Skim milk vs soy milk

Introduction

Soy milk is slowly gaining in popularity because it has become the choice for those who suffer from lactose intolerance or other types of milk related allergies. Many people claim that soy milk is much more beneficial for one’s health than ordinary skimmed cow’s milk.

Soy Milk

Soy milk is a common soy product, that is extracted from soybeans by soaking them and then grinding them with added water, then straining the fluid to become soy milk, which is actually a stable emulsion consisting of protein, water and different oils. Soy milk originates from China and can be characterized by a “beany” taste. The western market consumes more flavored soy milk products, like those with added chocolate or vanilla flavor. Some of those products are also fortified with added amounts of calcium or vitamins. Soy milk contains less saturated fats than ordinary cow’s milk, it prevents cancers, osteoporosis and heart disease. It may be of great help for all those who are lactose intolerant.

Skim Milk

Skim milk is the ordinary cow milk from which the fat content gets removed by a certain process called skimming. The milk needs to settle so the fat can be skimmed off from the surface. Skimmed milk contains no fat and is very rich in proteins. The modern process of skimming involves spinning the milk in centrifuges in giant stainless steel tanks, so the fat gets separated and then drained off. Skimmed milk contains less than 0.5 percent of fat content. Semi skimmed milk contains from 1 to 2 percent of fat content , while the whole milk contains 3.5 percent of fat content. A glass of skim milk contains 91 calories, while the same amount of whole milk provides 147 calories.

Difference Between Soy Milk and Skim Milk

Soy milk is a plant extract and it does not come from an animal, so it is suitable for use by vegetarians and vegans. It does not contain any lactose so it is a good choice for all those who are lactose intolerant. A cup of soy milk contains 80.85 calories, 6.74 grams of proteins, 4.68 grams of fat, 4.43 grams of carbohydrates, 29.4 milligrams of sodium and 345.45 milligrams of potassium. A cup of skimmed milk contains 85.53 calories, 8.35 grams of proteins, 0.441 grams of fat, 11.88 grams of carbohydrates, 4.41 milligrams of cholesterol, 405.72 milligrams of potassium an 126.18 milligrams of sodium. Soy milk is a good source of isoflavones, while skim milk is very rich in calcium, vitamin B12 and riboflavin.