You will find milk lovers defending their cow's milk the same as you will find almond milk lovers defending their choice of milk; the truth is, almond milk and skim milk do have their differences. The differences range from taste to health benefits. In fact, many people are switching from cow's milk to a milk alternative, like almond milk, because of the health benefits associated with almond milk. Cow's milk was once thought of as the best way to get the calcium the body needs, but almond milk also offers calcium.

Almond milk and skim milk are both white with a watery texture. Almond milk and skim milk both offer protein; however, skim milk offers a higher percentage. They both come close in the fat grams that they contain. They both can be used in a baking recipe with very little differences.

Skim milk comes from a cow and almond milk is made with almonds and water. Unlike cow's milk, almond milk is lactose free. This makes it easier to digest in lactose intolerant individuals. A person with allergies to nuts may also have a low tolerance for the lactose in skim milk, and thus may not be able to drink either almond or skim milk. However, it has been reported that there are more people with lactose intolerance then reported cases of allergic reactions to almonds.

Almond milk can be made as fresh as it is needed, and although it tastes better cold, it doesn't require refrigeration like skim milk. Skim milk, even though it has less calories then whole milk, has more calories then almond milk. Almond milk offers the benefit of not having any cholesterol, saturated fat or sodium, while skim milk does have at least 5 mg of cholesterol and 130mg of sodium.

For the raw foods enthusiast, almond milk is the better choice as it doesn't need to be heated or cooked, unlike cow's milk. Taste is everything and almond milk taste nothing like skim milk. Almond milk has a nutty flavor and comes in vanilla flavor too, which has a sweeter taste.

Skim milk is never recommended as a baby formula, as it does not provide enough nutritional value. In the Middle East, almond milk is considered a baby food. It is fast becoming an alternative for babies who don't like the taste of cow's milk here in the states too.

High cholesterol and saturated fats have been linked to heart disease. Almond milk does not contain cholesterol and saturated fats, which makes it a wise alternative to skim milk in people at risk for heart disease.

For diabetics seeking to drink milk, almond milk provides a better choice than skim milk, as skim milk has more carbohydrates. Carbohydrates break down in the body as sugar, which is not a desired outcome for diabetics.