To avoid this, choose unsweetened and unflavored almond milk. Summary Almond milk is a poor source of protein, fat, and nutrients important for an infant's growth and development. What's more, many processed varieties contain additives like sugar, salt, flavors, gums, and carrageenan.
The major lactose-free milk options
- Soy milk. Let's start with the most common substitute.
- Rice milk. Rice milk tends to be sweeter than other lactose-free milks, with a thin and watery consistency.
- Almond milk.
- Coconut-based milk.
- Cashew milk.
- Hazelnut milk.
- Hemp milk.
- Oat milk.
Our top almond milk picks
- Silk Original Almond Milk — Best overall flavor.
- Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Original Almond Milk — Best in coffee or tea.
- Califia Farms Almond Milk — Best luxurious taste.
- Elmhurst Milked Almonds — Best for a sweet tooth.
- Orgain Organic Protein Almond Milk Unsweetened Vanilla — Best for gym lovers.
6 Alternatives to Milk: Which Is the Healthiest?
- Soy Milk. A popular alternative to dairy milk, soy milk is a bean extract of soybeans and commonly sold in sweetened, unsweetened and flavored varieties, including chocolate and vanilla.
- Almond Milk.
- Rice Milk.
- Coconut Milk.
- Flax Milk.
- Hemp Milk.
After opening, REFRIGERATED Almond Breeze® should be used within 7 days. SHELF STABLE Almond Breeze should be used within 7-10 days of opening. Because Almond Breeze® does not contain preservatives, it is susceptible to spoilage after being opened for a prolonged period of time.
The Best Non-Dairy Milks to Buy at the Grocery Store
- The Best Coconut Milk: So Delicious Unsweetened Vanilla.
- The Best Pea Milk: Ripple Unsweetened Vanilla.
- The Best Flax Milk: Good Karma Unsweetened Vanilla.
- The Best Hemp Milk: Pacific Foods Unsweetened Hemp Original.
Why Oatly Is the Best Non-Dairy Milk for Cereal
It tastes and feels like whole milk. Oatly has a sweetness that tastes like dairy sweetness and a creamy richness I've never encountered in a non-dairy milk.What Does Flax Milk Taste Like? Flaxseed milk can generally be described as nutty, though not in the same way as almond milk. Whereas almond milk has a natural sweetness, flax milk tends toward the earthier side.
What are the best plant-based alternatives to dairy milk?
- Coconut milk. Coconut milk is a good dairy-free option available in your supermarket.
- Almond milk.
- Goat's milk.
- Oat milk.
- Soy Milk.
Made from almonds and enriched with nutrients, almond milk can replace cow's milk in cereal. Almond beverages also do not provide any fiber and a serving contains just a small amount of protein.
Soy milk contains more protein than almond milk. Almond milk is lower in calories compared to soy milk, and contains more heart healthy monounsaturated fats. Almond milk contains slightly more sodium than soy milk, and both milks do not contain lactose.
Most commercial unsweetened almond milks will run you 30 to 40 calories and provide roughly one gram of protein, one gram of fiber and three grams of fat per eight-ounce serving. Almond milk is also rich in good fats, which promote a healthy heart and keep you feeling full.
If you're looking to purchase
almond milk for your
cereal, you may be wondering
which is the best almond milk for cereal.
The Best Almond Milk for Cereal
- Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Original.
- Silk Almond Milk, Unsweetened Vanilla.
- Orgain Organic Protein Almond Milk, Unsweetened Vanilla.
If you're looking for the absolute healthiest form of almond milk, you'd be wised to go for an unsweetened, unflavored variety. Unsweetened almond milk contains zero grams of sugar. Sweetened, unflavored almond milks usually contain about 7 grams of added sugar per serving.
Try adding maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, or granulated sugar to sweeten your almond milk. Mix in 1 tablespoon of sweetener for every 4 cups of milk. You can also stir in 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder or 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract for every 4 cups to flavor the milk.
Although almond milk is not nearly as nutritious as cow's milk, enriched products come close. They frequently contain added vitamin D, calcium and protein, making them more similar to regular milk in nutritional content. However, almond milk is naturally rich in several vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin E.
Beyond that period it's probably better to discard the liquid right away. Once you open the carton, it can sit for about 7 to 10 days in the fridge. Refrigerated almond milk usually comes with a use-by date. That means that an unopened carton of this nut milk can last only a few days up to a week past the use-by date.
Oat milk definitely has pros and cons
Because of its higher carb and calorie content, “oat milk provides a creamy consistency that almond milk does not provide,” Modell says. (In fact, it's probably the most comparable to cow's milk out of all your plant-based milk options.)Top 5 Healthiest Milk Alternatives
- Almond Milk. Since almonds are a great plant-based dietary source of calcium, they make an ideal healthy milk alternative.
- Coconut Milk.
- Hemp Milk.
- Rice Milk.
- Cashew Milk.
Here's How to Choose the Best Vegan Milk
- Almond Milk. Almond milk is one of the most popular dairy-free options and is incredibly versatile.
- Soy Milk. Perhaps the most widely available vegan milk, soy milk is packed with protein—seven grams per cup!
- Rice Milk.
- Cashew Milk.
- Coconut Milk.
- Hemp Milk.
- Oat Milk.
- Flax Milk.
Here's How to Choose the Best Vegan Milk
- Almond Milk. Almond milk is one of the most popular dairy-free options and is incredibly versatile.
- Soy Milk. Perhaps the most widely available vegan milk, soy milk is packed with protein—seven grams per cup!
- Rice Milk.
- Cashew Milk.
- Coconut Milk.
- Hemp Milk.
- Oat Milk.
- Flax Milk.
There are a few different nondairy options, with some things to consider about each:
- Soy milk is an acceptable alternative to cow's milk, but it's lower in fat.
- Almond milk is growing increasingly popular as well.
- Rice milk is very low in fat and calories.
- Coconut milk is a newer fad in vegan diets.
- Protein.
- Iron.
For our taste tests, we typically sample the same product from various brand names, like peanut butter or nonfat vanilla yogurt. Since the most popular cow's milk alternatives are made from very different ingredients, we are testing the top 5 varieties: rice, hemp, almond, coconut and soy.
