Coconut Milk vs Macadamia Milk: Which Is Better For You?

In this article, we are going to compare coconut milk and macadamia milk to see how they compare in many aspects including calories, nutritional content, taste, usage, effects on weight loss, and environment.

To make this comparison as fair as possible and get a realistic picture of how coconut and macadamia milk compare, we’ve used USDA’s date on products that are unsweetened and that aren’t fortified or that are minimally fortified if the completely unfortified product isn’t available.

Both coconut and macadamia milk are dairy-free, and therefore suitable for vegans and people that stick to a plant-based diet for a variety of reasons, but there are also many differences between these plant-based drinks.

Let’s see what coconut and macadamia drinks are, how they are produced, and finally how they compare in various ways.

After reading this article, feel free to read other non-dairy milk alternative comparisons.

What is Coconut Milk and How It’s Made?

Coconut milk is a type of milk that is used in many recipes and has many lovers of its mild taste.

It might be confusing to call it milk, but coconut milk is derived from coconuts and is plant-based. You can consume coconut milk, which is often preferred by vegans, or you can use it in your recipes.

The amount of calories in coconut milk is quite high.

Fat accounts for about 93% of its calorie content, including saturated fats, often referred to as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).

There has been some research to suggest that the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) included in coconut milk may assist with weight reduction, as well as improve metabolism and body composition.

The richness of coconut milk may be attributed to the nutritious components that are found in coconuts.

What is Macadamia Milk and How It’s Made?

Macadamia milk is another plant-based milk product that has gained popularity in recent years and is appreciated by many individuals.

Sugar-free versions are low-calorie, low-carb, and gluten-free.

It’s also loaded with a host of properties, such as it can support your vitamin D intake, its calcium content is even higher than cow’s milk, and it’s non-GMO.

Unsweetened macadamia milk is keto-friendly. It is one of the milk with the lowest carbohydrate content of all plant milk.

Along with unsweetened pea milk, they contain less than 1 gram of carbohydrates and no sugar at all.

Instead, they’re rich in heart-friendly healthy fats thanks to the composition of macadamia nuts. However, it is worth noting that since they are made into milk, they contain less than 4% macadamia and mostly contain water.

Coconut vs Macadamia Milk Nutrition and Calories

In this section, we’ll analyze the similarities and differences between coconut milk and macadamia milk based on nutritional information provided by USDA.

Macronutrients

Plant-based milks mostly consist of water, and coconut and macadamia milks are no exceptions.

3.5 oz or 100 g of coconut milk contains 150 calories, and consists mostly of fat (15 g), followed by protein (1.25 g) and carbs (1.25 g).

Speaking of macadamia milk, the same amount contains 21 calories, and consists mostly of fat (2.08 g), followed by protein (0.42 g) and carbs (0.42 g).

The table below compares the nutrition of a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) portion of coconut milk to the same amount of macadamia milk.

Fiber

Fiber is important for our health as it keeps us feeling full, prevents constipation, lowers sugar spikes and regulates sugar levels, lowers total and LDL cholesterol, and provides many other benefits.

When it comes to dietary fiber, macadamia milk is a better choice. It contains 0.4 g per 3.5oz (100g), while coconut milk is lower in dietary fiber with 0 g.

Micronutrients

What about micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in coconut and macadamia milk?

The table below shows the most important vitamins and minerals in unfortified or minimally fortified plant-based drinks available in the market. Some of these nutrients are hard to get on a vegan diet.

Weight Loss

If you’re trying to lose weight, you probably want to know whether coconut or macadamia milk is better for you.

With 150 calories per 3.5 oz (100 g), coconut milk is higher in calories than macadamia milk which contains 21 calories.

Coconut vs Macadamia Milk Taste and Uses

Coconut milk comes in different consistencies. It can be unctuous, thick like cake batter with a strong coconut taste, or slightly less viscous with a mild coconut flavor.

Coconut milk has a creamy consistency, and you can use it as a thickener in soups and curries.

The sweet tropical scent of coconut milk is perfect for smoothies. Coconut milk is rich in MCTs. Its high-fat content can add to the moisture of your cakes, brownies, and muffins. Coconut milk can add a tropical taste to vegetable curries and lentil soups.

You can also use coconut milk for your coffee. You can store thick coconut milk in your refrigerator and scoop it out to use it as whipped cream on your desserts. Whipped coconut cream can give your cocktails an exotic touch.

Macadamia milk has a perfect balance of flavor and texture. It is creamy, sweet, and slightly nutty.

Many people may get a vanilla-like aftertaste when using it.

Macadamia milk is the perfect plant-based milk choice for coffee and chai.

It pairs well with both hot and cold drinks. It goes well with iced tea and hot chocolate. Macadamia milk can be poured over any breakfast cereal or used as a base for vegan ice-creams.

You can use macadamia milk as an ingredient when baking cakes and bread. You can also use it to complement vegetable curries.

Conclusion

Coconut milk and macadamia milk are both plant-based, non-dairy beverages, suitable for vegans.

Coconut milk and macadamia milk have their similarities and differences, but both are nutritious and a healthful addition to your diet. When available, always choose unsweetened, fortified products or try making them at home.

Plant milks, including coconut and macadamia milks are easy to add to a diet, and can be used in varieties of recipes and dishes.

Fortified products will help get different nutrients, including micronutrients that are usually hard to get on a plant-based diet, such as vitamin B-12, vitamin D, calcium and others.

If you’re willing to learn more about these non-dairy milks, read our articles about them: Coconut Milk and Macadamia Milk.

Other Coconut Milk Comparisons

• Almond vs Coconut
• Barley vs Coconut
• Cashew vs Coconut
• Coconut vs Oat
• Coconut vs Pea
• Coconut vs Rice
• Coconut vs Soy

Other Macadamia Milk Comparisons

• Almond Milk vs Macadamia Milk
• Barley Milk vs Macadamia Milk
• Cashew Milk vs Macadamia Milk
• Macadamia Milk vs Oat Milk
• Macadamia Milk vs Pea Milk
• Macadamia Milk vs Rice Milk
• Macadamia Milk vs Soy Milk