An Alternative Alternative! (Provamel Rice)

Member Name: rachelew

Product:	Provamel Rice
Date:	25/06/09 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, dairy free

Disadvantages: An acquired taste, not very appetising to look at

Provamel rice is a dairy milk alternative made from a blend of water and rice with added vitamins and calcium. We use this and soya milk in our house as my husband has problems with dairy products, they make his eczema flare up badly. Although I am able to tolerate dairy products, I often use his rice and soya milks as they are in the fridge...usually when I have run out of cow's milk though!

As with all milk alternatives, please don't try this expecting it to be just like using cow's milk. It can be used for cooking and in hot drinks, but you will get a different result. You must always allow tea or coffee to cool slightly before adding Provamel Rice as it tends to separate and turn nasty if you don't. In our house we mostly use it for pouring over cereal which is fine.

So, what is it actually like? Well, firstly it's not as white in colour as the picture on the box would have you believe! It's slightly grey looking and quite watery. It tastes quite sweet and like a watery version of rice pudding. I know this description isn't exactly selling it to you, but it's one of those things you have to try and get used to if you are changing over from dairy to non-dairy products.

Many people use rice milk instead of soya as there have been some health risks implicated with the intake of soya on a regular basis, allegedly it can affect hormones and your thyroid gland. I actually prefer the taste of soya milk, but I know plenty of people who prefer rice products. I really think you have to try these things out for a while.

Provamel Rice is packaged in a cardboard carton with a re-sealable clip down lid. A 1 litre carton costs around £1.40. It is low in saturated fat, lactose free, dairy free (obviously) and the added calcium and vitamins means you aren't missing out nutritionally if you are cutting out cow's milk. It is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.

A good dairy alternative, but a bit of an acquired taste.

Summary: The only way you will know is to try it.