Have your every had pain in your butt or down the leg and you are unsure why? Here are some reasons this may be occurring.
Difference between Piriformis Syndrome & Hamstring Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is pain in the buttock or posterior thigh and calf caused by inflammation of the piriformis muscle.  The piriformis muscle lays on top of the sciatic nerve (in most cases); when tight it pinches the nerve as it exits the pelvis. Most people will complain of pain with walking, trunk rotation and stairs.

Hamstring syndrome is caused when the sciatic nerve becomes trapped by adhesions in the proximal hamstrings (where the hamstring attaches to your bottom). This can cause repetitive strain. It occurs mostly in sprinters. Pain usually occurs with sitting or stretching.

​Lumbar Radiculopathy
Well that is a big word. Lumbar radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when a nerve in the low back is compressed causing pain in the area of the nerve. Lumbar radiculopathy turns into sciatica when the nerve that is being pinched is in the area of L5/S1. There is L1-L5 vertebrae in the low back; the sciatic nerve comes out between L5/S1.
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Think of the nerves in your back as the wires behind your TV. The wires are needed for the TV to turn off, to change the channel and to mute. Like the wires of the TV, the nerves will turn a muscle off, on and move the muscle. If the nerves are not working correctly, the muscle is not going to work. Usually the symptoms are muscle weakness, pain and weakness of a specific area of the legs. With sciatica, this is knee flexion and foot weakness.

4 exercises to reduce butt pain
Prone press ups
 
Prone means lying on your stomach. Most of the time when a nerve is irritated due to a nerve, it is because the disc is bulging posteriorly. When lying prone (or on your stomach), this will push the disc back into place reducing the stress on the nerve.

​Clams
 
People usually use one side of their body more than the other. When this happens the pelvis will be off. The muscles on the side of your pelvis (the gluteus medius) will become weak. This exercise will help to improve the glut medius strength, therefore improving the alignment of your pelvis.
 

​Sciatic nerve flossing
No this isn’t the flossing dance. Although that would probably be more fun. Remember how I said with hamstring syndrome the sciatic nerve will get trapped in the adhesions of the hamstrings. This exercise will help to reduce the adhesions in the muscle and let the sciatic nerve move like it is supposed to.

​Piriformis Stretch
The Piriformis is a muscle in the bottom that goes over the sciatic nerve. When tight it can cause the sciatic nerve to become pinched. This exercise helps to stretch out the piriformis muscle and let the sciatic nerve do its job
 

Things you can do to prevent butt pain
Guys, for the love of god please stop wearing your wallet in your back pocket. This puts pressure on the sciatic nerve
When holding a baby, switch from one hip to another. This will help to keep the pelvis even
Adults need tummy time too. Since we are sitting most of the time, this will cause our back to be in a flexed position, lying on your stomach 20 minutes a day will help to reduce any disc issues in the future
 
For more information on Personal Training, Nutrition & Physical Therapy join the NKFitsquad!

​Last week, we talked about a few foods that can help with hormone dysfunction. But with so many diet fads popping up in your newsfeed, it is hard to wonder if one of the fads would be beneficial. Here are four popular diets and the potential effects they may have on your hormonal health.
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1. Ketogenic Diet
This low-carb plan is intended to put your body into ketosis, which occurs when you restrict glucose and start burning fat as a fuel source. Used medically for children with epilepsy and some oncology patients, this diet breaks down to about 80%-85% fat, 10% protein, and only 5%-10% carbs. While studies suggest that the diet may have health-promoting potential, the protocol restricts carbs so severely that most experts recommend doing it only with medical supervision. No one, whether you wrestle with hormone imbalances or not, should undertake a ketogenic diet lightly or without trusted medical support.

Potential upside: You may lose weight. People who follow a ketogenic diet tend to feel full for a long time after each meal (because fat is so satiating) and this can lead to eating fewer calories overall. It also means most junk food is ditched from your diet because almost all packaged foods have more than the allowed limit of net carbs.

