Difference Between Milk and Soy Milk

Milk vs. Soy Milk

While the various benefits of both milk and soy milk may be widely known to the public, there are not too many people who can clearly explain what the difference is between milk and soy milk. First, soy milk is not actually derived from milk, rather soybeans are used to make the milk substitute for those are lactose intolerant or have any form of allergy to cow’s milk. Regular milk is derived from the cows and is cleaned and pasteurized for safe consumption. Because milk comes from cows, soy milk is popular with avid animal activists who consider the process of cow milking to be harmful or a form of animal cruelty. Meanwhile there are those who feel that soy milk is an inadequate substitute for highly nutritious cow’s milk.

Soy milk contains no carbohydrates, as carbohydrates from milk are typically what people are allergic to in typical milk. Soy is beneficial in that it helps to reduce the risk of heart disease as soybean plants are known for lowering the bad cholesterol of those who eat its products regularly. There are down sides to drinking soy milk over cow’s milk also, including the decreased amounts of calcium from each serving. There are some forms of soy milk which are vitamin enhanced to be more nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk, however they still are not as nutritious as cow’s milk calcium and vitamins.

Cow’s milk is recommended in assisting to reach the daily nutritional value of calcium for adults and children. Additionally there is vitamin A and vitamin D, B12, and protein in every 8 ounce glass of cow’s milk. However with the nutrition also comes increased fat amounts and triple the carbohydrates that soy milk has. To help those who like milk but may be regulating their diet there are reduced fat and skim versions of cow’s milk.

For mothers who cannot breast-feed, both cow’s milk and soy milk are options to consider. Pediatricians recommend that unless your child is lactose intolerant or you are instilling a vegan diet early, cow’s milk is the best source of nutrition for growing babies. Cow’s milk is more closely linked to the breast milk a mother can supply over soy milk products and formulas.

There are many differences between soy milk and cow’s milk, while some may not taste it, they are present. Not only are both from different sources, but neither contains the same benefits as the other.
Summary

1. Soy milk is derived from soybean plants and cow’s milk is produced from farm cows.
2. Soy milk contains no carbohydrates and is a great alternative for those who are allergic to milk. Cow’s milk is a good source of calcium, daily vitamin, and protein.
3. Soy milk does not have the vitamins and calcium that natural cow’s milk has, and milk typically has more fat and carbohydrates.
4. Formula fed babies are recommended to have cow’s milk, unless the infant is lactose intolerant, then soy products can be considered with a physician’s approval.

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