I like milk. I am not vegan.
But life throws in surprising twists here and there so now I can't consume any dairy because my breastfed infant has milk protein intolerance (it's temporary, yay!). I am ok with soy, but I've found studies that show that consuming too much of it can negatively affect the thyroid, reproductive system and cause allergic reactions in babies, the latter being very common. Plus soy is an ingredient in nearly everything these days, so I did not want to top it of with more soy. So this led to trying rice 'milk'. I loved it from day one and it is so much easier to digest than cow's milk!
Taste: No, it doesn't taste like milk. If it's not milk it is not supposed to taste like it! I prefer the taste of the Rice Drink to soy, almond, and oat milk. It isn't too watery but not as filling as milk, and has a very subtle, unobtrusive taste.
Value: Considering this is organic, the price is right. Compare it to Rice Dream that runs in the $4 range, Trader Joe's makes it more affordable at $2.69 for half a gallon.
Ways I like to Use It:
- Instead of milk in baking
- In smoothies and shakes
- On your favorite cereal
- Chilled by the glassful
- In pancake or waffle batter
- Hot chocolate in cold winter months!
I prefer the original, but it also comes in vanilla flavor. It is not refrigerated, but I like to keep it in the fridge even before I open it. Not all rice milk is actually gluten free, so if you have dietary needs - Trader Joe's Rice Drink is the way to go. Oh, and be sure to shake it really well each time, once I found all the white ricey substance on the bottom of the package after I drank it, all the good stuff left over! Be sure to post any recipes you try with Rice Drink on Lunch :)
