Editor’s
Note: Since this article was published, the manufacturers of Almond Breeze have
swapped out carageenan for gellan gum. A study in humans has shown it to be
safe (similar to xantham gum) but another rat study shows signs of concern.
While gellan gum is a better alternative to carageenan, we advise customers to
continue to be cautious, and we always recommend making whole almond milk as
the healthiest possible option.
They’re
crunchy, sweet and nothing tastes quite like them! Almonds are a fantastic
source of nutrition with numerous health benefits.
Containing
around 21 grams of protein and 8.8 grams of fiber per 100 grams (1), almonds
are a great snack to keep you energized and full throughout the day. They can
even lower your cholesterol and help improve circulation throughout the body!
However,
there is a downside to the almond world. Many companies are now producing
almond milk as “the increase in consumption of products in the last decades is
related to consumers’ tendency to look for healthy foods” (2). However, what’s
hidden inside this form of milk will shock you!
Excess
Sugars
Almond
milk contains many additives, but naturally, almond milk doesn’t contain sugar,
yet most manufacturers add sugar to it during processing to improve the taste.
It may taste delicious, but the added sugars will stack up against your daily
allowance!
According
to the American Heart Association, men should be consuming 37.5 grams of sugar
(or less) a day and women should be having 25 grams (3). So it may be shocking
to hear that standard almond milk contains 7 grams of sugar per 1 cup serving
(4). That’s a third of your daily sugars, if you’re a woman, after just one
serving! So you could be already a chunk of your way into your daily sugar
allowance after your morning breakfast.
Should
It Be Called ‘Almond’ Milk
almond-milk-collage-isolated-white-background-selective-focus-67032947
In the
UK brand Alpro, researchers found that a whole carton contains only 2% almonds!
It has been said that this percentage is not limited to UK products and is a
standard for commercially produced almond milk (6). So you would have to drink
the whole thing to reap the rewards of what a handful of almonds could do! But
that would mean consuming copious amounts of additives and Carrageenan
(thickening ingredient).
Contaminated
by Carrageenan
Carrageenan
is a thickening tool which is extracted from certain types of red seaweed (7).
Although it is a natural substance, multiple health professionals have
concluded that carrageenan can cause inflammation which can lead to heart
disease (8). The US still pass the use of carrageenan in food products and not
a major health concern.
Is All
Store-bought Almond Milk Bad?
Yes, and
no. Store-bought almond milk will never have as much nutrition or as many
almonds as real, homemade almond milk.
However,
if you do have to buy boxed, there are definitely some options that are better
than others. The key is to be an informed shopper. Read the labels with caution! For example, a
few brands which offer an “unsweetened” variety of almond milk actually do
sweeten it with cane sugar or dried cane juice, which is still sugar.
Here’s
how to buy it:
avoid
carrageenan
avoid
added sugar (including cane sugar)
avoid
“natural flavors” when possible
buy 100%
organic
buy
unsweetened
For
example, Almond Breeze unsweetened almond milk doesn’t add sugar, but it does
add carrageenan. So Delicious and Silk
“Unsweetened” versions of almond milk have no carrageenan or sugar, but they do
add “natural flavors”, which ends up being a better option than most. If you’re
unable to find a brand in your local grocery store that is truly natural, the
best option will always be to simply make your own almond milk at home.
Try our
easy, homemade recipe that is all-natural and doesn’t contain any of the
additives found in shop bought products.
Or watch
the following video! It will give you a step by step guide on how to make the
perfect tasting almond milk. Delicious!
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