Be an Expert when Shopping for Almond Milk

With concern of food allergies on the rise, the beverage market has responded to consumer need with a glut of products. I found choosing the right dairy substitute can be as complicated as finding the right car, with what flavors to consider, sweetened vs. unsweetened, organic vs. all natural, what brand-and that doesn't consider the most basic choice of almond, soy, rice, and the newest alternative, hemp. Finding the option that is right for you is harder now than ever. I went through all the choices step by step. So let's break it down and see what I've found.

Almonds Have Become The Nut Of Choice By Health Enthusiasts Everywhere

Health nuts have known for years that almonds are high in protein, flavorful, and high in fiber. More recent studies have shown that high mono-unsaturated fat found in almonds helps balance cholesterol to keep blood lipids at a healthy ratio. Almonds contain vitamin E and calcium, for healthy skin and bones. They also provide magnesium, an important mineral helping the cardiovascular system and aiding the body's ability to absorb the calcium payload they carry. As an added bonus, the conversion process used in making almond milk retains all that goodness in every carton. And to stay competitive with regular milk, almond milk producers add vitamins A and D to their product just as dairy makers do.

Almond, soy, rice, and hemp milk are all vegan, and can provide vegetarians the same abundant health advantages as dairy. However, flavors do vary widely among the 4 leading substitutes, so only personal experience can be the final judge. With that said, here are some of the leading caveats.

Many suffering from lactose intolerance find soy products to be just as irritating as dairy. This was my experience, as well. After trying rice substitute, and finding it too sweet, I moved on to almond milk and marveled in its rich consistency, subtle flavor, and versatility. Hemp milk is relatively new on the market as a dairy substitute, however other hemp food products are not so new. Hemp cereal, hemp 'nut-butter,' and hemp seeds have been around for a while. The stigma surrounding hemp is still pervasive, and as such, hemp products may slip behind before gaining enough popularity to become the norm. Perhaps hemp ice cream, newest in the hemp line, will provide that necessary push to the mainstream.

Markets, Flavors, And Brands Of Almond Milk

Major grocery markets carry almond milk, although brands they offer vary. In big chain stores, like Ralph's or Albertson's, you'll find the dairy alternatives we've been discussing in the health section. In organic and specialty retailers, like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, check the cereal isle. Locations may vary by region.

There are 3 major national brands, each with its own specialty. Imagine Foods began with their Rice Dream brand, a milk alternative made from rice, and later expanded to Soy Dream, and finally, Almond Dream in Original and Unsweetened.

Almond Breeze, produced by Blue Diamond, the almond experts, splits their brand into the following flavor divisions: Unsweetened Chocolate, Vanilla, and Original; Sweetened Chocolate, Vanilla, and Original.

While the others are all natural, Pacific Natural offers organic almond milk in the following flavors: Unsweetened Original and Vanilla; Sweetened Original and Vanilla; and additionally, single servings of Sweetened Vanilla and Chocolate.

There are a couple of differences to note between organic and all natural products. Organics must adhere to strict standards and are certified by a governing agency, and they tend to have a longer shelf life. All natural foods have less stringent guidelines to follow, and because they are processed less than standard foods, they may expire more quickly.

So I leave you with a decision to make. In the end, only your taste buds can guide you to a final decision. But to help you make up your mind, here is an oat bran muffin recipe I use that is high in fiber, ultra low fat, and delicious, especially when made with almond milk-original, vanilla, or chocolate. They all work equally as well.

Two and one-quarter cups steel cut oat bran
One-tablespoon baking powder
One-quarter cup brown sugar
One-half cup raisins or diced apple, or raisin and diced apple mixed
One and a quarter cup almond milk
Two egg whites
Two-tablespoons corn syrup

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, divide equally into a 12-cup muffin pan lined with paper baking cups, place in preheated 425-degree oven and bake approx. 15 minutes. Test for doneness with the tip of a knife. Each muffin has about 120 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, and 4 grams of fiber. Eat within 3 days for maximum moistness.