Hormonal downside: You may stress yourself out even more. Some studies suggest that Keto may negatively affect T3 production. The thyroid is one of the master glands of the endocrine system and for optimal hormone health women need optimal thyroid health. The very low number of carbs can put stress on the adrenal system, slowing T3 production. Also, adrenal fatigue is, by definition, a hormone imbalance. 

2. Raw Vegan
Eating an abundance of rainbow colored vegetables and fruits, whether cooked or raw, is a major win for health and hormone balance. But a true raw diet consists only of plant-based foods that haven’t been heated over 104°F -118°F. The diet also dictates that nothing you eat is pasteurized, refined, or processed. Advocates of raw veganism believe cooking food destroys important enzymes and reduces their nutritional content.

Potential upside: You fill up on natural nutrients. Raw fruits and vegetables have more fiber. Also, water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C aren’t cooked out of your lunch, leading to better absorption. An abundance of organic, phytonutrient-rich foods can improve digestion, enhance heart health, reduce inflammation, support cellular health, and have anti-aging benefits. 

Hormonal downside: You miss out of some vital vitamins and minerals. Many vegans develop iron anemia as the best sources of absorbable iron are from animal sources. Some studies have linked strict raw food diet to amenorrhea because of this.  Also, we normally cook out the natural phytic acid in vegetables, which blocks the absorption of vitamins and minerals. We normally add fats to cooked vegetables, which we need to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins D, A, K, and E. On top of this, your gut microbiome may be out of whack due to hormonal imbalance or synthetic birth control, which will also inhibit absorption of these important nutrients in raw foods. Nutrient deficiencies can compromise your entire hormonal system and show up as a host of symptoms, from missing periods to mood issues to weight gain.

3. Grain-free
This diet started with the discovery or Celiac disease. Relative to the Paleo diet, Grain-free cuts out all grasses: wheat, barley, rye, rice, corn, spelt, amaranth, millet, oats, bulger, and buckwheat. This diet allows carbs in the form of quinoa, beans and legumes, potatoes, and root vegetables. 

Potential upside: You may lose weight. Since you cut all grains and replace them with healthy fats, proteins, and complex, phytonutrient-rich carbs, you may lose weight in the short-term. Some people also report a reduction in brain fog and general well-being due to the cut processed trigger foods. 

Hormonal downside: You may experience emotional turmoil. Your body uses carbs to make serotonin, a feel-good hormone. Without it, you’ll initially get mood swings and more frequent drops in blood sugar. This can make you vulnerable to moments of binging carbs, which can lead to blood sugar and insulin spikes. This turbulence in blood sugar and insulin can interfere with ovulation and wreak havoc on metabolism and fat loss.  

4. Intermittent Fasting (IF)
Intermittent fasting is going for short or intermediate periods of time without food. This “not eating” window can be as short as 12 hours and include sleep time, or as long as 16 or 24 hours. Some people try to go 12 or more hours without eating every day. Others try to go 12 or 16 hours without food a couple days a week. Some people don’t eat for a full 24 hours one day each week.

Potential upside: Your body learns to depend on itself. Without the frequent blood sugar spikes from food, your body adjusts the amount of insulin from the pancreas. This keeps your blood sugar stable, which can help your adrenals and thyroid rest. The stabilization of digestive leptin and ghrelin can help you regulate your appetite and moods. Because of this, studies suggest that intermittent fasting may promote weight loss. 

Hormonal downside: Your hormones may retaliate. Without the proper amount of nutrients, you put even more stress on the body as it tries to hold onto the nutrients you’ve already eaten. This will increase cortisol and decrease estrogen. Less estrogen may lead to decreased bone mass, infertility, thyroid dysfunction, and weight gain. If you notice a difference in your period, experience dryer skin or insomnia, or experience dark colored urine, you are cutting too much too quickly. Stop your diet immediately and be sure to schedule a consultation with a Registered Dietitian and/or doctor. 

