What is Oat Milk?
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Step aside, almond milk, the newest, trendiest dairy-free milk in town is now oat milk.
If you’ve never had oat milk, you’re probably wondering what it is. Oat milk is made by soaking and then blending oats (either steel-cut or rolled oats) with water, and then straining them to separate the oats from the milk.
It has a richer, thicker taste than most milk substitutes out there, which is probably why it’s been wildly popular as an add-in for espresso drinks, like oat milk lattes and cappuccinos.
Is Oat Milk Good for You?
While not as nutritious as your standard whole oats, oat milk does pack a punch as it’s usually enriched with good-for-you nutrients, such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D.
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Plus, oat milk is great because it avoids a lot of major allergens out there, such as nuts and dairy. Keep reading to learn more about oat milk health benefits.
5 Oat Milk Benefits
1. It’s packed with B vitamins. Store-bought oat milk is usually fortified with essential B vitamins, like vitamin B12 and riboflavin. B vitamins are essential for your health. From providing mood boosting benefits, to promoting healthy skin, nails, and hair, B vitamins are critical for supporting a number of health functions.
2. It’s high in beta-glucans. Oat milk contains a high concentration of beta-glucans, a soluble fiber with major heart health benefits. Beta-glucans are pivotal to heart health in that they help to reduce blood cholesterol levels, especially the “bad” type which has been consistently linked to heart disease. In fact, one study found that men who drank three cups of oat milk daily for several weeks saw a major reduction in total blood cholesterol, including bad LDL. Not bad, huh?
3. It’s ideal for bone health. Oat milk is usually fortified with both vitamin D and calcium, which are fantastic for bone health and fending off diseases such as osteoporisis.
4. It avoids several major allergens. With oat milk being lactose-free, nut-free, soy-free, and even vegan-friendly, it pretty much ticks all the boxes when it comes to dietary restrictions and avoiding major allergens. Plus, you can even buy some brands of oat milk that are made with certified gluten-free oats!
5. It’s usually enriched with other key vitamins and minerals, too. Along with vitamin D and several B vitamins, oat milk is usually fortified with other vitamins and minerals. Phosphorous, vitamin A, potassium, and iron are usually thrown into the mix as well, making it an even more nutritious option.
Now that you’re aware of some of the health benefits when it comes to oat milk, you may be wondering how to make oat milk. Fortunately, it’s actually very easy to make, and you can even make it at home!
Oat Milk Recipe
Oat milk is super easy to make at home and only takes a few minutes. While it’s great that you can actually choose which ingredients to utilize (e.g., certified gluten-free oats), it’s important to note that homemade oat milk will be missing some of the health benefits you would otherwise get from store-bought oat milk, as it will not be fortified with extra vitamins.
Still, homemade oat milk is a great option for those who have dietary restrictions, or for those who just prefer making their own at home.
For those of you that are curious, here’s how to make oat milk at home.
Ingredients:
1 cup of rolled or steel-cut oats
3 cups of water
Optional ingredients:
Sea salt
Vanilla extract
Cinammon
Maple syrup
Honey
Instructions:
1. Blend one cup of oats with three cups of water.
2. Once thoroughly blended, pour the mixture over cheesecloth to separate the oat milk from the oats.
3. For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of sea salt, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, a dash of cinnamon, or even some maple syrup or honey to sweeten the flavor.
Note: you can store oat milk for up to five days in the fridge once it’s been made.
Enjoy your homemade oat milk!
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