Alomnd Milk

KBGirts

I have never tried almond milk but I've seen people talking about it on here a lot. I am curious to try it because I don't want to cut out dairy completely, but finding healthy primal/paleo alternatives would be helpful.

What brands tastes the best? Is there any other type of alternative dairy I should try? I won't do soy. Any thoughts on this?

KBGirts

I'm pretty sure it's spelled ALMOND, but I can't go back and edit the title. Oops!

twinmom01

We mainly use Almond Breeze in our house...My daughter is lactose and Casien intolerant and this provides her with at lest some calcium (although she doesn't drink by maybe 8 ounces in any given day - a little in the morning and a little with dinner)

I don't use it all that often (cause we have the vanilla sweetened) - mainly when I need some milk and dont' want to open a new can of coconut milk yet

You can buy it in shelf stable smaller packs - usually in the organic section of the grocery stores and if you are lucky you can find single serve boxes with a straw (although I have only seen them in the sweetened Vanilla and Dark Chocolate flavors)

I haven't cut dairy out completely, but I don't use it all that often either - usually some half and half for my coffee, kerrygold butter and some cheese here and there (like if i buy a cobb salad I'm eating the blue cheese )

Another option is Coconut milk - I use light coconut milk a lot in my coffee (use light because it will stay liquid in the fridge)

Soy is icky {shudder}

monkeydharma

I have never tried almond milk but I've seen people talking about it on here a lot. I am curious to try it because I don't want to cut out dairy completely, but finding healthy primal/paleo alternatives would be helpful.

Since 'dairy' is products made from animal milk (cow, goat, sheep), using a vegetarian product like almond milk has nothing to do with dairy.

What brands tastes the best? Is there any other type of alternative dairy I should try? I won't do soy. Any thoughts on this?

The best brand I've found is Trader Joes - it is creamier and has more vanilla than Almond Breeze.

That being said, I've recently stopped using it.

Why? Because I am not only primal/paleo, but also striving to live by the motto "whole foods, organically grown and simply prepared". I've realized that almond milk is not a natural food, but a manufactured food. When you have to add calcium to it in order to favorably compare it with cows milk, and fortify it with vitamins and minerals - and then add tapioca starch to it so that it's creamy like milk - it's not really a natural food at all. It's just another liquid concoction.

Coconut milk beverage is much the same. When you consider the lite coconut milk (the canned stuff) has 50 calories in 1/3 cup, and coconut milk beverage (the carton stuff) has 40 calories for a WHOLE cup, that tells you how much coconut milk is actually in it. A whole cup has maybe 1/4 cup of lite coconut milk, then it is diluted with water then thickened with starches, and then finally fortified with calcium and vitamins in order to make it seem 'healthy'.

It's my opinion that anyone trying to follow a paleo/primal/hunter/gatherer foodstyle should avoid manufactured foods like this.

As far as 'alternative dairy' goes, our household has switched entirely to goat and sheep dairy. It is more easily digested than cow, and goat and sheep are naturally pastured - you can't really feedlot them. We use goat butter, yogurt and occasionally milk; and also goat and sheep cheeses.

MrsAbles

I switch back and forth between Silk Unsweetened almond milk (35 cals./8 oz.) and Almond Breeze Unsweetened almond milk (40 cals./8 oz.) depending on price. It took a little bit to acquire the taste, but I like it.

They have versions that have vanilla flavoring and sweetening and they taste yummy, but I don't want the sugar. They have chocolate too, but I haven't tried that.

I find the choices in the display at my stores overwhelming and have come home with "the wrong kind" more than once. But I've learned to look at the big number "35" or "40" on the carton.

MrsAbles

Now I'm re-thinking my almond milk usage...hahaha! Thanks for the insight, Monkeydharma!

MrsAbles

How does goat milk taste, Norm?

I'm reminded of a funny when my son was learning to read. We were at the store, and "Schepp's" brand milk was on sale, so I stocked up. His eyes got big and he asked me, "Mama, is that really SHEEP'S milk??"

KBGirts

Since 'dairy' is products made from animal milk (cow, goat, sheep), using a vegetarian product like almond milk has nothing to do with dairy.

I know this about dairy. I just worded my question/explanation wrong....

What brands tastes the best? Is there any other type of alternative dairy I should try? I won't do soy. Any thoughts on this?
The best brand I've found is Trader Joes - it is creamier and has more vanilla than Almond Breeze.

That being said, I've recently stopped using it.

Why? Because I am not only primal/paleo, but also striving to live by the motto "whole foods, organically grown and simply prepared". I've realized that almond milk is not a natural food, but a manufactured food. When you have to add calcium to it in order to favorably compare it with cows milk, and fortify it with vitamins and minerals - and then add tapioca starch to it so that it's creamy like milk - it's not really a natural food at all. It's just another liquid concoction.

Coconut milk beverage is much the same. When you consider the lite coconut milk (the canned stuff) has 50 calories in 1/3 cup, and coconut milk beverage (the carton stuff) has 40 calories for a WHOLE cup, that tells you how much coconut milk is actually in it. A whole cup has maybe 1/4 cup of lite coconut milk, then it is diluted with water then thickened with starches, and then finally fortified with calcium and vitamins in order to make it seem 'healthy'.

It's my opinion that anyone trying to follow a paleo/primal/hunter/gatherer foodstyle should avoid manufactured foods like this.

You are so right and thanks for the insight. I may have to try the dairy from goat's milk like you said.

monkeydharma

How does goat milk taste, Norm?

I'm reminded of a funny when my son was learning to read. We were at the store, and "Schepp's" brand milk was on sale, so I stocked up. His eyes got big and he asked me, "Mama, is that really SHEEP'S milk??"

Basically, just like cows milk.

Oh, and I also use a soap made from goats milk.

Here's a good article about goat dairy....

http://www.dairygoatjournal.com/issues/83/83-4/Daniel_Peterson.html

fieldsy4life

+1 for Trader Joe's Almond Milk. Best price by far and taste.

I agree, almond milk is processed; however, I drink it because it is only 40 calories per cup. Even skim milk is double that. My protein shakes (more processed food for ya) are only 145 calories and pack 25 grams of proiten with only a couple carbs and some fat from the almonds.

newking

You could always make your own almond milk so you know what is in it.