Comparing the Nutritional Value of Plant-Based Milks to Cow's Milk

A study analyzed over 200 plant-based milk alternatives and found that while 72% were fortified with calcium and vitamin D comparable to cow's milk, the majority had significantly lower protein content. Cow's milk contains about 8 grams of protein per cup, while the median protein content for plant-based milks was only 2 grams per cup. Only 12% of plant-based milks contained comparable or greater amounts of all three nutrients. Consumers are advised to read labels and consider adding other sources of calcium and vitamin D to their diets. Fortified soy milk was found to be the most similar to cow's milk in terms of nutritional profile.