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Choosing a Healthy Almond Milk

Choosing a Healthy Almond Milk

Almond milk is the most popular non-dairy milk sold in the US.(1)  While almond milk is a good low-carbohydrate plant-based milk alternative, is it really a healthy choice?

Whether labeled Almond Milk, Almondmilk, Almond Plant Based Beverage, or Almond Non-Dairy Beverage you have, no doubt, seen many almond-based beverage options at your local grocery store and favorite coffee shop.

This comprehensive guide details what to look for and what to avoid when choosing a healthy almond-based beverage.

Healthy Almond Milks:

  • Contain many almonds
  • Minimize added sugars
  • Avoid gums and other thickeners
  • Are free of carrageenan
  • Avoid lecithin
  • Have minimal sodium

Water will always be the first ingredient in a non-dairy milk.  The second, and preferably only other ingredient is almonds.  However, most commercially available almond milks have long ingredient lists. 

What to look for when choosing a healthy almond milk

1. Healthy Almond Milks Contain Many Almonds

Almond milks vary widely in the amount of almonds used to make the beverage. Not surprisingly, most almondmilk is made with very few almonds because they are the most expensive ingredient.

How do you know how many almonds are in your favorite nut-based milk?  Unfortunately, you can’t look at the ingredient list as almonds will almost always be the second ingredient.

The easiest way to approximate the nut quantity is by looking at the fat, protein, and calories in a beverage.  We have estimated the number of almonds in each cup of store bought almondmilk evaluated below.

Recommendation:  To find a high quality almond milk, look for a product with around 100 calories and 8 to 10 grams of fat per one cup serving.

2. Healthy Almond Milks Are Not Sweetened

Healthy almond milk should contain little to no added sugar

Many sweetened almond milks contain high amounts of added sugar.  And watch out for vanilla flavored almond milks!  They often contain more than a tablespoon of added sugar per cup serving!

Read more on recommended daily intake of added sugar and why you want to minimize added sugar consumption.

Recommendation:  If you want a sweetened almond milk, it is better to buy an unsweetened brand and add a small amount of your preferred sweetener.

3. Healthy Almond Milks Avoid Gums and Other Thickeners

healthy almond milk should avoid gums and thickeners

Gums and other thickeners are frequently found in almond milks and other plant-based beverages.

Thickeners and gums are routinely used in packaged food to improve texture, shelf life, and product aesthetics.  In almond milk, they prevent separation and thicken the drink to hide just how few almonds are in the almond milk.

Typical gums and other thickeners in diary-free milks include gellan gum, locust bean gum (also called carob bean gum), xanthan gum, guar gum, and carrageenan.

Gellan Gum.  Gellan gum is a polysaccharide created when the bacteria Sphingomonas elodea ferment glucose or other carbon sources such as corn syrup, lactose, whey protein, or soybean extracts.  Gellan gum is a soluble dietary fiber.  (2, 3, 4)

Locust Bean Gum.  Locust Bean Gum a polysaccharide extracted from the seeds of the Carob Tree. Also called carob bean gum, locust Bean Gum is a soluble dietary fiber that is fermented by intestinal microflora. (3, 5)

Xanthan Gum.  Similar to gellan gum, xanthan gum is a soluble fiber created when the bacteria Xanthomonas campestris ferment sugar.  Xanthan gum is a soluble dietary fiber that is fermented by intestinal microflora.  (3,6)

Guar Gum.  Guar gum is a polysaccharide extracted from the beans of the guar plant.  Guar gum is a soluble dietary fiber that is partially fermented by intestinal microflora.(7)

Recommendation: It is best to avoid foods that contain gums and other thickeners, as they are often highly processed.  However, occasionally eating small amounts of these additives is probably fine, unless you experience gastrointestinal discomfort or are following a specific diet.

4. Healthy Almond Milks Do Not Contain Carrageenan

healthy almond milk should not contain carrageenan

Carrageenan is a thickener manufactured from red algae seaweed and is widely used in processed foods. (3)

Though carrageenan is listed as a “generally regarded as safe” food additive by the FDA and WHO, there is growing research that links carrageenan to inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowl disease. (8)

In late 2016, the National Organic Standards Board voted to prohibit the use of carrageenan in organic products.(9)   However, in 2018 the USDA decided to not implement the recommendation and carrageenan is still allowed in organic products. (10)

Recommendation: Buy and drink almondmilks that avoid carrageenan.

