The 11 Best Almond Milks To Buy, According to Dietitians

Almond, oat, pistachio, macadamia, pea—these are just some of the many ingredients you can use to make non-dairy milk alternatives these days. And while some of the more adventurous eaters may aim to try the newest alternative milk trends, there are plenty of tried and true non-dairy drinkers who will always opt for the original almond milk. For the almond milk shoppers out there, we've rounded up some of the healthiest options you can buy—as well as a few cartons to avoid.

What are the health benefits of drinking almond milk?

Almond milk is a plant-based beverage comprised mainly of almonds and water. However, many store-bought almond milk brands include other ingredients designed to enhance the flavor profile and/or up the nutritional content to rival that of other milk types. A vegan-friendly, lactose-free alternative to dairy milk, this creamy drink mimics the appearance and texture of traditional cow's milk, but with a nuttier taste.

"Drinking almond milk [allows] people who cannot tolerate dairy milk the ability to enjoy foods that traditionally pair well with milk, like cereal," says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, registered dietitian and author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility.

Although almond milk is a great milk alternative, it naturally does not have the same beneficial nutritional profile as dairy beverages.

"Most almond milks are not nutritionally equivalent to dairy milk," says Manaker. "They are typically lower in protein, they may have added sugars, and the micronutrients are not all the same."

However, many store-bought products are now fortified with nutrients you find in dairy milk, so you'll want to opt for those whenever possible.

"If fortified, the nutritional benefits of drinking almond milk would be to get some calcium, and vitamins A, D, and E," says Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND, the award-winning nutrition expert and Wall Street Journal bestselling cookbook author of Up Your Veggies: Flexitarian Recipes for the Whole Family.

How to choose the best healthy almond milk brands:

When you're shopping for the healthiest almond milks, keep these nutritional criteria in mind:

• Look for unsweetened options or those low in added sugars: "People […] should ensure that the added sugar content [of almond milk] isn't too high, especially if their overall diet is rich in added sugars," says Manaker. Consuming added sugar in moderation is okay, but too much of it consistently has been linked to weight gain and an increased risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

• Make sure the almond milk is enriched with micronutrients: Because almonds don't contain the same nutrients as dairy milk, namely protein, calcium, and vitamin D, "the almond milk [should provide] nutrients that people may not be getting elsewhere, especially if they do not consume dairy foods," according to Manaker.

• Opt for a simple ingredient list: "When choosing a healthy almond milk, prioritize simplicity in ingredients, opting for products with a minimal list that includes primarily almonds and water," says Mary Sabat MS, RDN, LD. When you can, "steer clear of options with excessive gums, carrageenan, or unhealthy oils, as these ingredients can compromise the nutritional integrity of the almond milk and may lead to digestive discomfort or other health concerns."

Below you'll find our dietitian-recommended list of the 11 healthiest almond milks on the market, as well as a couple of options that you may want to avoid when you can. Read on, then check out The 8 Healthiest Non-Dairy Milk Alternatives—and 3 To Avoid.

11 Best Healthy Almond Milks

Best: Califia Farms Organic Unsweetened Almond Milk

"I personally love the Califia Farms Organic [Unsweetened] Almondmilk, which is made from water, almonds, and sea salt," says Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, a board-certified sports dietitian. "Just three ingredients combine to create a dairy-free goodness in its purest form. It's great for cereal, smoothies, cooking, and baking. It's also certified organic and contains no oils or gums and zero additives. I'd consider it to be the best almond milk!"

Julie Upton, MS, RD, CSSD, and member of our Medical Expert Board, is also a fan of this particular almond milk product, telling us, "This is a brand I buy. Nutritionally, I like that it has no saturated fat and provides 3 grams of protein, which is typical for almond milk," says Upton.

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Best: Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Original Almondmilk

"One cup of unsweetened Almond Breeze Almond Milk is lower in calories with 40 and 1 gram of protein," says Amidor. "It is a good option if you want some added calcium and love the flavor. However, it is still recommended to get three servings of milk and dairy foods (or soy) in addition."

"In my cookbooks, I have several smoothie recipes that call for unsweetened almond milk. The almond milk is used to complement the flavors (typically, if I use almond butter, I will add it). I try to use the sweetness of fruit which has natural sugar as the sweetener. This is the almond milk I choose when I test my recipes," she adds.

Best: Silk Protein Almond Milk

Although most almond milks contain under 2 grams of protein per serving, that's not the case with Silk's Original Protein Almondmilk. This option gets a boost of plant protein thanks to the addition of soy protein isolate, making it a favorite of Kacie Barnes, MCN, RDN, founder of Mama Knows Nutrition.

