Cow’s milk and oat milk are very different nutritionally, and the idea that oat milk is “healthier” isn’t always accurate. Cow’s milk is a whole food that naturally contains complete protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and fat-soluble vitamins that are already in a form your body absorbs well. It doesn’t need heavy processing to deliver those nutrients.

Most oat milks, on the other hand, are highly processed. They’re largely made from water, refined oats, and added oils—often canola oil—to create a creamy texture. Those oils are included for mouthfeel, not nutrition, and the vitamins and minerals in oat milk are usually added back synthetically after processing. While oat milk can work for people who avoid dairy, it’s not nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk and doesn’t provide the same protein quality or natural nutrient density.