5. Healthy Almond Milks Avoid Lecithin

healthy almond milk avoids lecithin

Lecithin is an emulsifier that is found naturally in egg yolks, soy beans and even sunflower seeds.  As an emulsifier, lecithin helps keep oils or fats suspended in water.  In almond milk, lecithin helps keep the almond oils suspended in water.

Lecithin is an excellent source of choline, a B vitamin.  And there is conflicting research linking choline to the formation of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a biomarker for cardiovascular disease. (11)

However, a recent clinical study evaluating the effect of eating eggs on biomarkers for cardiovascular disease risk found that while as many as three eggs a day resulted in a dose-dependent increase in blood choline levels, no corresponding increase in TMAO was observed. (12)

More research is needed to understand the complex interactions between the foods we eat, our microbiome, and our health.  However, there are many packaged almond milk options that do not contain lecithin. 

Recommendation: Buy and drink additive-free almond whenever possible.

6. Healthy Almond Milks Have Minimal Sodium

Healthy almond milk has minimal sodium

Sodium, from salt and other food additives, can be found in almost any processed food.  Almond milk is no exception.

Salt is often added to enhance the flavor of a nut milk.  Additionally, gums and thickeners added to improve the texture of almond milk contain sodium.

More than 90% of us consume too much sodium each day according to the Dietary Guidelines of America.(13)   Read more on the recommended daily intake of sodium and why you want to reduce your daily sodium intake.

Recommendation: If you are on a reduced salt diet, avoid almond milks with high levels of sodium.

Which popular almond-based beverages are healthy?

We evaluated popular almond milks based on the following criteria. (14-29)

Criteria used to evaluate almondmilk

which almond milks are healthy

All information below is for a 1 cup serving.

Types of added sugar are listed in red.   

Some store-bought almond milks are healthy choices

The healthiest nut milks contain only two simple ingredients: water and nuts.

However, many store-bought almond milks are not a healthy choice.  Made with only a few almonds, they are essentially almond-flavored water thickened with highly processed gums.   And some almond milks are sweetened with excessive levels of added sugar.

Examples of healthy almond milks:

Most almond milk found in the grocery store contains a whole list of ingredients.  However, there are a few store-bought almond milks that contain minimal ingredients.  Also, these healthy almond milks were made with significantly more almonds than most commercial almondmilks.

This amount of almonds in the health almonds milk is comparable to homemade almond milk.  Both brands listed below have approximate 4 times more almonds than most store bought almond milks.

Both almond milk brands are more expensive than most other brands, likely because they contain more almonds.  If you have the time and a good high-speed blender, consider making your own.

Elmhurst Unsweetened Milked Almonds

nutrition information for elmhurst milked almonds beverage

Ingredients in Elmhurst Unsweetened Milked Almonds: Filtered water, almonds

Elmhurst Unsweetened Milked Almonds contains approximately 22 almonds per one cup serving.

Three Trees Original Almondmilk

nutrition information for three trees almondmilk

Ingredients in Three Trees Almondmilk: Filtered water, almonds

Three Trees Almondmilk contains approximately 20 almonds per one cup serving.

Malk Unsweetened Almond Milk

nutrition information for malk unsweetened almondmilk

Ingredients in Malk Unsweetened Almond Milk: Almonds, salt, filtered water

Malk Pure Almond Milk contains approximately 20 almonds per one cup serving.

Almond milks that are okay only occasionally:

Most of the almond based beverages we evaluated fall into the “okay” category.  These almond milks are probably okay if you drink them occasionally, but you don’t want to drink them every day.

However, if you are following a particular diet which avoids gums or thickeners, you will want to avoid these almond-based beverages.

Okay plant-based almond beverages are in alphabetical order.

