Is Almond Milk Bad For You?
Short answer
Almond milk is okay for you, though it does not have the nutritional qualities of almonds alone. However, it is a reasonable substitute for regular milk for those who are vegan, lactose intolerant or simply don't like cow's milk.
Recommended Alternative
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Over the past few years, almond milk has seen a huge jump in sales as people make more of an effort to be health-conscious. There are a variety of reasons why you may think to make the switch-- the fat and cholesterol content of regular milk, concern over the ethical treatment of animals, and lactose intolerance, just to name a few. However, many may not realize that almond milk does little to support good health and that other options may be more beneficial.
It would be reasonable to assume that since it is called "almond milk" it would have similar nutritional qualities, particularly in regards to protein and calcium, to both almonds and milk. However, this is not the case. Almond milk is mostly made of water, thickeners, and sweeteners, with a shockingly low amount of actual almonds present in the drink. Cow's milk provides eight times as much protein per cup than almond milk (8 grams versus 1 gram), while the calcium content in almond milk is nearly negligible. Certain brands of almond milk are fortified with vitamins and minerals, though, so that they can be a worthier addition to your diet. Just make sure to always check the label as almond milk is likely to contain sneaky additives that may negatively affect you. One such additive is carrageenan, a thickening agent derived from seaweed that is known to cause gastrointestinal inflammation in sensitive individuals. If digestive distress is what you are trying to avoid, almond milk may not be for you!
It's not all bad news, though-- almond milk is relatively low in calories and sodium and has no saturated fat or cholesterol, which makes it great if you are watching your weight. It has a low glycemic index, which means that it won't impact your blood sugar levels and is consequently a good choice for those affected by diabetes. Some dermatologists even recommend almond milk for acne patients as it isn't riddled with added hormones as regular cow's milk often is. Almond milk is, therefore, okay for you. If you want to gain all the benefits of a true almond milk, though, why not try making it yourself?
Possible short-term side effects
- digestive distress
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inflammation
Possible long-term side effects
- nutritional deficiencies in infants, if fed to them in place of breast milk or formula
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- vegan, gluten- and dairy-free
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low in calories
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contains good fats that protect your heart
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high in antioxidants
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low glycemic index
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Silk Almond Milk
- Dairy-free beverage
- Non-GMO verified
- Zero added sugar
- Delightful vanilla flavor
- Vegan-friendly
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Written by Lindsay
Published on: 02-10-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Lindsay
Published on: 02-10-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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