Will Oat Milk Work Best for You or Buttermilk?

Buttermilk Versus Oat milk is currently a new topic of discussion between health and fitness enthusiasts. As a passionate nutritionist, I am comparing this traditional fermented drink with the trendiest plant based milk of nowadays.

This blog will enhance your understanding of Buttermilk and Oat milk. It will also help you to answer the question “can Oat Milk be substituted for buttermilk?”

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All You’ve Got to Know About Buttermilk Versus Oat Milk 

Before we head over to the details, let us understand the essential difference between Buttermilk and Oat milk. I have compared these two drinks in the table below:

*Source: USDA; Quantity defined is 1 cup

I’ve listed various components in the table above to compare Buttermilk and Oat milk. To get more clarity let me explain each and every component in detail –

Ingredients You Need to Prepare Buttermilk and Oat milk

Oat milk is made by blending pre-soaked whole oats and water. It is easy to make Oat milk at home. In recent years many packaged brands are also available in stores. 

To prepare Buttermilk you need milk and a small amount of food based citric acid, such as lemon, lime, vinegar etc. Traditionally it was made by churning curd and separating out the liquid left after removing butter. This method is still popular in India. 

How Does the Taste & Texture of Buttermilk Differ From Oat Milk?

Buttermilk and Oat milk have non-identical tastes from each other. Oat milk is smooth and creamy has a slightly sweet taste because of whole oats. The thickness of the drink depends on the amount of water added to it.

Buttermilk is a fermented drink that makes it slightly sour and tangy to taste. According to your preference, you can add something sweet like honey or salt in it to change the taste.

Suggested Daily Consumption Amount for Buttermilk and Oat Milk

One cup of Oat milk is ideal for adults to consume. Adding it in your tea or coffee is a great option if you plan on consuming Oat milk on a regular basis. I also love using it to make fresh fruit smoothies. 

Buttermilk can be had every day too and its consumption should ideally be around 1 cup per day. During hot weather, you can increase your intake to keep yourself cool.

Comparing The Calorie Intake For Buttermilk and Oat milk

If we compare oat milk and buttermilk, then we find that traditional buttermilk made from whole milk has more calories than oat milk. However, buttermilk made from low-fat milk will have lesser calories than Oat milk. 

Since oat milk is full of fibre, you feel full for a long duration. This can thus help you control your cravings. 

Buttermilk or Oat milk – Which One Has Higher Fats?

Compared to Buttermilk made from whole milk, Oat milk has a lower fat content. Fitness enthusiasts can thus opt for Oat milk.  Research suggests that drinking oat milk regularly can lower bad cholesterol levels.

While buttermilk made from whole milk has more cholesterol, the market versions made using low-fat milk have very low levels of fat. This makes these low-fat variants a hit amongst fitness enthusiasts

Buttermilk and Oat milk: Which Should You Choose For Higher Protein?

Buttermilk is a dairy product and that is the reason that it is a better source of protein compared to Oat milk. But compared to other plant-based milk, Oat milk has high protein content.

For vegans, Oat milk is a  good choice to fulfil their protein needs.

Buttermilk and Oat milk As a Calcium Source

According to American Bone health, calcium is essential for strong bones. Buttermilk and Oat milk both are good sources of calcium.

Buttermilk is made from milk and is full of calcium. While homemade oat milk is low in calcium, it is often added in packaged oat milk to make it as calcium-rich nutritious as dairy.   

Right Time to Consume Buttermilk and Oat Milk

Mornings are the best time to consume Oat milk and energize yourself for the day. Include Oat milk in your breakfast to get maximum benefits. 

Buttermilk is best for a midday break or lunch. It is refreshing to have a cup of buttermilk in the afternoon, but you should try to avoid buttermilk at night.

How Does Buttermilk and Oat Milk Impact the Environment?

If we compare the environmental impact of Buttermilk and Oat milk, then oat milk is definitely an eco-conscious choice. Buttermilk is derived from dairy which is known to have a negative impact on environment.

Raising cattle for milk leads to the cutting down of forests for pastures and the release of carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming. As a plant-based drink, there is no doubt Oat milk is an environmentally friendly option compared to Buttermilk.

Buttermilk and Oat milk as Vegan Choices

Buttermilk is an essential part of a vegetarian platter but since it’s a dairy product it can’t be included in a vegan diet.

Oat milk is a plant-based food so it can definitely be a part of vegan food choices and can be replaced with dairy products in vegan cooking. 

Improve Your Oral Health With Buttermilk And Oat Milk

Buttermilk and Oat milk both are rich sources of calcium. Calcium is important not only for strong teeth but also for good oral hygiene. Regular consumption of Buttermilk and Oat milk will maintain dental and gum health. 

Apart from that since buttermilk is a fermented drink it also helps to keep the mouth cells healthy. 

Buttermilk and Oat Milk- How About Its Impact on the Tummy?

Both Buttermilk and Oat milk are stomach-friendly milk options.  Buttermilk is full of good bacteria which help you to break down the food and clean the stomach easily.

Oat milk is a good source of fibre which is essential for easy digestion of food. However, people with weak digestion should limit the intake as it can cause your stomach to get upset.

Buttermilk And Oat Milk as Refreshing Drinks

Buttermilk is a natural coolant. It helps you to cool down immediately and protects you from heat during summer.

Water is one of the base ingredients to prepare Oat milk which makes it a refreshing milk option.

Buttermilk and Oat Milk Prevent Dehydration

As you know at least 60 to 70 per cent of the adult body is made of water. So, keeping yourself hydrated is an absolute necessity for your survival.

Though both the drinks help you stay hydrated, compared to Oat milk, Buttermilk is a better option for staying hydrated for long hours. Additionally, buttermilk has minerals that help prevent dehydration.

Flavourful Additives for Buttermilk and Oat Milk

Buttermilk has been traditionally part of Indian and Asian cuisine. To enhance its flavours, spices and herbs can be added.

To oat milk, you can add a number of flavours, but my favourite is fresh honey. Apart from this, you can also add vanilla essence to it. Commercial oat milk come with a lot of flavours, however, when buying it make sure you check the label and buy the unsweetened version for the best benefits.

Buttermilk and Oat milk both have their own qualities and benefits. Choose the correct milk option according to your needs and preferences but don’t be afraid of adding something new to your diet.

Regardless of whether you following veganism or a vegetarian, a fitness enthusiast or a nature lover, I hope this blog helps you gain clarity before you replace oat milk with buttermilk or the other way round. 

If you have any further queries, ask me in the comment section.