Kirkland Signature Unsweetened Almond Non-Dairy Beverage

Nutritional Information for Kirkland signature unsweetened almond non dairy beverage

Ingredients in Kirkland Signature Unsweetened Almondmilk: Water, almonds, calcium carbonate, sea salt,  sunflower lecithin, locust bean gum, gellan gum, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin E, vitamin B2, zinc gluconate, vitamin B12

Kirkland Signature Unsweetened Almond milk contains approximately 5 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons why you may want to think twice about buying Kirkland Signature Unsweetened Almondmilk:

  • Contains only a few almonds per serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin

Mooala Almondmilk

nutrition information for mooala original almondmilk

Ingredients in Mooala Almondmilk: Water, almonds, honey, sea salt, gellan gum

Mooala Almondmilk contains approximately 8 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons why you may want to think twice about buying Mooala Almondmilk:

  • Contains only a few almonds per serving
  • Contains 5 grams of added sugar per one cup serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums

Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk

Nutritional information for Silk unsweetened almondmilk

Ingredients in Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk: Water, almonds, calcium carbonate, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, sea salt, natural flavor, sunflower lecithin, locust bean gum, gellan gum, ascorbic acid

Silk Almond milk contains approximately 3 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons why you may want to think twice about buying Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk:

  • Contains very few almonds per serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin

Simple Truth Unsweetened Almondmilk

Nutritional information for Simple Truth unsweetened almond milk

Ingredients in Simple Truth Unsweetened Almondmilk: Water, almonds, tricalcium phosphate, sea salt, gellan gum, dipotassium phosphate, xanthan gum, sunflower lecithin, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin E acetate

Simple Truth Unsweetened Almond milk contains approximately 3 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons why you may want to think twice about buying Simple Truth Unsweetened Almondmilk:

  • Contains very few almonds per serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin

So Delicious Unsweetened Almondmilk

Nutritional Information for so delicious unsweetened almondmilk

Ingredients in So Delicious Unsweetened Almondmilk: Water, almonds, calcium carbonate, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, sea salt, natural flavor, sunflower lecithin, locust bean gum, gellan gum, ascorbic acid

So Delicious Unsweetened Almond milk contains approximately 4 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons why you may want to think twice about buying So Delicious Unsweetened Almondmilk:

  • Contains very few almonds per serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin

Thrive Market Unsweetened Almond Beverage

Nutritional Information for thrive market almond beverage

Ingredients in Thrive Market Unsweetened Almond Beverage Ingredients: Water, almonds, sunflower lecithin, sea salt

Thrive Market Unsweetened Almond milk contains approximately 5 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons why you may want to think twice about buying Thrive Market Unsweetened Almondmilk:

  • Contains very few almonds per serving
  • Contains lecithin

Whole Foods 365 Unsweetened Almond Milk

nutritional information whole foods 365 brand unsweetened almond milk

Ingredients in Whole Foods 365 Unsweetened Almond Milk: Water, almonds, sea salt, tricalcium phosphate, gellan gum, locust bean gum, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin E, vitamin B12

Whole Foods 365 Unsweetened Almond Milk contains approximately 5 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons why you may want to think twice about buying Whole Foods 365 Unsweetened Almond Milk:

  • Contains only a few almonds per serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums

Almond milks to avoid:

Several store-bought almond milks are not healthy options.  Often, they contain too much added sugar and other additives which should be minimized in a healthy diet.

Consider avoiding the following almond-based beverages.  Almondmilks are listed in alphabetical order.

Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almondmilk

Nutritional information for Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almondmilk

Ingredients in Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almondmilk: Water, almonds, calcium carbonate, sea salt, potassium citrate, sunflower lecithingellan gum, natural flavors, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin E

Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond milk contains approximately 5 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almondmilk:

  • Contains only a few almonds per serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin
  • A serving contains 170 milligrams of sodium

Almond Breeze Original Almondmilk

Nutritional information for Almond Breeze Original Almondmilk

Ingredients in Almond Breeze Original Almondmilk: Water, almonds, cane sugar, calcium carbonate, sea salt, potassium citrate, sunflower lecithingellan gum, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin E

Almond Breeze Original Almond milk contains approximately 5 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Almond Breeze Original Almondmilk:

  • Contains only a few almonds per serving
  • A one cup serving contains 7 grams of added sugar
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin

Almond Dream Unsweetened Almond Drink

nutrition information almond dream unsweetened almond drink

Ingredients in Almond Dream Unsweetened Almond Drink: Filtered water, almonds, sunflower lecithin, tapioca starch, tricalcium phosphate, carrageenan, sea salt, gellan gum, natural flavors, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin E, vitamin D2, vitamin B12.

