A 2018 study by researchers at the University of Oxford looked at the global impact of food production and found that producing a glass of dairy milk results in almost three times more greenhouse gas emissions and consumes nine times more land than any plant-based milk. The Guardian wondered what the best milk alternative would be so they compared coconut, almond, hazelnut, oat, hemp, flax and soy milk. Their conclusion about which is best is…you’ll have to read the article to find out.
Plant milks have a dark side as does any crop produced in mass quantities. Things to consider when considering which one to drink include whether the crop is grown using organic methods, how farming the crop affects people and native habitats in developing countries and the crop’s carbon footprint and water use. While each product has its trade-offs, the Guardian found that some plant milks are more sustainable than others.
If you haven’t seen FoodPrint’s take on which plant milks are the best for the environment, check it out here. Also, you can find more tips about how to shrink your water footprint by making better food choices here.