Bottom Line: These diet trends are new and fun to try. However, everyone has different hormone levels each part of each day. If you struggle with any hormone-related symptoms, including weight loss resistance, severe PMS, irregular or heavy periods, PCOS, fibroids, hormonal acne, or impaired fertility, it’s imperative that you see an endocrinologist and find the best course of action. It is also important to read your body before you jump on the next diet trend bandwagon.

 ​When your reproductive hormones are out of whack, the signs are glaringly obvious.

• Breakouts
• Irregular periods
• Mood swings
• Weight gain

​​These are just a few of the many clear signs that something’s off in the endocrine department.

What's not so straightforward?
How to get things back into harmony. After all, there are almost as many culprits for hormone imbalance as there are symptoms, including your exercise routine, your birth control pills, stress, and—this is a big one—your diet.

Fortunately, changing up your diet can make a big difference in your hormonal health. The first step is to clear your kitchen of inflammatory processed foods and high-sugar snacks, plus meat and dairy from conventionally raised animals that have been injected with antibiotics and growth hormones.

Here are five foods that have shown to be beneficial for hormonal health.

1. Salmon - The protein found in wild-caught salmon can balance your hunger hormones and increase satiety. In addition, salmon provides a hefty dose of healthy fats in the form of omega-3s, which are called essential fatty acids because your body cannot make them. Omega-3s are needed for synthesizing hormones that regulate blood clotting, arterial function, and inflammation. Salmon is known for being heart-healthy, and its ability to tame your body’s inflammatory response can also help control autoimmune diseases including lupus, eczema, and rheumatoid arthritis, and may even protect against cancer and other chronic illness. Salmon is a source of cholesterol, which has gotten a bad rap in the nutrition world. However, cholesterol is necessary for building sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone that tend to decline in middle-age, as well as the “sunshine hormone” vitamin D, which you need to maintain strong bones. Supplementing with fish oil has been shown to reduce the release of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline during stressful situations. 

2. Kale - Kale is an excellent source of fiber, which feeds your good gut bacteria. Research shows that friendly gut flora may play an important part in clearing estrogen from your system and encouraging hormone balance. Fiber also helps to increase insulin sensitivity and feelings of fullness. Dark, leafy greens such as kale are rich in magnesium, which supports healthy levels of estrogen and testosterone. Low hormone levels in both women and men have been linked with an increased risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. On the flipside, cruciferous veggies help your body process and eliminate excess estrogen so you can avoid estrogen dominance and reduce your risk of hormone-dependent cancers such as breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. I am often asked whether cruciferous vegetables are harmful to your thyroid gland because they contain goitrogens (substances that interfere with iodine uptake). However, the benefits of cruciferous veggies far outweigh any risks. As long as you get plenty of iodine from foods or supplements, you can enjoy as many kale salads as you’d like!

3. Grass-fed Beef- Grass-fed, pasture-raised beef is an excellent source of the four nutrients that are essential to thyroid health: iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron. Iodine is one of the major building blocks of thyroid hormone. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of thyroid enlargement, goiter, and hypothyroidism worldwide. Selenium helps convert inactive T4 hormone into active T3. Insufficient amounts of selenium means your thyroid hormones are stuck in their inactive state, leading to hypothyroidism symptoms including brain fog, weight gain, low libido, fatigue, and depression. Eating high-quality food sources of selenium can even help reverse autoimmune thyroid conditions by lowering the levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) in your system. Zinc and iron also play a role in the conversion of T4 to T3. Also, zinc triggers your hypothalamus to increase thyroid hormone production when levels are low, and iron helps the enzyme that converts iodide (the form of iodine you eat) into iodine so it can combine with tyrosine to build thyroid hormones.

4. Cherries - Cherries are a natural source of melatonin–the “sleep hormone” released by your pineal gland. Studies have found that cherries have the ability to increase melatonin levels, total sleep time, and quality of sleep. Cherries also contain other hormone-balancing nutrients including magnesium and vitamin C. Like melatonin, magnesium improves sleep by supporting optimal levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes restful sleep. Magnesium also helps calm the body’s stress response by preventing the release of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Vitamin C is essential for creating and regulating hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Vitamin C can enhance the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and work with estrogen to promote bone growth, which is particularly important for postmenopausal women who are at an increased risk of osteoporosis due to low estrogen.

