avoid any bottle that says “barista” or “extra creamy,” as they typically contain more sugar and additives.