5 Soy-Free Milk Alternatives

A whopping 91 percent of the soy grown here in the U.S. is genetically modified, and the easiest way to ensure that a soy product isn't GM is to stick with organic. USDA certified organic foods, by definition, cannot contain GM ingredients.

Do you have a tough time finding organic soy milk in the store? Does the recent hubbub over Silk soymilk have you concerned that the carton of soy milk at the grocery store might not actually be organic? Here are some milk alternatives that skip the soy while staying dairy free.

Almond is the most common nut milk that you'll find in the grocery store, but there are others out there. I've seen hazelnut and cashew milks on the shelf. If you're feeling ambitious, it's not too hard to make nut milks at home. This recipe for raw almond milk from Happy Foody is simple and delicious.

Rice milk is a bit sweet, so it's probably best for cereal or baking. It's normally made by processing brown rice, and the sweetness comes from the grain and usually not from added sugar.

Like rice milk, oat milk is slightly sweet. It's on the thin side, so it's not great for coffee unless you like your coffee a bit dark. For cereal and for cooking, though, this is a great alternative. You can even make your own oat milk at home, if you like!

Thick and creamy, hemp milk holds up really well in coffee and cooking.

It can have a mild hemp aftertaste, but it's something you get used to, much like soy milk's aftertaste. Hemp milk can vary quite a bit from brand to brand. I've had friends tell me they can't stand the stuff while others swear by it. If your first taste of hemp milk doesn't do it for you, you might look into trying a different brand before giving up.

For cooking and baking, plain old canned coconut milk is a delicious soy-free dairy alternative. My favorite use for coconut milk is in the ice cream maker.

If you're looking to lighten your coffee or pour something onto cereal, brands like So Delicious make boxed coconut milk that you can use just like regular milk.

Do you have a favorite non-dairy, soy-free milk that you purchase or make at home? Share away in the comments!

Becky Striepe is a green blogger and independent crafter with a passion for vintage fabrics. She runs a crafty business, Glue and Glitter, where her mission is to use existing materials in products that help folks reduce their impact without sacrificing style! She specializes in aprons and custom lunch bags. Like this article? You can follow Becky on Twitter or find her on Facebook!

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