Guide to Shopping Non-Dairy Milks

I absolutely love that there are so many plant based milk options these days - it makes life a whole lot easier for anyone who follows a dairy free lifestyle! While I’m always happy to see healthier options being introduced to the public, just because most of them say “dairy free” or “plant based” does not mean they are automatically great for your health. I would even go ahead to say that I would probably only recommend a small fraction of these products to any clients, friends, or family. Plant based milks are a great example and have become a very saturated market with a ton of products that are filled with everything but nutritious ingredients.

Here’s a list of ingredients for a very popular almond milk that is often used in restaurants / coffee shops and always visible in the stores -

ALMONDMILK (FILTERED WATER, ALMONDS), CANE SUGAR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: VITAMIN & MINERAL BLEND (CALCIUM CARBONATE, VITAMIN E ACETATE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, VITAMIN D2), SEA SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, LOCUST BEAN GUM, GELLAN GUM, ASCORBIC ACID (TO PROTECT FRESHNESS).

You’re drinking a whole lot more than just almonds here, so it’s super important to read the ingredient label before choosing which one to buy! To keep it plain & simple, here’s a quick list to scan for the next time you’re milk shopping -

  • MINIMAL INGREDIENTS - I’m talking 4 ingredients tops. Less is MUCH better in this scenario. The ingredients should really read along the lines of “almonds, water”

  • LIMIT THE GUMS - Plant based products are often filled with added gums to act as a stabilizer. While most people might look past them, I’m going to advise that you try and stay clear of them altogether. They can often cause GI & digestive problems, so if you’re extra sensitive in this area, keep them away as best as you can.

  • CHOOSE UNSWEETENED - For most of the time! Limiting the amount of added sugar is key here and flavored milks will often have them to keep that delicious flavor. There’s no reason cane sugar should be the second ingredient in your milk because that essentially means there’s a large amount of it.

Keep it simple! Don’t stress yourself out trying to look at every ingredient label in the fridge aisle. I always suggest finding 2-3 clean brands that you genuinely enjoy and sticking with them. It’s hard to be in control when you need a non-dairy milk option at a coffee shop or restaurant, so just keep it consistent at home! There are a few brands that I absolutely love and are giving non-dairy milk a great name! I would highly recommend purchasing any of the following -

I hope this helps - feel free to reach out with any questions or products that you’re unsure of!

Xx



Michelle Iannacchino