What if I told you that you could pick basically any type of milk but get it with a splash of delicious sweetness? Well, that’s exactly what vanilla milk is!
Vanilla milk is a unique choice because it comes in so many different shapes and sizes – you can get yourself anything from the classic regular vanilla milk to the plant-based almond vanilla milk! This makes it super versatile…but how does it compare to the great coconut milk?
Coconut milk is one of the most popular plant-based milks out there, and is praised for its distinct and delicious taste, as well as its amazing dietary versatility!
Now, let’s check both of these out in more detail, and really decipher what makes both of these so great – and uncover what they’re lacking! Then, you’ll know exactly which one is better for you!
Let’s begin!
Comparing vanilla milk vs coconut milk
Vanilla milk, as mentioned, can come from any type of milk. This means you can get plant-based or animal-based vanilla milks, which change the allergens and dietary versatility – for example, vanilla almond milk is a lot of dietary versatile and has tree nuts as an allergen while regular vanilla milk is less dietary versatile and has milk as an allergen!
Coconut milk is simpler, being a plant-based milk with tree nuts as an allergen. That said, many people with tree nut allergies can safely consume coconut milk, so talk to your physician! Other than that, you can enjoy it for vegan, paleo, and keto diets!
| Vanilla milk | Coconut milk | |
| Type | Animal or plant-based | Plant-based (nut milk) |
| Allergens | Varies | Tree nuts* |
| Vegan? | Varies | Yes |
| Paleo? | Varies | Yes |
| Keto? | Varies | Yes |
*Most people with tree nut allergies can consume coconut products, so talk to your physician!
Differences between vanilla milk and coconut milk
The main difference between vanilla milk and coconut milk is how they taste, and usually what they come from.
Vanilla milk is made from many different types of milk, with the most popular being regular vanilla milk – it’s just cow’s milk with vanilla flavoring added, which can be done with vanilla beans or vanilla extract. That said, you can get ones made with oats, almonds, cashews, and even coconuts – it’s also really easy to make at home!
Coconut milk boasts a coconut flavor with nutty undertones, and comes in two different versions: carton coconut milk and canned coconut milk.
Carton coconut milk is the stuff you likely know best, as it’s what you get for drinking! It’s made by blending thicker coconut milk or coconut cream with water, giving us a thin but creamy drink!
Canned coconut milk is mostly solid at room temperature, and you’ll usually use it for baking or cooking different coconut-inspired dishes! It’s made by heating high-fat coconut pulp in hot water and then extracting the liquid from the solid pulp.
How to use vanilla milk vs coconut milk
Try using your vanilla milk and coconut milk in these tasty ways:
Vanilla milk:
- Pour it over your cereal or granola.
- Mix it into your coffee or tea.
- Make smoothies with it.
- Use it as an ingredient in baking.
- Mix it into your oatmeal.
- Make vanilla ice cream with it.
- Froth it for your London Fog.
Coconut milk:
- Enjoy it as a dairy-free beverage.
- Make coconut creamer with it.
- Add it to your smoothies.
- Splash it over your cereal or into your oatmeal.
- Bake and cook with it for a tropical addition.
- Make coconut yogurt.
Can you substitute vanilla milk for coconut milk?
In most cases, you absolutely can. Try switching them out for one another in your smoothies, coffee, teas, pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, etc. However, they have different flavors, and vanilla milk comes in many different milk types so keep an eye on its textures, allergens, and dietary versatility! Otherwise, you might find one isn’t suited for certain dishes due to those things.
Nutrition: Vanilla milk vs coconut milk
The thing with vanilla milk is that because it comes in different milk types, its nutritional profile changes from type-to-type. It does tend to have added sugar in it, however, but there are unsweetened vanilla milk choices as well – just check the label to be safe!
Coconut milk is low in calories, with 4 grams of total fat and 3.5 grams of saturated fat per serving. It’s also low in carbs with 2 grams per serving, making it a great choice for low-carb or keto diets.
It has almost no sugar in it, but also has no protein, giving it one of the worst protein contents out of all milks. However, it’s an amazing source of calcium, and also has a solid amount of vitamin D!
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Vanilla milk | Coconut milk |
| Calories | Varies; vanilla is a flavoring in many plant-based milks. | 40 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 4 g (3.5 g) | |
| Total carbs | 2 g | |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | <1 g (0 g) | |
| Protein | 0 g | |
| Calcium | 45% DV | |
| Vit D | 20% DV |
How to store vanilla milk and coconut milk
Vanilla milk should be stored based on the storage instructions for the milk it’s made from, which should be on its label. The general recommendations are to always keep it in the fridge, and consume it within 7 days for the best freshness.
Carton coconut milk should be stored in the fridge as well, and be finished up within 5-7 days after opening. Canned coconut milk, on the other hand, should be stored in an airtight container inside the fridge after it’s opened, and be used up within 7 days.
However, you can freeze your coconut milk to keep it good for up to a month! And note that full-fat coconut milk lasts longer than low-fat types, so keep an eye on the best-before dates.
Vanilla milk vs coconut milk: Which is better?
Each milk has some great benefits, with vanilla milk boasting a delicious twist of flavor and a lot of choice when it comes to the base milk it’s made from, while coconut milk has a distinct and tasty flavor with an amazing dietary versatility.
So which should you choose?
Vanilla milk can be a great choice depending on the type you get and how much sugar is added, but coconut milk takes the win for having a more consistent nutritional profile that’s easier to track, being extremely dietary versatile, and for having a delicious creamy texture with a distinct taste!
FAQs
A lot of that comes down to your taste preferences, but coconut milk has a more consistent nutritional profile and dietary versatility if that’s something you look for.
Vanilla milk is any milk with vanilla flavoring added. This can create some delicious twists, in almond, cow’s, oat, cashew, and even coconut milk!
You’ll find health benefits and drawbacks in many different types of milk, so check them out to find one that fits your needs – or talk to a health professional!
Coconut milk can be a poor choice if you’re allergic to coconuts, or don’t like its distinct flavor.
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