Why I’m NEVER ingesting oat milk as a nutritionist

Oat milk may be the go-to dairy alternative for countless Australians, but one leading nutritionist has issued a warning: it’s not as healthy as you think.

Sally O’Neil, from Sydney, has called out the popular plant-based milk, claiming that a single cup can pack the same amount of carbohydrates as four slices of white bread – a shocking fact for those who assumed it was a low-carb option.

‘Spoiler alert: oat milk is not a healthy alternative,’ she wrote, explaining that the processing method involves industrial enzymes breaking down oats into a slurry that’s ‘anything but natural’.

But the problems don’t stop there.

While some brands are healthier than others, many add vegetable oils to create a creamy texture.

O’Neil warns these can become rancid quickly, potentially contributing to inflammation in the body.

She also says the manufacturing process strips oats of their natural nutrients, meaning many brands must artificially fortify their products.

Worse still, some contain up to 16g of added sugar per serving – which is the same as four teaspoons.

Sally O’Neil [pictured], from Sydney, has called out oat milk, revealing that a single cup can pack the same amount of carbohydrates as four slices of white bread

For those with sensitive stomachs, oat milk could also be a nightmare.

The thickeners and stabilisers used to keep it shelf-stable can cause digestive issues.

Even if you opt for an organic brand without additives, O’Neil argues it’s still a processed carbohydrate-heavy beverage that’s naturally high in sugar.

Instead, she recommends unsweetened almond milk for a lower-carb alternative or organic whole milk for those who tolerate dairy.

Her warning has already sparked panic among oat milk lovers.

‘Yikes, I drink a gallon of this stuff a day!’ one shocked commenter wrote.

‘I just can’t stand the taste of milk and it makes me feel sick,’ another dejected Aussie revealed.

With oat milk’s health halo now under scrutiny, Australians may need to rethink their café orders.

Oat milk may be the go-to dairy alternative for countless Australians, but one leading nutritionist has issued a warning: it’s not as healthy as you think

What about other milk alternatives?

It’s not just oat milk in the spotlight – coconut milk, which is often used in frothy hot milk drinks, is high in saturated fat and can cause cholesterol levels to spike, experts warn.

Just one cup of coconut milk makes up almost a quarter of the average adult’s daily saturated fat intake.

‘While coconut milk sold in a carton in the milk aisle is a more diluted product than the type of canned coconut milk used for cooking, it still can contain more fat than some other milk alternatives and is fairly low in protein,’ revealed nutritionist Clarissa Lenherr.

While a cup of skimmed milk contains roughly 8g of protein, the same amount of coconut milk contains none.

‘Coconut milk can sometimes contain gums that are used as thickeners, and if not, many brands add rice milk to it, so always check the labels,’ Ms Lenherr added.

Many plant-based milks that are claimed to have no added sugar still contain rice milk as a sweetener.

Like sugar, however, rice milk has a high glycaemic index and carbohydrate content, which can impact blood sugar levels.

Rice milk is also not recommended for children under the age of five due to the small levels of arsenic it contains.