How does hemp milk compare to dairy milk in terms of taste and nutrition?
Hemp milk is thinner, less sweet and nuttier than dairy milk, with fewer calories and about half the protein or less. Nutrition Advance lists 85 calories and about 3.8 g protein per cup of hemp milk, against about 8 g protein in a cup of cow's milk. Fortified hemp milk can supply calcium, but it has no natural iodine.
Free download
Milk and Dairy Storage Chart (PDF): How long milk, plant milks, cream, yogurt and kefir last, opened and unopened. 23 rows, each with its source.
Thank you
Your chart is ready
We use your email only for this download.Also free:
Home Bar Storage Chart (PDF)Juice, Soda and Water Storage Chart (PDF)Coffee, Tea and Hot Drinks Storage Chart (PDF)Drink Strength, Calories and Units Cheat Sheet (PDF)Want the full pack? About 10 printable sheets: a larger chart for each drink type, a “has it gone off?” checklist, date labels, a party planner and an inventory sheet.
In this article
How do hemp milk and dairy milk taste?
Dairy milk is creamy, lightly sweet and neutral. Hemp milk is mild, smooth and slightly nutty, thinner than whole milk and less sweet, according to Nutrition Advance. Used in coffee or cereal, the nutty note is noticeable.
How do they compare in nutrition?
| Per cup | Hemp milk | Cow’s milk |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 85 (one listing) | About 152 for whole milk (same source) |
| Protein | About 3.8 g | About 8 g (per Healthline) |
| Fat | About 8 g | Depends on type (whole, 2%, skim) |
| Calcium | About 390 mg if fortified | Natural source |
| Iodine | Not a source | Source |
| Lactose | None | Yes |
Numbers vary by brand, so check the carton. These are one source’s figures, not a standard.
What does the difference mean?
- Protein: hemp milk provides about half or less. If milk is a main protein source in your diet, compare with soy or pea milk.
- Calcium: only fortified hemp milk gives it, and unfortified versions lack calcium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
- Iodine: dairy milk is a source; hemp milk is not, according to Nutrition Advance.
- Lactose: hemp milk has none, so it suits lactose intolerance and a dairy-free diet.
- Cost: hemp milk usually costs more.
Who should choose which?
Hemp seeds are not tree nuts, so hemp milk fits vegans and people avoiding dairy who want a seed-based option; if you have a nut allergy, see an allergist first. It is not recommended as a main drink for babies or toddlers unless a doctor or dietitian says so. For children and anyone with specific nutrition needs, ask a health professional before replacing dairy milk. In recipes you can swap it 1:1 for dairy milk, using the unsweetened, unflavored kind.
People also ask
Does hemp milk have as much protein as dairy milk?
No. One source lists about 3.8 g per cup against about 8 g in a cup of cow's milk.
Is hemp milk lactose-free?
Yes. It contains no dairy or lactose.
Is hemp milk a source of calcium?
Only when fortified, for example about 390 mg per cup in one listing. Check the label.
Sources
About · How we verify this · Editorial policy · Corrections
What would help you most next?
One tap. Anonymous. It helps us decide what to build.
Thank you. The free charts above are yours to keep.
