Save a lot almond milk

While almond milk offers numerous advantages, it also has certain drawbacks to consider.

Lacks protein

Almond milk has only 1 gram of protein per cup (240 ml), compared to 8 and 7 grams in cow’s and soy milk, respectively (16, 17).

Protein is required for a variety of body processes, including muscular growth, skin and bone construction, and the generation of enzymes and hormones (18, 19, 20).

Beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, and hemp seeds are among the high-protein dairy-free and plant-based foods.

If you don’t mind eating animal products, eggs, fish, poultry, and beef are all good sources of protein (21).

Unsuitable for infants

Cow’s or plant-based milks should not be given to children under the age of one year because they can inhibit iron absorption. Until 46 months of age, breastfeed or use infant formula exclusively until solid meals can be introduced (22).

Offer water as a nutritious beverage option in addition to breast milk or formula at 6 months of age. Cow’s milk can be given to your infant’s diet after the age of one (22).

Plant-based drinks, with the exception of soy milk, are inherently low in protein, fat, calories, and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron, vitamin D, and calcium. These nutrients are necessary for development and growth (23, 24).

Almond milk has only 39 calories per cup, 3 grams of fat, and 1 gram of protein (240 ml). This is insufficient for a developing infant (5, 24).

Continue to breastfeed or see your doctor for the best nondairy formula if you don’t want your kid to swallow cow’s milk (23).

May contain additives

Sugar, salt, gums, tastes, and lecithin and carrageenan can all be included in processed almond milk (types of emulsifiers).

Texture and consistency are achieved by the use of emulsifiers and gums. Unless ingested in really large quantities, they are harmless (25).

Despite this, a test-tube study indicated that carrageenan, which is often used as an emulsifier in almond milk and is generally considered harmless, may disturb intestinal health. Before any judgments can be drawn, however, further thorough research is required (26).

Despite these issues, many companies avoid using this ingredient entirely.

Furthermore, many flavored and sweetened almond milks include a lot of sugar. Sugar consumption can lead to weight gain, tooth problems, and other chronic illnesses (13, 14, 27).

Almond milk is low in protein, lipids, and nutrients necessary for an infant’s growth and development. Furthermore, many processed kinds contain sugar, salt, flavors, gums, and carrageenan, among other things.

Is almond milk a healthier option?

Vitamin E, an important antioxidant, is abundant in almond milk. Vitamin E can aid in the prevention of significant health problems such as stroke, heart disease, and even cancer.

Enriched almond milk, depending on the brand, can also be a good source of:

Some critical nutrients found in other types of milk, such as vitamin D and protein, are not naturally present in almond milk. Many almond milk manufacturers sweeten it with sugar.

Look for unsweetened almond milk that has been fortified with elements like phosphorous, which helps with energy levels and bone health, and vitamin D to obtain the maximum nutritional benefit.

Is it safe to consume almond milk on a regular basis?

Some minerals in almond milk are not absorbed as well as they are in milk. This is mainly due to the presence of phytic acid, an antinutrient that inhibits iron, zinc, and magnesium absorption (4, 5, 6).

Almond milk is not acceptable as a milk substitute for infants since it is deficient in several nutrients.

Almond milk is naturally high in a variety of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin E.

It is low in calories

Despite the fact that almonds are high in fat and calories, commercial almond milk is a low-calorie beverage (1, 2).

This implies you may consume a large amount of it without gaining weight. It also has a high nutritional value in relation to its calorie content.

Almond milk is made by diluting it with water to get a fat content equivalent to that of low-fat milk, which is roughly 1% fat.

A cup of almond milk has 39 calories, which is half as many as a cup of skim milk.

However, not all almond milks are created equal. Depending on how many almonds are in each cup, homemade almond milk and select brands may have a substantially higher calorie count.

Furthermore, some products have added sugar, which people should avoid if they want to get the most out of their health.

Bottom line: Almond milk prepared in a factory may have less calories than skim milk. However, this may not apply to all brands, so read the nutrition labels carefully.

Unsweetened almond milk doesn’t raise blood sugar

Sugar-free almond milk, on the other hand, is a low-carb beverage with fewer than 2% carbs in 1 cup, or 3.43 g of carbs (2).

Low-fat cow’s milk, on the other hand, has a carb content of 5%, or 12 g per cup (3).

In comparison to its glucose level, almond milk is also heavy in fat and protein. As a result, it does not induce a surge in blood sugar levels, making it acceptable for diabetics and those on a low-carb diet.

