Oat milk: why is it important to read its composition before buying it?

After soy milk, almond milk, oat milk is becoming more and more popular. And so much the better, because this moderately calorie drink is rich in vitamins. We thus find B vitamins to prevent certain cardiovascular diseases, vitamins C for bone health, vitamins D for the proper functioning of the immune system or vitamins E and K. Oat milk is also rich in minerals, notably iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. These elements serve to strengthen the immune system and general good health.

Today, around 20% of French people buy oat drinks. Far from being a fad, this type of plant-based milk has become widely popular. These milks can be very practical for those who are lactose intolerant or for people following a vegan diet. However, it is important to pay attention to the list of ingredients used. In fact, some brands add additives to their preparation. The idea: copy cow’s milk. However, some additives used are harmful to health. This is the case for calcium phosphate, which is classified as “to be avoided” by the Que Choisir website.

Some milks also contain added fats, such as oil. “If we use alternative milk, we often lack fat, and coffee is acidic, especially espresso” says Mihaela Iordache, head roaster at Brûlerie de Belleville on a daily basis The Parisian. Without these fats, “the drink risks coagulating or becoming even more sour because we do not have what is necessary to counterbalance the acidity of the coffee”. This is why some brands of oat milk add many ingredients to their preparation, to eliminate the acidity of the coffee in latte preparations.

Taking a look at the composition before buying allows you to choose the milk that seems best suited to your needs. It is possible to opt for a drink without controversial additives, a taste close to that of cow’s milk or to prefer a “homemade” preparation.

According to Coralie Costi, dietician and nutritionist interviewed by the media, it is entirely possible to make oat milk at home for much less than a product purchased in a supermarket. For this, you need: oats (100 g of oat flakes for 1 L of water) and water. In a salad bowl, mix the water and oats, and blend using a hand blender. Pass your preparation through a sieve. Repeat the operation, this time passing your liquid through a fine, tightly knit fabric (like a reusable fabric found in organic bulk stores). The filtering is then much finer. Add a touch of sea salt: your homemade oat milk is already ready.

The preparation costs ten times less than an organic brick bought in a supermarket. Then all that remains is to enjoy!