"Most almond milk is low in calories and protein—not a good substitute for what you'd get in cow's milk. But this one has an impressive 8 grams of protein per cup!" Barnes says.

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Best: Mooala Simple Almond Milk

According to Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, a great choice for healthy almond milk is Mooala.

"This almond milk contains three ingredients and is relatively low in calories (50 calories) per serving," she says. "It contains 0 grams of sugar and 2 grams of protein, and it provides vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, and vitamin E. It is smooth and delicious perfect for smoothies or cereal."

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Best: Elmhurst Milked Almonds

"I like the Elmhurst almond milk," says Hailey Crean, MS, RD, CDCES, registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist of Hailey Crean Nutrition, LLC. "It has a higher concentration of almonds and doesn't have any added sugar, gums, or emulsifiers."

Elizabeth Ann Shaw, MS, RDN, CLT, registered dietitian nutritionist and author of the Fertility Foods Cookbook, agrees. "I love this brand, and their packaging is simply stunning!" she says. "It also has one of the highest amounts of protein (5 grams per cup) on the market for almond milk. Their milked almond product also comes in a no-added-sugar variety."

Best: Three Trees Almond Milk

Our dietitians love Three Trees Organic Unsweetened Almond Milk, a milk choice made with only two ingredients: almonds and water.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

"This almond milk has only two ingredients and no artificial ingredients, and it is low in calories and sugar," Young.

Sabat adds that the simplicity of this milk "ensures that consumers receive the authentic flavor of almonds without the presence of GMOs, gums, or oils, making it an ideal option for those seeking a healthy alternative."

Best: Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk

"This almond milk is commonly found in my local supermarkets, and it's another brand I choose in my recipe testing," says Amidor. "This brand provides 30 calories per cup—so it's a nice low-calorie addition to coffee and smoothies."

Best: MALK Pure Unsweetened Almond Malk

With three simple ingredients, this almond milk is a no-brainer when you're looking for a healthy choice.

"The ingredients are easy to read and understand (filtered water, organic sprouted almonds, Himalayan salt), meaning you won't be filling up on potentially questionable fillers that may alter your GI system," says Shaw. "It is a little pricer than the mainstream brands, but depending on how much you drink almond milk, it may be worth the extra penny. Plus, it also has 2 grams of protein and no added sugar."

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Best: Orgain Unsweetened Almondmilk

"Orgain offers an option with more protein than the classics," says Kelly Jones MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, registered dietitian and owner of Kelly Jones Nutrition. "The protein comes from peas, a popular source lately due to its smooth texture and quality source."

Best: 365 Organic Almond Milk

According to Sabat, the Whole Foods 365 Organic Almond Milk is a safe choice when you're looking for a high-quality option.

"This one stands out as a top choice in the almond milk market because of its commendable minimalistic ingredients, free from both artificial and natural flavors, and containing only minimal amounts of gums," says Sabat. "This simplicity ensures a purer and more natural product, appealing to those seeking a clean and straightforward alternative to traditional dairy milk."

Sabat also notes "that its organic certification assures that the almonds used are not subjected to glyphosate—a widely debated herbicide. This commitment to organic sourcing not only supports environmentally sustainable practices but also underscores dedication to producing a healthier product for consumers."

On top of all of that, you'll also get a low-calorie cup with only 40 calories and zero grams of sugar in each serving.

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Best: Califia Farms Almondmilk Barista Blend

"This milk is hands down the best option for your lattes!" says Jones. "It offers the creaminess you crave, frothing well and allowing for latte art galore, with the same delicious taste as the original version. It also has an unsweetened variety, which is a rare find for lattes in cafes."

2 Almond Milks to Avoid

Worst: Great Value Chocolate Almond Milk

If you're shopping at Walmart, you may want to skip over their Great Value Chocolate Almond Milk. Products like these are tricky because it's labeled as having only "100 calories per serving," but while this is true, each serving also has 17 grams of added sugar. With the American Heart Association's recommendation of no more than 25-36 grams per day, having 17 grams in just one serving of almond milk can easily push you over the limit.

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Worst: Silk Dark Chocolate Almondmilk

"Don't let the health benefits of dark chocolate fool you here! This almond milk still comes in with 17 grams of added sugars in one serving," says Shaw. "Instead, enjoy a piece of 70% dark chocolate and relish in the antioxidant benefits of the flavonoids in that treat rather than a sugar overload in this beverage."

This story has been updated to include new information, fact-checking, and copyedits.