Almond milk is a delicious combination of almonds and water blended together and the pulp then strained out of the mixture.  To add some sweetness, dates, apricots, figs, or a dash of honey or maple syrup can be blended into the nut milk.

But what most people don't realize is that commercial almond milk barely contains any almonds.  Instead, it contains milk-like thickening agents and other additives such as carrageenan to imitate an almond-like taste.  The two biggest commercial nut milk sellers cleverly use deceptive marketing tactics on food labels to give their customers a very different idea of what kind of product they are really buying.

Over the past decade, millions of people have turned away from dairy milk in favor of non-dairy options which include almond milk, soy milk and coconut milk.  Almond milk tops the list as the fastest growing plant-based drink on the market, with an estimated $845 M in sales.

Why choose nut milks

What is it about nut milks that has captured the attention of millions of consumers over dairy milk?  Let's take a look:

1. It's Nutritious

   In its pure form, almond milk is not only a tasty drink, but it's also highly nutritious!  It's rich in magnesium, selenium, manganese, zinc, potassium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamins A and D.  Almond milk contains no saturated fats and is only about 90 calories per 8 oz cup.  

2. It's Delicious & Versatile

   It has a delicious creamy, nutty taste that not only tastes great to drink, but also makes it a great addition to tea, coffee, and cereals.

3. It's Lactose-free

   Almond milk contains no lactose and is a great alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.

4. It's Plant-based

   More and more people are avoiding animal products that come from factory farms in the US.  The disturbing practices of these factory farms have taken center-stage over pasts few years as undercover investigations have revealed cruel and barbaric treatment of animals on these farms.  By choosing plant-based products such as nut milks, consumers no longer indirectly support these factory-farming practices.

5. It's Healthier (IF it's fresh & non-commercial)

   To avoid the health-depleting effects of pasteurized dairy milk, which is also the single biggest mucous-forming food on the planet.  Note that commercial almond milk is far less nutritious than fresh almond milk, and it's also pasteurized.  See below for a simple recipe on making your own fresh almond milk!

The downfall of dairy milks

A growing number of consumers are now wise to the fact that milk isn’t the nutritional touchstone it once was.  Today's commercial dairy milk is a very unhealthy product that falls far short of the claims that it provides important nourishment for the body.  It has been homogenized, pasteurized, comes from factory-farmed cows fed unnatural diets of GMOs, and if it's not organic, it typically contains antibiotic and pesticide residue.  Pasteurization is especially damaging as it destroys the enzymes that help the body digest the milk protein, it also denatures the calcium and other nutrients present in the milk.  This is a primary reason why many cannot properly digest dairy milk.  

Pasteurized vs. raw milk - a big difference...

And the famous "vitamin D" in milk?  This vitamin D is NOT naturally occurring in milk.  Instead, a synthetic version is added that has been synthesized in a lab.  This synthetic vitamin has a very different biological effect on the human body as compared to the same nutrients that are naturally derived from fresh, whole foods.

Why you should avoid synthetic supplements...

If you have low thyroid function

If you have low thyroid function, drink almond milk in moderation.  Almonds contain goitrogens, a substance known to suppress thyroid gland functioning by interfering with iodine uptake.  When consumed in large amounts, almond milk can affect thyroid functioning.

Why Commercial Almond Milk is Not a Healthy Product

"It’s being marketed as a healthy premium product because it is made from almonds, when it barely contains any almonds.  The wrongdoing is really hitting home on a large scale." J. C. Kelly  Attorney

Almond milk is traditionally made from almonds and water.  But most store-bought forms of almond milk contain a substance called carrageenan. Carrageenan is extracted from red seaweed and added to almond milk as a milk-like thickening agent.  The resulting liquid may taste like almond milk, but it is far from the same healthy product.

In fact, most commercial almond milks contains only 2% almonds with carrageenan used instead.  They also contain more sweeteners than they do almonds.  A 1/2 gallon of Blue Diamond and Silk almond milks contain only 38 almonds, when there should be 144-192 to achieve the creamy taste.  This means that approximately 80% is made from thickening agents such as carrageenan and/or other additives.

Both Blue Diamond and WhiteWave (manufacturers of Silk and So Delicious) are being sued for improperly labeling their almond milk, with the demand that their packaging and websites clearly state their almond milk contains only 2% almonds and that all favorable health claims be removed.

Attorney J. C. Kelly who represents various clients in the lawsuit states “it’s being marketed as a healthy premium product because it is made from almonds, when it barely contains any almonds.  The product is really developed from thickening agents to create a milk-like substitute that tastes very much like milk.  The wrongdoing is really hitting home on a large scale.”

Why you should avoid carrageenan

Carrageenan is a thickening agent extracted from red seaweed.  It contains no nutrients and has been shown to cause numerous GI issues.  It is also an ingredient used as a laxative, in toothpaste, pesticides, cosmetics, and medications.  Research has shown that exposure to carrageenan could contribute to ulcers and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considered a restriction on dietary carrageenan, but no regulation was put into effect.

The great news is that recently, WhiteWave and Blue Diamond announced they would be removing carrageenan from their products.  But this does not address the complaint that their almond milks contain very few almonds.

How to Make Almond Milk

Making your own almond milk is very easy!  All you need is a few ingredients and a blender.  Let's take a look:

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw sprouted almonds (organic) 
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 4 cups filtered water
• 1 vanilla bean
• Sweetener such as dried fruits, honey, or maple syrup (optional)
• Cheese cloth or sprout bag

Instructions

1. Soak almonds for at least 12 hours in water (this important step neutralizes the enzyme inhibitors to then release the enzymes that help your body digest the nut protein.  Soaking also breaks down phytic acid.
2. Rinse almonds and blend with salt until smooth and creamy.  During blending, the liquid will begin to expand - be careful you don't fill the blender too high!
3. Strain the mixture through a cheese cloth or sprout bag into a bowl.
4. Pour strained liquid back into blender and add vanilla been and sweetener of your choice.
5. Pour into large mason jars or a pitcher and refrigerate.  Because fresh almond milk is perishable, it can be stored for up to 1 week when kept refrigerated.

There are so many ways to enjoy fresh almond milk.  Experiment and have some fun!  Drink it straight; mix with dried or fresh fruit or cereal; add to hot drinks; use as a cooking ingredient, or mix with fresh fruit and freeze into fruit popsicles for a healthy and highly nutritious dessert.

Nut milks are not a substitute for breast milk

Almond milk (and other nut milks) may be highly nutritious, but they are not a substitute for breast milk.  During the first few days after birth, breast milk contains something very special called colostrum.  Also known as "liquid gold," colostrum is full of antibodies, immunoglobulins, and leukocytes (protective white cells that destroy dangerous bacteria and viruses).  It acts as a natural vaccine against bacteria, helping your baby's immune system to develop properly.  Newborn babies have not yet developed their own immune system, and this first milk is full of antibodies that help your baby develop a strong and healthy immune system.  These immunity factors are not present in almond milk.

Colostrum also contains lots of oligosaccharides and probiotics that are not found elsewhere (such as in formula milk).  In short, all newborns need colostrum.  Babies that do not receive colostrum are much more susceptible to digestive disorders and infections.

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