However, study the ingredient lists carefully and choose items that are as natural as possible.

Bottom line: Almond milk is a low-carb beverage that is ideal for those on a low-carb diet or who need to keep their blood sugar levels in check.

It is dairy-free

Almond milk is a fantastic alternative for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk because it includes no cow’s milk or other animal ingredients.

Many people are lactose intolerant, meaning they can’t entirely digest it. Undigested lactose goes down to the colon, where it is fermented by the indigenous bacteria, causing excessive gas, bloating, diarrhea, and other unpleasant symptoms.

Because almond milk is dairy-free, it contains no lactose, making it a good milk substitute for lactose-intolerant persons.

Bottom line: Almond milk is a dairy-free substitute for vegans and anyone with lactose intolerance or milk allergy because it is an imitation milk that contains no dairy.

Enriched almond milk may strengthen your bones

Calcium is found in the highest concentration in dairy products. Almonds, on the other hand, are a poor provider of this vitamin.

Calcium is commonly added to almond milk to make it more akin to genuine milk. Depending on the type and brand of commercial almond milk, a cup may provide 37 percent or more of your daily need.

A cup of cow’s milk, on the other hand, may contain up to 23 percent of your daily calcium need, depending on the type and brand.

As a result, fortified almond milk is a good source of calcium for people who don’t eat dairy, such as vegans and those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk.

Calcium is necessary for the formation and maintenance of bones. As a result, consuming enough calcium lowers the risk of osteoporosis, a disorder marked by weak bones and fractures (7).

Bottom line: Almond milk is frequently fortified with calcium, making it a good source of the mineral. Those who do not consume dairy products may minimize their risk of osteoporosis by drinking enhanced almond milk on a regular basis.

It may reduce the risk of heart disease

Regular eating of nuts has been related to a lower risk of heart disease in observational studies. This is mainly due to their high content of beneficial fats (8).

Almond oil’s major fatty acid, oleic acid, has been associated to positive changes in blood lipids in studies (9).

In one study, healthy adults who consumed 66 grams of almonds or almond oil daily for six weeks saw their levels of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, drop “Cholesterol was lowered by 6%, and triglycerides were reduced by 14%. It also improved their HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol “It’s a wonderful thing,” cholesterol by 6% (10).

These positive alterations in blood lipid profiles have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease (11).

Although fat accounts for around half of the calories in almond milk, it is a low-fat product that is unlikely to have a substantial impact on your blood lipid profile.

Many of the health advantages of almonds are attributed to vitamin E, as well as bioactive plant chemicals such as polyphenols, according to nutritionists. These substances are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, which are beneficial to heart health (12).

Almond milk is strong in vitamin E and includes healthy fats, so it’s a good choice. It may be beneficial to your heart if you drink it on a regular basis.

Enriched almond milk is high in vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency affects a large number of people. Brittle bones, tiredness, and weak muscles are more likely as a result of this (13).

In the human diet, there are few good sources of vitamin D. As a result, adding vitamin D to particular foods is a typical public-health practice. This is especially true with dairy products.

Almond milk, like ordinary milk, is frequently fortified with vitamin D. The amount of vitamin D in each product varies. One cup of almond milk, for example, may contain 2.62 micrograms, or 13% of your daily value. A cup of vitamin-fortified cow’s milk has a same amount of vitamins (2).

As a result, fortified almond milk is a good source of vitamin D that, if consumed frequently, can help prevent insufficiency.

Bottom line: Almond milk is frequently fortified with vitamin D, and drinking it on a regular basis may help avoid vitamin D insufficiency.

How much does almond milk cost?

That is the question that the alternative milk business is trying to answer. According to new data issued this week by The Good Food Institute and the Plant-Based Foods Association, sales of plant-based variations have increased by 6% in the last year, accounting for 13% of the whole milk category.

Meanwhile, sales of cow’s milk have decreased by 3%, according to the research.

Consumers are switching for health reasons, dairy intolerance, ethical concerns about animal maltreatment in modern dairy farming practices or simply because they want another option to dairy, even if it costs more, according to industry experts.

According to the NPD group, more than one in ten customers (11%) are aiming to eat less dairy.

According to a price check by FreshDirect, the plant-based market’s largest drivers, almond milk and soy milk, cost over double at $4.29 a half-gallon (64-ounces) apiece, compared to $2.17 for ordinary dairy milk. Oat milk costs roughly 2.5 times as much as dairy milk, at $5.29 every half gallon.

