by Ifediba Nwokedi

Created on: May 24, 2010

Almond milk is a nutritious and non-dairy alternative to regular soya milk, oat milk or rice milk. Almond milk trumps over any other non-dairy alternative with its 6 health benefits that will put you in good stead to better health. For those who want to lose weight by reducing their dairy intake, plain almond milk with no added sugar has 60calories per 8oz serving.  It has no cholesterol which bodes well for your heart and maintains a normal blood pressure level.

Diabetics are also served well because plain almond milk has only 8g of carbohydrate content and thus has a low glycemic nature. This means that the body can digest it easily.  It also contains 30% of calcium to strengthen our bones preventing diseases like osteoporosis, and 25% of Vitamin D that supports a healthy immune system and cell function. Another benefit is the high levels of vitamin E that is good for the skin through its antioxidant properties. Its moderate levels of vitamin A support good eye health by helping you to adjust to differences in light.  Last but not least, almond milk may have a low content of protein, but it contains many B vitamins like riboflavin and irons that help muscles absorb and use protein for energy, growth and repair.

The only downside to almond milk is if you happen to have an intolerance or allergy to any of the vitamins contained in almond milk. As a guide please clarify with your doctor if you are unsure or you feel any ingredient may not be appropriate during pregnancy. In addition, due to the cost of almonds, especially if they are organically grown, the average price of almond milk is much higher than other non-dairy alternative, but it is within a reasonable price.

Apart from such great health benefits, its distinct sweet and nutty taste is a welcome change to other non-dairy alternatives. It is great for coffee and tea because it does not curdle like soya milk. Many people would also like an alternative to rice milk that can be tasteless or watery, and enjoying a cafe latte will no more be ruined by the sight of curdled milk often seen when you use soya milk. It is also great with cereal and you do not have to add sugar as almond milk is sufficiently sweet and tasty on its own.  Desserts also get the extra kick with almond milk with a variety of dairy-free alternative recipes to dish up as the highlight and crowning end to a dinner party.  Just think: chocolate mousse, panacotta or homemade ice cream to your liking, inspired by your creativity. Not a dinner party stopper but my favourite is home-made almond milk rice pudding with cinnamon and sunflower margarine or delightful butter if you can tolerate dairy.

The best test to judge if almond milk deserves its rightful place as the champion of non-dairy alternatives is to have a chilled glass of almond milk and taste the difference! I recommend almond milk if you are dairy intolerant or allergic as its tastes great, it is easy to digest and it is super healthy. Well worth it!

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