5. Maca Root - Chronic stress is the type that never lets up, and keeps pumping out cortisol and adrenaline nonstop until your adrenals are shot. Maca root is an adaptogen, meaning it helps your body “adapt” to ongoing stressors by mediating the body’s stress response. When used over time, maca nourishes and enhances the function of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which restores balance to your overworked adrenal glands. Maca also supports healthy thyroid function and bone density, making it an all-around superfood for women struggling with imbalanced hormones. 

Bottom Line: As we get older, our bodies change. Our diet lifestyle should change too. By eating foods that feel good to your body, you will be able to strengthen it by joining the #NKFITSQUAD and stave off aging a little more. Remember, there’s not a one size fits all plan, but these five ingredients are a good place to start, no matter what kind of imbalance you’re dealing with.

​And, as always, you should always seek out your doctor’s advice if diet alone doesn’t start to soothe your symptoms.

Do you ever wonder why Disney didn’t have a dance number in which Quasimodo did the limbo?   This is because there is no way he could have; he presented with severe kyphosis. But before I can describe what kyphosis is and why it wouldn’t let him break out those dance moves, it is important to explain what the thoracic spine is.
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The thoracic spine is the longest region of the spine. It is made up of 12 vertebrae. It is the only spinal region attached to the rib cage. Most of the back’s rotation comes from the thoracic spine with an average of 30-35 deg total to each side. Kyphosis is a curve of the thoracic spine in which it is bent forward. Kyphosis can be caused by degenerative diseases or in most cases poor posture overtime.

So why is it important to keep the thoracic spine so healthy?

My neck, my back, my PAIN just like that 

The thoracic spine is responsible for most of the rotation of your back. If the thoracic spine is hypomobile (decrease in mobility) then the other spinal segments of your cervical and lumbar spines have to make up for it. Because most people lack strength of the deep core, increased rotation can cause low back pain.
 
Every breath you take… 

Remember how I said that the ribs attach to the thoracic spine? Well if the thoracic spine lacks movement, so will the ribs. This will not allow the ribcage to expand like it should. When this happens, people will use accessory muscles for respiration. These muscles are: Sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major and minor, latissimus dorsi. When these muscles are overused, they can cause neck and upper back pain. And you know what else?! The diaphragm attaches to the 11th and 12th ribs. So the diaphragm wont expand well and those deep breaths will be harder to take. Improving your thoracic mobility will actually increase lung capacity!
 
Scaps are Wack

The Shoulder blades or scapulae lay on the rib cage.  When the thoracic spine is in kyphosis, the scapulae will move away from the spine with lack of thoracic mobility. This will make overhead motions with her shoulders painful and hard to do. Hello rotator cuff injury, I am talking about you! The scapula has to glide appropriately on the rib cage when you lift your arm, and if it is not doing this then that it is a sure fire way to cause pain in the shoulder. 
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So you might be wondering what you can do to improve thoracic mobility?

Thread the needle
Start on your side on the floor with your elbow directly underneath your shoulder and feet and knees stacked. Lift your hips up into a side plank with your free arm up toward the ceiling. Take your free arm and thread it through the open space underneath you while you rotate your shoulders and hips toward the floor.

Rib pulls
Lay on floor in a side lying position, flex the top hip to 90 degrees and support the knee with a foam roll and keep the foot on the ground. The head is supported by a towel roll.  Reach under your ribs with the top hand.  Begin rotating your top shoulder to the floor and pull the ribs in the direction you are rotating.  Maintain contact between the knee and the foam roll.  Then return to the starting position by rotating back to a neutral position. 