According to Seifer, almond milk is the most important driver in the plant-based sector, with soy milk coming in second. Other new varieties, such as oat milk, coconut, cashew, or rice milk, are also gaining popularity, though they’re mostly used in coffee to replicate the creamy feel of milk, smoothies, or cereal, according to him.

“In comparison to dairy milk, they’re rarely used for simply a glass of milk on their own,” Seifer remarked.

Some people are willing to pay a lot of money for non-dairy milks, especially oat milk. When Oatly, a Swedish oat milk company, sold out of its Barista Edition Oatmilk variant in December, one Amazon seller offered a 12-pack of the milk cartons for $226 (a 32-ounce carton costs $4.99).

To meet up with increased demand outside of dairy, even coffee establishments have begun expanding their milk selections. Blue Bottle Coffee, based in California, offers oat and almond milk in addition to its standard dairy options.

“Our data shows a definite movement away from dairy milk and toward non-dairy alternatives such as almond and oat milk,” said Michael Phillips, director of coffee culture at Blue Bottle, who added that oat milk was first offered to cafes in 2017.

Plant-based yogurt has increased by 39 percent, while regular yogurt has fallen by 3%; plant-based cheese has expanded by 19 percent, while conventional cheese has remained flat; and plant-based ice cream has grown by 27 percent, while traditional dairy ice cream has grown by just 1%.

Furthermore, plant-based food sales have increased by 11% in the last year, putting the overall plant-based market at $4.5 billion, up from $3.3 billion last year.

In the meantime, the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a dairy marketing cooperative, reported a $1.1 billion drop in sales in 2018. In 2018, net sales were $13.6 billion, compared to $14.7 billion in 2017. Executives in the dairy business believe the milk beverage segment is competitive, and the dairy market as a whole is growing.

When it comes to feeding nut milks to babies, new parents should proceed with caution. Breast milk or soy-based infant formula are recommended for babies under the age of one year old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Almond milk is not a suitable substitute for newborn formula.

When a toddler is over 12 months old, though, he or she can sip almond milk in between meals, according to Medical News Today.

When selecting for the best milk for your diet, keep the following elements in mind: nutritional value, intolerances, and flavor profile:

A fiber-rich boost and frothy foam to add to your latte

With two grams of fiber per cup, oat milk offers more fiber than other alternative milks and is thought to help decrease cholesterol. According to coffee experts, the softly sweet, somewhat nut-tasting milk is also ideal for latte foam.

“In steamed milk drinks, oat milk is popular because it replicates the velvety smoothness of dairy milk. It’s best for lattes and a popular among guests with nut allergies who can’t drink almond milk,” Phillips added.

To pair with cereal or add flavor to coffee and smoothies

Peanut-flavored milk may appeal to those without a peanut allergy who want to add a little flavor to plain cereals or brighten up a cup of coffee. Elmhurst Plant-Based Milks made headlines earlier this year when it introduced a milk made from crushed peanuts, filtered water, cane sugar for sweetness, salt, and natural flavors.

Consumers are most likely to try flavored milks, such as peanut, with cereal or in blended beverages, such as smoothies, according to Seifer.

Cow’s milk has more protein than a hard-boiled egg

Cow’s milk has a high nutritional profile, with eight grams of protein per cup, more protein than a hard-boiled egg, and is high in bone-building calcium. Those that aren’t fat-free, however, have more saturated fats and calories.

According to a study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, soy milk has the same amount of protein as cow’s milk. Soy milk with added sugar has a taste that is less like beans and more like the creamy rich texture of milk.

Is it possible to freeze almond milk?

Yes, almond milk can be frozen, and it keeps its optimum quality for around 6 months. Unfortunately, even if you blend it, thawed almond milk separates and tastes awful when consumed. However, it can be used in both cooked and baked recipes.

What kind of milk is the healthiest to drink?

Hemp milk is prepared from crushed, soaked hemp seeds that are free of the psychotropic ingredient found in Cannabis sativa plants.

Protein and omega-3 and omega-6 unsaturated fats are abundant in the seeds. As a result, hemp milk has a somewhat higher concentration of these nutrients than other plant milks.

Although hemp milk is almost carb-free, some brands include sweets, which raise the carb count. Make sure to read the ingredient label and get hemp or any other plant milk that hasn’t been sweetened.

On the ingredient label, sugar may be described as brown rice syrup, evaporated cane juice, or cane sugar.

The seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant are used to make hemp milk. While the drink isn’t psychotropic, it does include more healthful fats and protein than other plant milks.

Who says almond milk isn’t good for you?

Allergies to milk are number five. If consumed in excess, almond milk might cause negative effects in people who are lactose intolerant. Such people may experience adverse reactions after ingesting almond milk, thus they should avoid it entirely.

What’s the big deal about almond milk?

The Mic Network reports that “Almond milk, the ever-popular soy-free, dairy-free, vegan-friendly milk alternative now found in chic eateries and coffee shops everywhere, is destroying the earth.”

According to a Fortune Magazine article, almond milk has grown in popularity as a dairy-free alternative for vegans and lactose-intolerant coffee drinkers alike in recent years, becoming more popular than other non-dairy milks. The market for almond milk grew by 250 percent between 2010 and 2015.

When compared to dairy milk, many consumers choose almond milk since it has a lower carbon footprint. However, almond milk has a negative impact on the environment in other ways, which may surprise you. The main concerns with almond milk production are water use and pesticide use, both of which may have long-term environmental consequences in drought-stricken California, which produces more than 80% of the world’s almonds.

Commercial almond farming in California necessitates irrigation with ground and surface water diverted from the state’s aqueduct system. According to a New York Times report, it takes around 15 gallons of water to produce 16 almonds, making almonds one of the state’s most water-intensive crops. Almond milk’s reputation as a healthy alternative has been questioned by critics who argue that the nutritional benefits do not outweigh the amounts of water required to cultivate almonds.

Given that California produces more than two billion almonds, it’s simple to see why the amount of water diverted for this purpose is significant enough to be concerning. And, because many almonds are cultivated on land that has been converted from natural areas or farms cultivating low-water crops to fulfill the expanding demand for almonds, the increased irrigation needs have been significant.

Forbes reports that “Almond farms have been established on 23,000 acres of natural land. 16,000 acres of the area had previously been categorized as wetlands. In addition, some agricultural land has been turned to almonds from lower-water crops.”

Because the ground in the San Joaquin Valley, where most almonds are grown, is already sinking due to groundwater depletion, the additional wells farmers are digging to irrigate new orchards could have long-term consequences for California and its residents who rely on groundwater for drinking water.

Pesticide use in commercial almond production has been known to contaminate already scarce water supplies and contribute to the toxification of drinking water for people in California’s farming areas, exacerbating the problem. The USDA Pesticide Data Program has identified residues of nine distinct pesticides on almonds, five of which are hazardous to honey bees, according to the Pesticide Action Network, creating another another environmental threat.

A final point to consider is that certain store-bought almond milk brands contain carrageenan, a stabilizer and thickening chemical that has been linked to gastric issues.

According to the California Almond Board, the almond industry is working to promote sustainable water usage and boost water efficiency, so there are some solutions in the works. And, while just a few million almonds are currently certified organic, more farmers are opting to go this route, resulting in a rise in certified organic almond products on the market.

• Think about your possibilities. You might alternate between several non-dairy milks, as each has its own set of perks and drawbacks. Goat and sheep milk are nutrient-dense and less allergic alternatives to cow’s milk.
• Make your own version. If almond milk is a must-have in your life, try making it at home with organic almonds. At the very least, you’ll be able to manage how much water is used in the milk-making process, resulting in a purer product.
• Purchase organically certified products. Pesticides aren’t used in certified organic almond milk, and there’s often less water used as well. When shopping, pick this option. Inquire if the caf uses certified organic products, and if not, propose they do so.
• Carrageenan-containing brands should be avoided. When purchasing almond milk, read the label carefully and avoid types that contain carrageenan.

Does almond milk cause weight gain?

Sweetened almond milk provides certain health benefits, but there are a few things to remember:

Protein content is low. The protein content of sweetened almond milk is lower than that of soy milk or cow’s milk. Each 8-ounce serving contains 1 gram of protein. If you switch to almond milk, be sure you’re receiving adequate protein from other sources.

Calorie content is higher. Sweetened almond milk is higher in sugar and calories than unsweetened almond milk. Drinking too much sweetened almond milk (or other sweetened beverage) can make you gain weight.

Not suited for children under the age of three. Protein levels in sweetened almond milk are minimal. It is not suggested for babies under the age of one year.

Almond milk that has not been sweetened is healthier than almond milk that has been sweetened. Enjoy sweetened almond milk in moderation if you desire it.