Oats are cheaper, more widespread globally (farmed in most climates) around the world and require less water. Obviously it would be the better option.

That's not to say that Soy milk isn't good. It's just not as good

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My grandfather farmed both soy and oats, but I wasn't aware there was a drastic difference between the water consumed. Now I know. Sucks because I really think soy has the best texture and flavor, but I'm not that picky

[–] Sheeple 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Don't worry too hard about it. Even partial reduction is great. Personally I'm just a vegetarian.

Everyone does their part somehow. Don't let purists discourage you from reducing to the level YOU are comfortable at

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Thanks for the encouragement! My main thing is I have celiac and severe lactose intolerance. I can drink that lactose free milk, but I prefer to drink plant milks. The one I've tried to avoid is almond milk, after my discord buddy explained how wasteful it is to produce them.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Almond milk uses tons of water compared to other plant milks, but still much better than cow milk at least.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46654042

I have a hard time finding oat milk without added sugar, and I also find it expires much faster than almond milk. I get unsweetened oat milk if I think I’ll be able to go through it quickly enough otherwise I have to dump like more than 50% which feels like a waste in a different way.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I'm pretty neutral about oat milk. I have celiac disease, so I eat a lot of gluten free oats as a grain, and so I can taste more oatiness in oat milk. For instance, I eat a lot of Cheerios, which are primarily oats, and putting oat milk on top is not the perfect complement. Soy or rice milk balance flavor better imo.

Now, if I were to make a latte, then yeah oat milk all the way! But I don't really drink lattes, and I've never really drank much straight-up milk. It's mostly a cereal condiment for me. And half my family is Mexican, so if I'm going to drink a non-dairy beverage, it's probably going to be horchata which is pretty much rice, cinnamon, and sugar.

But I'm relieved to hear that almond milk is at least not as wasteful as regular dairy. That's no surprise though, given how horribly unethical and destructive the dairy industry is, at least where I live in the US.

[–] Sheeple 3 points 1 year ago

Oh yeah almond milk REALLY is not an eco friendly option. Your buddy is right on that. It doesn't help that Almonds are usually grown in countries that are poorer, exploiting them and draining them (even more) of their water supply without paying them.

There's an entire metaphorical water mafia going on that effectively steals water from third world countries while using underpaid (and sometimes even slave) labor. Almonds are one of the things said water is used for.

Even from an animal rights perspective that's messed up because of human mistreatment.