Soy Milk vs. Cow's Milk: Differences, Nutrition & Uses

Despite their similarities in appearance and uses as a beverage, regular cow's milk and soy milk are quite different. While soy milk is often used as a replacement for cow's milk for vegan diets, the two drinks are different enough that many individuals enjoy both outside of dietary restraints.

Identification

• The primary difference between soy milk and regular milk is how they are made. Regular milk in the store comes from the mammary glands of a cow; soy milk is made from soybeans that are soaked in water and ground up.

Benefits

• Both milk products are high in protein, which is necessary for muscle growth and repair. Regular milk is also a good source of calcium and vitamin C; soy milk, in contrast, is not high in these two nutrients, but is a good source of vitamin E and has less saturated fat than soy milk.

Uses

• Both soy milk and regular cow's milk are used as drinks or in breakfast cereal. Cow's milk can be coagulated to make cheese, while soy milk can be coagulated to make tofu. Soy milk can also be used as a replacement in recipes that call for milk as an ingredient.