Almond Dream Unsweetened Almond milk contains approximately 5 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Almond Dream Unsweetened Almondmilk:

  • Contains carrageenan
  • Only a few almonds per serving
  • Contains lecithin
  • Thickened with highly processed gums

Califia Farms Original Almondmilk

Nutritional information for califia farms original almondmilk

Ingredients in Califia Farms Original Almondmilk Ingredients: Water, almonds, cane sugar, sunflower lecithin, sea salt, potassium citrate, natural flavors, locust bean gum, gellan gum,

Califia Farms Original Almondmilk contains approximately 6 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Califia Farms Almondmilk:

  • Contains only a few almonds per serving
  • A one cup serving contains 5 grams of added sugar
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin

Califia Farms Unsweetened Almondmilk

Nutritional information for Califia Farms unsweetened almond milk

Ingredients in Califia Farms Unsweetened Almondmilk: Water, almonds, calcium carbonate, sunflower lecithin, sea salt, potassium citrate, natural flavors, locust bean gum, gellan gum

Califia Farms Unsweetened Almondmilk contains approximately 6 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Califia Farms Unsweetened Almondmilk:

  • Contains only a few almonds per serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin
  • A serving contains 160 milligrams of sodium

Elmhurst Milked Almonds

nutrition information for elmhurst milked almonds

Ingredients in Elmhurst Milked Almonds: Water, almonds, cane sugar, salt, natural flavors

Elmhurst Milked Almonds contains approximately 22 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Elmhurst Milked Almonds:

Great Value Original Almondmilk

Nutritional information for Great Value original almondmilk

Ingredients in Great Value Original Almondmilk: Water, almonds, cane sugar, calcium carbonate, sea salt, potassium citrate, sunflower lecithin, gellan gum, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin E

Great Value Original Almond milk contains approximately 5 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Great Value Original Almondmilk:

  • Contains only a few almonds per serving
  • A one cup serving contains 7 grams of added sugar
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin

Great Value Unsweetened Almondmilk

Nutritional Information for Great Value unsweetened almondmilk

Ingredients in Great Value Unsweetened Almondmilk: Water, almonds, tricalcium phosphate, sea salt,  sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum, guar gum, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2

Great Value Unsweetened Almond milk contains approximately 5 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Great Value Unsweetened Almondmilk:

  • Contains only a few almonds per serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin
  • A serving contains 170 milligrams of sodium

Pacific Foods Barista Series Almond Plant Based Beverage

nutrition information pacific foods barista series almond milk

Ingredients in Pacific Foods Barista Series Almond Plant Based Beverage: Water, cane sugar, almonds, carrageenan, gellan gum, potassium citrate, sea salt, sodium citrate, sunflower lecithin.

Pacific Foods Barista Series Almond milk contains approximately 6 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Pacific Foods Barista Series Almondmilk:

  • Sugar is the second ingredient before almonds
  • Contains carrageenan
  • Only a few almonds per serving
  • Contains 8 grams of added sugar per one cup serving
  • Contains lecithin
  • Thickened with highly processed gums

Pacific Foods Original Almond Plant Based Beverage

Nutritional Information for Pacific Foods Original Almond milk

Ingredients in Pacific Foods Original Almond Milk: Water, cane sugar, almonds, gellan gum, natural flavor, potassium citrate, sea salt, sodium citrate, vitamin D2, xanthan gum 

Pacific Foods Original Almond milk contains approximately 6 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Pacific Foods Original Almondmilk:

  • Sugar is the second ingredient before almonds
  • Only a few almonds per serving
  • Contains 7 grams of added sugar per one cup serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • A serving contains 170 milligrams of sodium

Pacific Foods Unsweetened Almond Plant Based Beverage

Nutritional Information for pacific foods unsweetened almond plant based beverage

Ingredients in Pacific Foods Unsweetened Almond Milk: Water, almonds, gellan gum, natural flavor, rice starch, sea salt, vanilla extract, vitamin D2, xanthan gum 

Pacific Foods Unsweetened Almond milk contains approximately 6 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Pacific Foods Unsweetened Almondmilk:

  • Only a few almonds per serving
  • Thickened with highly processed gums, including rice starch
  • A serving contains 180 milligrams of sodium

Silk Almondmilk

Nutritional information for Silk original almondmilk

Ingredients in Silk Almondmilk: Water, almonds, cane sugar, calcium carbonate, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, sea salt, natural flavor, sunflower lecithin, locust bean gum, gellan gum, ascorbic acid

