ask: Which one should I be drinking: soy milk, rice milk or cow's milk?

Though I am not an expert, I know something about this as I have always had a strong aversion to cow's milk and have researched to find out why. Basically, we should NOT be drinking the milk of another animal. Once we are past weaning(mother's milk) we should not have animal milk in our diets at all. Many people have a problem digesting it and it can also actually create calcium deficiencies in later life as the protein in animal products can cause the body to eliminate calcium. Also, it is more fattening. Another thing is that it is mucous forming.
I haven't had any cow milk in my diet for thirty odd years and people remark that I have the skin of a teenager and I am thirty eight.
You are best to get your calcium from green leafy vegetables, like kale and brocolli, etc.

Soy is high in estrogen and in this county the beans are often genetically modified. It is better than cow milk but in moderation. It is high in protein but can also be high in fat.

I have recently read that rice milk is the best as long as it's organic,contains non gentically modified rice and doesn't have added sugars. Rice milk is lower in calories than soy and cow milk. It is also lower in protein but if you are getting lots of protein from healthy fish, beans and lentils, you should be fine. Try Trader Joe's Rice-Um". It is lower in price and has very little fat, but 30% calcium and Vitamin D. Also "Naturally Preferred Rice Milk" has added acidophilus.

Just to add to the confusion, there is also almond milk!

However, seeing as I actually have all three of these different types of milk in my refrigerator or pantry, I thought I would do my own investigation. Using a standard serving size of 1 cup (8 fl. oz.), with all three being fortified/enriched with vitamins and calcium, as well as organic): unsweetened/plain soymilk, non-flavored rice milk and fat free organic cow's milk, here is my experience:

My scale:
("++" = excellent; "+" = good; "-" = ok; "--" = poor)

Soymilk
++ protein (7 grams)
++ cholesterol (0 grams)
++ carbs (4 grams)
+ shelf life
++ 100% vegan
+ calories (80 calories)
Bottom line: Good for protein and cholesterol.

Cow's milk
++ protein (8 grams)
- cholesterol (only 5 grams, but others have zero)
+ carbs (12 grams)
+ shelf life not good, unless buy powdered form
++ whole milk for infants and toddlers; contains fat needed for their developing brains
+ calories (80 calories)
Bottom line: Good for protein. Others are slightly better if watching cholesterol.

Rice milk
-- carbs/sugar (has 23 grams; double of others)
++ cholesterol (0 grams)
++ shelf life (up to one year, no refrigeration)
++ 100% vegan
- calories (120 calories)
Bottom line: avoid if watching carbs/sugar and calories. Good to have on hand in pantry. Good if watching cholesterol

So, if you are not vegan, have no lactose intolerance, then it depends on taste and what you are needing in your diet, whether you are needing more protein (cow's milk and soymilk), or are watching calories/carbs (avoid rice milk).

Here's an interesting article that breaks down some of the differences between soy and cow's milk, as well as a bit of information on which is easier on the environment:

http://www.slate.com/id/2195690/

Some things covered in the article: the sources of protein and calcium, dairy production vs. soy production, and how much greenhouse gases are produced by each. It is a side issue to your question of which is better for you (and the article doesn't deal with rice milk), but in an age where we're constantly conscious of our effect on the planet, it's nice that the information's out there.

I recently began seeing an MD for nutritional counseling, and learned, to my great surprise, that many people, including myself, are allergic to the proteins in cow's milk. For me, this explains a lifetime of often severe "IBS-like" symptoms. I'm sure this type of allergy isn't widely understood because the American Dairy Council does not want us to know about it. Also, I think many people, including some doctors, confuse the protein allergy with lactose intolerance. It's completely different -- protein is protein and lactose is a sugar. That means I can safely digest goat and sheep milk, even though these milk products also contain lactose. I also consulted a naturopath who told me that rice milk products are OK, but soy and all types of animal milk products are verboten. I try not to consume too many goat/sheep products, but it sure is nice to have some really delicious cheese to put on my pasta now and then.

I developed a very strong aversion to drinking milk when I breastfed my children. I used to drink a couple of glasses of skim milk every day and now can't even look at a glass of milk, although I can stomach it in a derived product like cheese and I have no problem eating chocolate (no problem at all!).

I also had a huge aversion to pumping my own breastmilk and on rare occasions where it was absolutely necessary (I'd be away from my child for 3 hours) I had to pump with my eyes closed. It reminded me of cows and I couldn't stand it!

This milk aversion never happened until I nursed all three of my kids and the aversion has never left, even though my youngest self-weaned at a year old and she is now two. Weird, eh?

I have light soy milk and when that is not easily available, non fat cows milk every morning with my high fiber cereal, freshly ground flax seed and fresh fruit. I assume those of you who don't want anything resembling milk aren't eating cold cereal. I feel great and my skin, hair etc is in good shape.

There are a lot of very interesting statements being made in this discussion. I would love to see some input on this topic from the medical and nutritional experts on this site.

The following article outlines the difference between Raw milk from cows eating their natural diet of grass and the milk from a modern dairy farm that is highly processed; suggesting that it's no wonder many people are allergic to milk from such unnatural sources. It is my speculation that many people who are allergic to milk are allergic to the latter and not the former.

http://westonaprice.org/transition/dairy.html