The Average American Drinks This Much Milk Per Day

With more and more individuals experiencing lactose intolerance and food sensitivities and no matter how nutritious dairy milk is, many would argue that we shouldn’t drink milk as adults. And perhaps this explains why so many individuals are turning to alternative milk, like coconut milk and oat milk. 

So, how much milk do Americans actually drink per day? Well, the trend has taken a downward turn since the 1940s. As of 2017, the average American was only drinking 0.33 cups of milk per day, with an additional 0.17 cups of milk added to cereal and an additional 0.07 cups of milk added to other beverages, such as coffee.

In comparison, in 2003, Americans reported drinking 0.57 cups of milk per day. Inevitably, there’s been a huge change in the last 20 years. So, let’s dig into why this might be the case and how dairy milk compares to alternative milk like coconut milk.

Why are Americans drinking less milk?

Move over dairy milk! We’ve got new players on the scene. While milk was once a classic drink to enjoy with breakfast and dinner, fewer families are incorporating this tradition going forward. In fact, if we look around, we can find plenty of beverages fortified with nutritional value, somewhat similar to milk. From oat and almond milk to coconut milk, we can also choose from a selection of milk alternatives. 

It’s further thought that the general public may have become turned off by cow’s milk due to the increasing controversy surrounding the raising of dairy cows. It was discovered that many dairy farms use genetically modified growth hormones, which isn’t exactly appealing when we think about putting something in our bodies. 

So, how does dairy milk actually compare to other popular milk alternatives? Below, I’ll compare dairy milk vs coconut milk vs almond milk.

Dairy milk vs coconut milk vs almond milk: What’s the difference?

The major difference between these three milks, as you can probably guess, comes down to their origin. In fact, many would argue that coconut milk and almond milk aren’t “real” milks. While somewhat true, dairy milk is derived from cow’s milk. Meanwhile, coconut milk is made with coconut flesh and water, and almond milk is made with almond and butter. 

These kinds of milk may further have slightly different uses when it comes to baking and cooking, which we’ll take a look at in more detail shortly. Additionally, you can even make coconut milk and almond milk in the comfort of your own home! While it may take a little extra effort and work, it can allow you to control exactly what goes into the milk you drink or use.

Dairy milk vs coconut milk vs almond milk nutrition

When comparing their nutritional values, coconut milk comes out with the highest caloric count due to its high-fat content. In contrast, cow’s milk and almond milk have less than half the calories, with 100 ml of cow’s milk containing 60 calories and 100 ml of almond milk containing 21 calories. 

Out of these three milks, cow’s milk contains the most significant protein, whereas coconut milk contains zero protein and almond milk contains a small amount of protein. Relatively, all three contain similar amounts of carbohydrates.

Per 100 ml serving	Cow’s milk*	Coconut milk	Almond milk
Calories	60	183	21
Carbs	4.67 g	3.33 g	3.33 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g	0 g
Fat	3.2 g	18.3 g	0.83 g
Protein	3.28 g	0 g	0.42 g

*It’s important to note that there are different kinds of cow’s milk. The cow’s milk featured in this chart is whole dairy milk. Low-fat milk may have fewer calories and fat when compared to the above nutritional values.

Baking with dairy milk vs coconut milk vs almond milk

When baking, you can replace dairy milk with a 1:1 ratio of coconut milk or almond milk. However, it’s worth noting that the taste may slightly change. Coconut milk may provide a mild, nutty flavor in recipes, and almond milk may also slightly change the taste. All three can be used in a variety of recipes, including baked goods, curries, soups, and more!

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