Thoracic Extension on foam roller
Put the foam roller under your upper back / thoracic spine. Keep your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Place your hands behind your head and pull your elbows as close together as they'll go. Let your head fall to the floor and try to wrap yourself around the foam roller, extending the thoracic spine over the roller. Roll, slowly up and down the vertebrae, pausing on any painful parts (do not roll the neck or lower back, focusing solely on the thoracic spine).

​How can you get more information on exercises for thoracic mobility?
Contact Natalie Kimball Fitness and Join the #NKFitsquad!
 nk@nataliekimballfitness.com

& Drop a like if you found this to be helpful! 

​The low fat craze of our childhoods did not work out for us. We all stopped eating many of our favorite foods thinking they were bad for us and ended up overweight, overly full of refined carbs, and sick. For the first time in 35 years, the USDA and HHS removed the limit on total fat consumption in the American diet (though they still recommend getting less than 10% from saturated fat) in 2015. Evidence clearly shows that eating more foods rich in healthy fats like nuts, oils, and fish have protective effects, particularly for cardiovascular disease. They also help you absorb some vitamins, fill you up so you eat less, and taste good, too.
Here are 9 to enjoy today:

1) Olive Oil - Olive oil is the original healthy fat. A tall body of research finds that it helps lower your risk for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Most recently, Spanish researchers publishing in the journal Molecules reported that the various components of olive oil including oleic acid and secoiridoids slow the aging process. To get the most health benefits, choose extra-virgin olive oil, as it is extracted using natural methods and doesn’t go through as much processing as regular. Research also shows that veggies sautéed in olive oil are also richer in antioxidants than boiled ones—and they taste better too!

2) Fish - You may have heard your mother or grandmother describe fish as "brain food." That’s because fish are brimming with omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain function. Your brain is made up of mostly fat, so you need to consume them in order to stay sharp and healthy. The new Dietary Guidelines recommend eating 8 ounces per week to get healthy amounts of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), all of which feed your brain and fight inflammation and chronic disease. If you're concerned about mercury, choose salmon, anchovies, herring, shad, sardines, Pacific oysters, trout, and Atlantic and Pacific mackerel (not king mackerel), according to the USDA.

3) Avocado – As one of the NKFitSquad, you probably already know how awesome avocadoes are! But they’re more than just Natalie’s favorite food! They also help lower inflammation, which is linked to cardiovascular disease. In a 2014 study, a team of Mexican researchers fed a group of rats too much sugar, which gave them symptoms of metabolic syndrome, including high blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides. They then fed the rats avocado oil, which lowered levels of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol in their blood, while keeping protective good HDL cholesterol levels intact. You also need to consume healthy fats in order for your body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

4) Eggs -  The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines lifted the longstanding limit on cholesterol, as we now know the cholesterol you eat doesn't have that much bearing on the amount of artery-clogging LDL cholesterol floating in your bloodstream, and that saturated fat and genetic makeup are the real driving force behind dangerously high cholesterol. That's good news, since research finds that eating eggs in the morning can help you feel full and satisfied longer, making it easier to resist those pastries in your office pantry. Eggs from hens that are raised on pastures or fed omega-3 enriched feed tend to be higher in omega-3s.

5) Nuts - Nuts are nature's most perfect portable snack. Each handful packs a powerhouse of nutrients including amino acids, vitamin E, and unsaturated fatty acids. In one study in the British Journal of Nutrition, eating a daily one-ounce serving of nuts was associated with a 50% lower incidence of diabetes, a 30% reduction in heart disease, and a nearly 50% lower incidence of stroke. Before you chow down, beware the "candyfication" of nuts. Skip any that say "candied," or "glazed," and make sure there aren't any added ingredients, such as sugar and other vegetable oils. There is no need for oils to be added to nuts because they already have their own!

6) Seeds - Seeds like pumpkin, hemp, flax (grind these in a coffee grinder to release nutrients), chia, and sunflower are rich in monounsaturated fats like omega-3 fatty acids, which suppress inflammation. They're also a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, iron, and magnesium. Pumpkin seeds have been found to be especially helpful for balancing blood sugar.

