I had to switch away from cow milk when I realized it was making me sleepy. I fell asleep in a performance review at work after drinking milk. It almost cost me my job.

So I looked for a tasty alternative. I tried many brands and types of alternatives. Rice, Almond, Soy (many brands), etc.

I found some favorites and I'll share them with you, but keep in mind that most of us experience milk as part of a chemical combination, not just plain milk. By switching to a non-dairy solution those chemical reactions your body is used to do not occur.

So not eating/drinking milk will FEEL different. You'll have to create a brand new experience with your dairy alternative. There will never be a perfect substitute.

For Chocolate flavor I prefer 8th Continent brand. I can taste more of the chocolate than the soy, and I like it. The vanilla is pretty good too. It's not always found with other soy products, not as many stores carry it and it has been more expensive than other brands in my area.

http://wa2.www.functionalingredientsmag.com/Content/Issue/30/SoyMilkLC.jpg

I prefer a flavored soy over plain. If you're looking for non-soy, rice milk is naturally sweet. Almond milk feels too heavy to me. I've heard about coconut milk ice cream but haven't tried it yet. For now I eat sherbet - Safeway Select brand. Kiwi Strawberry is my favorite.

Silk brand soy is my current favorite. But it's also good by itself. When I switched from dairy (remember the sleepy problem?) I'd start my day with a small glass of Silk and it was like a shot in the arm. Energy all morning! The milk had really been holding me back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umuP0GW4ur4&feature=player_embedded

Of the Silk brands I prefer the Very Vanilla flavor for breakfast.

http://www.silksoymilk.com/images/product/silkVVanilla.gif

It is too sweet for most people. It's marketed for kids because the vanilla flavor is so strong. Some say it's like eating melted ice cream. The plain vanilla or just plain Silk soy may be all you'd want. But I have a sweet tooth and the extra flavor makes me happy.

Silk has an Organic line, Light, Yogurt and Seasonal flavors (Egg Nog & Pumpkin Spice). They also have single serve packs if you just want to try without committing to a jug.

Visit the website for health information and ingredients. Once you get used to how different non-dairy drinks feel, you can focus on the taste and creating a new experience with your lactose free lifestyle.

http://www.silksoymilk.com/

You asked for the "best" substitute. I vote for Silk.
Source(s):
Personal experience.

Asker's Rating:

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