9. A2
A2’s products claim to be easier to digest than other milks on the market. The brand only milks cows that produce milk containing A2 β-casein. This protein is less common than the blend of both A1 and A2 β-caseins that is found in most milks.
Several scientific studies have demonstrated that drinking milk that only contains A2 β-casein results in significantly less gastrointestinal stress — including one published in the journal Nutrients – when compared with conventional A1 and A2 β-casein containing milk. Other critical reviews disagree.
The colloquial evidence is also split. Some reviewers state the milk had no effect. But others, such as this Amazon reviewer, claimed life-changing effects: “Incredible! I have considered myself lactose intolerant for years … it was actually my husband who found fresh A2 milk at our local Whole Foods store a few weeks back. It not only did not cause me stomach distress, but now we both drink it because we think the taste is far superior to the standard milk available in this country.”
A2 sells both grass-fed whole milk and grass-fed 2% milk. All cows that produce milk for grass-fed products are on pasture every day of the year. The milk is also certified regenerative by A Greener World, an animal welfare group also known as AGW. Finally, all A2 cows, whether they produce milk for the regular or grass-fed range, are Validus certified. This means all cows undergo a rigorous inspection to ensure animal welfare is up to scratch.
10. Stonyfield Organic
Stonyfield Organic has been a purveyor of organic dairy products – most famously yogurt — for decades. All of Stonyfield Organic’s milk products are certified organic by USDA, meaning they are made without the use of artificial flavors, toxic pesticides, artificial hormones, and antibiotics. Unfortunately, being organic doesn’t come cheap; a half gallon of Stonyfield Organic whole milk costs around $5.
One drawback of the milk is that it is not 100% grass-fed. Fortunately, this does not impact the flavor too much as one customer highlighted on Influenster: “Great milk that we love for the taste and also because it’s organic, I wish it was also grass fed but it’s great for our daughters babas & in cereal! Also drink it in coffee sometimes if we run out of half & half. All around it’s a great option!”
One area where Stonyfield Organic really excels is championing organic, sustainable farming practices. This is an integral part of the brand. Stonyfield Organic even runs initiatives that help other commercial farms transition to organic practices.