7) Coconut Oil - Coconut oil used to get a bad rap because its calories come predominantly from saturated fats. Now it's receiving some well-deserved vindication. The main type of saturated fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Coconut oil is also unique from other sources of saturated fats because it contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are metabolized differently—they go straight from the liver to the digestive tract and can then be used up quicker than getting stored. It's also a very stable fat and is great for cooking with high temperatures.

8) Grass-fed Cheese - Cheese has long been regarded as dietary villain that clogs your arteries. However, some studies have found that people who regularly eat cheese have lower risk of high LDL cholesterol and heart disease. Aged cheeses like Parmesan are also a good source of probiotics, which promote healthy digestion and weight. Grass-fed cheese is full of good nutrients like MCT’s, phosphorous, protein, and calcium. It also increases levels of butyric acid in the body, which has been linked to lower obesity risk and a faster metabolism.

9) Dark Chocolate - For years, many of us reserved chocolate for an occasional indulgence. Now we know that a daily chunk of dark chocolate, which is a source of healthy fats, actually protects the heart. Researchers from Louisiana State University reported that when you eat dark chocolate, good gut microbes like Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria feast on it and they grow and ferment it, which produces anti-inflammatory compounds that protect your cardiovascular health. The sweet may also keep you slim. One study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that folks who eat chocolate five times a week have a lower BMI and are about 6 pounds lighter than those who don’t eat any.

Bottom Line: There is no need to avoid fat. Eat what you love and what loves you back. Reach for the organic dark chocolate. Sprinkle extra seeds on your salad and use the full-fat dressing. Bake eggs in avocado and sprinkle with cheese. By shifting your focus away from the fat content on the food label, your brain, gut, skin, and bones will thank you. Avocado toast anyone?

If your local coffee shop’s menu has grown more confusing in the past few years, you’re not alone. Nondairy milk alternatives have expanded to include a wide variety of options (pea milk, anyone?), all of which maintain a healthy reputation. It can be tricky to keep them straight, much less sort out which ones are actually good for you or even worth the price. Don’t assume that all plant-based milks are all created equal; it is best to think of these alternatives as the liquid form of their original food. Whether you’re eating around dietary restrictions or simply looking for a new flavor profile, more protein, or something more natural, here’s what you need to know about the many products labeled as milk:

1. Cow’s Milk

The original cow’s milk is relatively cheap, easy to find, and can be very good for you. It has fat, protein, carbohydrates, calcium, and B vitamins. It covers a lot of our nutrition bases. A cup of whole milk nets just under 150 calories, with 12g of carbs and 8g of protein, so it is a good natural recovery beverage post workout. It also contains around 25% of your recommended calcium and vitamin D intake, plus 10% of recommended potassium.

The presence of both naturally occurring and genetically modified hormones in dairy today has made it a hot topic with many dietitians. All dairy contains small levels of hormones like various estrogens, but organic brands will help you steer clear of GMOs like rBST.
However, across the board, cow’s milk has the most detrimental environmental impact: according to an Oxford review of over 150 studies, a single glass of cow’s milk uses more land and three times the greenhouse-gas emissions of any of the plant-based alternatives.

2. Lactose-Free Milk According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 65% of the human population (and 90% of adults of East Asian ancestry) have a reduced ability to digest lactose, a complex sugar found in milk, after infancy. Lactose-free milk has a nutrition profile similar to regular milk and offers a nice compromise for those who can’t digest the standard milk. Lactose-free milk isn’t made by removing lactose. Instead, manufacturers add the enzyme lactase, which breaks lactose down into easily digested sugars. This enzyme won’t help anyone with a whey or casein allergy though, as these components remain in the milk. It also tastes slightly sweeter than regular milk, since our tongue recognizes simple sugars as sweeter than complex ones.

3. Goat’s Milk Goat’s milk naturally contains less lactose than cow’s milk and is more nutritionally dense, with 168 calories per cup and around 10g each of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamin D, calcium, and potassium. It has a creamier texture which makes it great for lattes and thick sauces. The flavor of goat’s milk can change depending on goat breed and processing, so you may find that some brands taste sweet and mild, while others have a strong, more pungent flavor.