Silk Almond milk contains approximately 3 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Silk Almondmilk:

  • Contains very few almonds per serving
  • A one cup serving contains 7 grams of added sugar
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin

Simple Truth Almondmilk

Nutritional Information for simple Truth almond milk

Ingredients in Simple Truth Almondmilk: Water, almonds, evaporated cane syrup, tricalcium phosphate, sea salt, gellan gum, dipotassium phosphate, xanthan gum, sunflower lecithin, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin E acetate

Simple Truth Almond milk contains approximately 3 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Simple Truth Almondmilk:

  • Contains very few almonds per serving
  • A one cup serving contains 7 grams of added sugar
  • Thickened with highly processed gums
  • Contains lecithin

Whole Foods 365 Original Almond Milk

Nutritional information for whole foods 365 original almond milk

Ingredients in Whole Foods 365 Original Almond Milk : Water, almonds, cane sugar, sea salt, tricalcium phosphate, gellan gum, locust bean gum, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin E, vitamin B12

Whole Foods 365 Original Almond Milk contains approximately 4 almonds per one cup serving.

Reasons to avoid Whole Foods 365 Original Almond Milk:

  • Contains very few almonds per serving
  • A one cup serving contains 7 grams of added sugar
  • Thickened with highly processed gums

Conclusions about choosing a healthy almond milk

When it comes to finding a healthy almond milk, simple clean ingredients are best.  Most store-bought almond milks contain highly processed ingredients and few nuts.  If you have the time, it is best to make your own homemade almond milk.

What about the vitamins in almond milk?

Does your favorite store-bought almond milk contain ingredients like vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and calcium carbonate?  These vitamins are added to the plant based milk so the manufactures can claim that the plant-based beverage is a “good source” of these nutrients.

Is it good to drink an almond milk with vitamins?  It won’t hurt you.  However, if you need to supplement your diet, you are better off taking a specific dose of a high quality vitamin supplement.

What is the difference between shelf stable almond milk and refrigerated almond milk?

From an ingredient standpoint, there is very little difference between a brand’s shelf stable almond milk and refrigerated almondmilk.  Simply put, shelf stable almond milk is packaged in a way that does not require refrigeration until it is opened.

There are likely some small formula differences between the two types of almond milk.  However, they are so minor that you can often not differentiate between the two based on the ingredients alone.

To demonstrate how similar refrigerated almond milk is to shelf stable almondmilk, below is the nutrition information for the two unsweetened Silk versions.

Refrigerated Usweetened Silk Almond Milk

Nutritional information for refrigerated Silk unsweetened almondmilk

Refrigerated Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk Ingredients: Water, almonds, calcium carbonate, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, sea salt, natural flavor, locust bean gum, gellan gum, ascorbic acid

Shelf Stable Unsweetened Silk Almond Milk

Nutritional information for Silk unsweetened almondmilk

Shelf Stable Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk Ingredients: Water, almonds, calcium carbonate, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, sea salt, natural flavor, sunflower lecithin, locust bean gum, gellan gum, ascorbic acid

Is Vanilla flavored almond milk healthy?

Vanilla flavored almond milk is most definitely NOT healthy.  Vanilla flavor milks also have extra added sugar.

Silk Vanilla Almond Milk

Silk Vanilla flavored almond milk is not a healthy choice.  Each cup serving of Silk Vanilla Almond Milk contains more than one tablespoon of added sugar.

Silk vanilla flavored almond milk has twice the added sugar of silk original sweetened almond milk

Whole Foods 365 Vanilla Almond Milk

Whole Foods 365 Organic Vanilla flavored almond milk is also not a healthy choice.  Each cup serving of Whole Foods Vanilla Almond Milk contains more than one tablespoon of added sugar.

whole foods vanilla flavored almond milk has twice the added sugar of whole foods original sweetened almond milk

Califia Farms Vanilla Almondmilk

The Vanilla flavored almond milk made by Califia Farms is the best option available.  Each cup of Califia Farms almondmilk contains less than one teaspoon of added sugar.

califia farms vanilla almond milk contains less added sugar than most

What is a Barista Blend Almond Milk?

Plant-based milks labeled as Barista Blends are specially formulated to create an attractive foam for a cappuccino or latte.  These formulation differences are often hard to notice on an ingredient list.