4. Rice Milk Unsweetened rice milk is primarily carbs, with 11g per cup and essentially no protein, making it a no-go for low-carb diets. At 70 calories per cup, it sits between cow’s milk and almond milk on the caloric spectrum, and it contains 25% of your daily calcium requirement.
Often rice milk contains brown rice syrup in addition to just plain rice, which is sugar by another name. I would recommend looking for milk alternatives that aren’t sweetened, and rice milk is a big offender. Check the label for other common additives, like canola oil, tapioca starch, and xanthan gum, used to thicken the texture.

5. Oat Milk Oat milk has grown in popularity in recent years and is very big in lattes now, thanks to its creamier texture. It’s also closer to cow’s milk in terms of caloric content: 120 calories per cup, 16g carbs, and 5g fat into each serving. Oat milk is also fortified with vitamins A, D, and B12, as well as calcium.
6. Hemp Milk This other recently trendy milk alternative has more fat and protein than almond or rice milk, with 4.7g protein and 7.3g fat (in the form of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) per 83-calorie serving. Unlike many plant-based options, it contains all 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.

Like other alternatives, it’s fortified with sugars, thickeners, and vitamins A, B12, and D to mimic cow’s milk. Overall, this is a nutritional all-star.

7. Almond Milk Almond milk is great if you’re looking for a traditional milk flavor and texture with fewer calories. A serving of unsweetened almond milk is around 40 calories.
Almonds themselves have a high content of monounsaturated fatty acids that are considered helpful for weight loss, and marketing for almond milk can give the impression that each bottle is packed with almonds. But a lawsuit against Silk (one of the largest milk-alternative brands) in 2015 alleged that each bottle contained less than 2% almonds. The environmental impact is also worth noting: 80% of nuts used in almond milk are grown in drought-prone California, yet it takes over a gallon of water to produce a single almond.

8. Cashew Milk Like almond milk, unsweetened versions of cashew milk are low on macronutrients. So if you’re mainly trying to reduce overall daily caloric intake, swapping whole milk for a nut milk might be a place to start, but for an athlete looking to fuel performance, cashew milk comes up short. Compared to almond milk, cashew milk is slightly creamier, but a one cup serving is a mere 25 calories and less than 1g of both protein and carbs.

9. Soy Milk A 2018 study that compared plant-based milk alternatives found soy to have the most balanced nutritional profile of the bunch. Soy milk has 80 calories per cup, with 4g fat, 7g protein, and 3g carbs, making it similar in protein and fat to a glass of 2% milk. Silk also fortifies its soy milk with vitamins A, D2, and B12, and adds gellan gum to make it thicker.

10. Coconut Milk Coconut milk used to come exclusively in a can, and more often in curry than a latte. But now, more processed, drinkable forms of coconut milk are sold in cartons by the gallon, with a texture similar to almond milk. Both varieties are higher in fat and potassium and lower in protein than other milks. The caloric difference between a cup of canned coconut milk versus a cup of coconut milk is noteworthy: a cup of canned milk has 445 calories with 48g fat, while the carton milk has a mere 45 calories and 4.5 fat. Both offer a full daily dose of vitamin B.

10. Pea Milk Pea milk is derived from pea protein and offers a similar amount of protein and fat as regular whole milk 8g protein and 4g fat. It is higher in carbs, racking up 15g per cup. Pea milk has twice the amount of calcium of cow’s milk—as well as potassium.  Most brands making pea milk boost it with additives like sunflower and algal oils, which offer a smooth texture and additional nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. 
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Bottom Line: Get in touch with your own individual body. While cow's milk is inflammatory for many people, nuts and seed milks are some of the most prevalent allergens too. Also, carb-heavy milks such as oat milk could be inflammatory if you've been consistent on a low-carb eating plan. This shows that every body will react differently to each milk. Choose a milk that both your taste buds and body enjoy the most.