However, just like any store-bought product, it is best to read the ingredients if you are concerned about a specific ingredient.  You can always ask to see the plant-based milk carton before ordering your favorite coffee beverage!

Check out these other product evaluations:

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is almond breeze almond milk healthy

References:

  1. US non-dairy milk sales grow 61% over the past five years, Mintel Website (link)
  2. Modeling for Gellan Gum Production by Sphingomonas paucimobilis ATCC 31461 in a Simplified Medium, Applied and Environmental Microbiology May 2006, 72 (5) 3367-3374 (link)
  3. Products, CPKelco Website (link)
  4. Re-evaluation of Gellan Gum as a Food Additive, EFSA Website, (link)
  5. Re-evaluation of Locust Bean Gum as a Food Additive, EFSA Website, (link)
  6. Re-evaluation of Xanthan Gum as a Food Additive, EFSA Website, (link)
  7. Re-evaluation of Guar Gum as a Food Additive, EFSA Website, (link)
  8. The Role of Carrageenan and Carboxymethylcellulose in the Development of Intestinal Inflammation, Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2017, 5: 96 (link)
  9. “Board Nixes Use of Carrageenan in Organic Food Production”, Food Safety News Website. 2016 (link)
  10. USDA Defies Advisors, Allows Carrageenan to Keep Organic Label, NPR Website, (link)
  11. Choline, TMAO, and Heart Health, 2017, Cleveland HeartLab Website, (link)
  12. Intake of up to 3 Eggs/Day Increases HDL Cholesterol and Plasma Choline While Plasma Trimethylamine-N-oxide is Unchanged in a Healthy Population, Lipids, March 2017, (link)
  13. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015-2020, Eighth Ed.  (link)
  14. Leading refrigerated almond milk brands in the United States, Statista Website (link)
  15. Elmhurst Website (link)
  16. Three Trees Website (link)
  17. Malk Website (link)
  18. Kirkland Signature Almond Milk, Costco Website (link)
  19. Mooala Website (link)
  20. Silk Website (link)
  21. Simple Truth Almond Milk, Kroger Website (link)
  22. So Delicious Website (link)
  23. Thrive Almond Milk, Thrive Market Website (link)
  24. Whole Foods 365 Almond Milk, Whole Foods Website (link)
  25. Almond Breeze Website (link)
  26. Almond Dream Website (link)
  27. Califia Farms Website (link)
  28. Great Value Almond Milk, Walmart Website (link)
  29. Pacific Foods Website (link)

Erica

Tuesday 17th of May 2022

So then no almond milk having gastritis can be drink either

Peggy

Saturday 14th of May 2022

So what is the best almond milk for ckd patient

Meredith

Monday 16th of May 2022

Hi Peggy -

Unfortunately, I can not suggest a specific brand of almond milk that is best for someone with ckd. However, please note that the gums / thickeners used in some non-dairy beverages are sources of sodium. More information on a ckd diet can be found here: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/eating-nutrition

Kathleen

Sunday 2nd of January 2022

That was an excellent article and breakdown! Thank you for the very helpful information....I am better off throwing a small handful of almonds and water into my smoothie than using the inferior almond milks from the store! I find that liberating!

Jarmar

Wednesday 1st of December 2021

Can you post an evaluation of healthy oat milk brands or at least the criteria that should be met to be considered healthy? That would be much appreciated! Oatmilk tends to be very popular alongside almond milk as a dairy alternative an I usually the two reach for.

Meredith

Wednesday 1st of December 2021

Hi Jarmar - Thanks for your question. Here is a link to my evaluation of oatmilks: https://feedthemwisely.com/choosing-healthy-oat-milk

Cheryl

Tuesday 10th of November 2020

Hi - Thank you for this detailed and informative article on almond milk. My primary reason for drinking almond milk is for the added calcium. I wish you would have addressed the type of calcium supplements that are added. So, while I agree with you that making your own almond milk is the tastiest, it will not provide the amount of calcium I'm needing.

Meredith

Wednesday 11th of November 2020

Hi Cheryl -

While many commercial almond milks are not supplemented with calcium, some are. The two forms of calcium added to almond milk are calcium carbonate and tricalcium phosphate. Calcium carbonate is a common form of calcium used in calcium supplements.