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MyFitnessPal Community

Almond vs soy

GrenadeRachel

which milk is healthier/better? almond unsweetened milk or soy?

Replies

cwolfman13

I drink regular old milk myself...

"healthier/better" are very subjective terms...there is nothing inherently good or bad about either and there is nothing inherently bad about dairy unless you have an allergy.

You should look at it in RE to what is going to help you hit your calories, macros, and micros rather than trying to say "X is good" and "Y is bad"...matters of nutrition simply aren't that black and white.

beachlandia

In terms of taste, I prefer almond milk.

In terms of health, that is subjective and it depends on what YOU think is best for you

Laurend224

I drink both, but I have been drinking soy more lately because it offers more protein. Now, if the protein content isn't an issue for you, drink what you like. Cashew milk is yummy too, but like almond, not so much protein. (Makes a great vegan white russian though)

VegasFit

I prefer almond over soy Also like the fact I can buy the six pack of almond milk at Costco and the experiation date is so far out. I think all variations are healthy. Regular milk upsets my stomach.

joellenbeck17

I love Almond milk. Personally haven't tried soy. My children still prefer regular 2%milk so I typically buy both.

maggierenee88

I've read that we should be careful with soy products because they're a heavily sprayed crop. This is why I drink almond but like everyone else says it's up to you

lulucitron

Soy is a natural estrogen so I avoid consuming anything with soy if I can. I know when one of my best friends had cancer she was advised to not consume soy products from her naturopath...she was put into medical menopause as estrogen isn't a good thing with breast cancer, so that freaked me out when I heard that.

maasha81

I prefer almond. Soy can affect hormone levels so I tend to limit it

CADAVER0USB0N3S

Soy can affect your hormone levels, so some people say to have it in moderation. If you get soy milk, make sure its organic because non organic soy is highly GMO and sprayed with pesticides. Personally I don't like plain almond milk. I sometimes get a coconut/almond milk blend (Califia brand) which is pretty good and its creamy. I also drink organic cows milk. Usually when I want milk just for drinking, I'll use regular milk and use soy, almond, or coconut milk in coffees, tea, cereal etc.

yogi323

Depends on your goals. I like the taste of both. In general soy is more protein, and almond is lower calorie, so pick whichever one works better for you.

auntstephie321

I prefer almond as well, but also love flax milk, it's super creamy and makes great hot cocoa. Soy like mentioned above has high levels of estrogen which may not affect some but may be harmful to others.

bluworld

Soy does not, in fact, increase human estrogen levels, any more than the estrogen in cows milk. But, I do find that soy milk curdles in coffee, and I don't care for it unsweetened, but almond I like.

janejellyroll

Like @bluworld says, estrogen is not a problem with soy. I prefer soy for the protein, although I will also drink almond sometimes.

Justygirl77

prefer almond or coconut. But if it has the additive carrageenan in it, i have to pass it up, that's a GI irritant for many peeps including me
Love making almond milk in my blender it's so fragrant

kotarea

I personally drink the almond unsweetened milk

tsikkz

Soy tastes way better than almond

FaylinaMeir

unless you are allergic to either I think they're both fine. ALWAYS buy organic soy milk, and those commenting about almonds not being sprayed... do your research please.
I'm in the air on if soy is bad for you, I know that if I eat soy I have anxiety/panic attacks.
All in all I think almond milk tastes better, that being said, watch the sugar content and other ingredients they shove in there. Natural milk has 11g of sugar (lactose) per 8fl oz so they have to add about the same to make it taste as good. Most almond milks are made to pull people off dairy milk, so they "mimic" the taste. You can go for unsweetened if you want but at that point just buy a blender, some almonds, and blend them up with water then strain. You'll save a ton of money and pay for that blender in no time.

hgycta

I've always opted for almond because the unsweetened kind I purchase has only 30 calories per cup and 45% calcium! However, if you're concerned with protein I'd suggest soy.
Flavor wise, I like them both, so it's mainly whatever is available or I'm in the mood for. There's some controversy over soy's safety and its effects on estrogen levels, but if you buy almond milk there may be carageenan (or however it's spelled), which has also raised controversy. Keep in mind, even cow's milk raises controversy. Everything is "bad" for you, so just try them both and stick with whichever you like more! Cheers!Xx

yogi323

CADAVER0USB0N3S wrote: »

Soy can affect your hormone levels, so some people say to have it in moderation. If you get soy milk, make sure its organic because non organic soy is highly GMO and sprayed with pesticides. Personally I don't like plain almond milk. I sometimes get a coconut/almond milk blend (Califia brand) which is pretty good and its creamy. I also drink organic cows milk. Usually when I want milk just for drinking, I'll use regular milk and use soy, almond, or coconut milk in coffees, tea, cereal etc.

Actually, soy doesn't affect estrogen. Soy contains phytoestrogens which bro science is woefully confused about. What to know what else has phytoestrogen?

Alfalfa
Anise seed
Apples
Baker's yeast
Barley
Beets
Carrots
Cherries
Chickpea
Cowpeas
Cucumbers
Dates
Eggplant
Fennel
Flaxseeds
Garlic
Hops
Oats
Olive oil
Olives
Papaya
Parsley
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Pomegranates
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Red beans
Rhubarb
Rice
Sesame seeds
Split peas
Sunflower seeds
Tomatoes
Yams

Research in humans is, at best, inconclusive to the effects (If any) phytoestrogen has on the human system. Older research does link phytoestrogen intake to breast cancer rates in animals. Newer research mainly debunks that study and now hints (although, does not confirm) that phytoestrogen could actually help estrogen sensitive conditions like breast cancer.

cshankes

I perfer almond or cashew milk. I really like the creaminess of cashew milk plus the dates are longer than regular milk.

sandsofarabia

I am hearing some buzz that soy is actually not even that good for you.

Almond is the truest form of non-dairy non-carb-y milk that does taste for the most part like real milk (except you just get an aftertaste of almonds). I drank 2% my whole life and I actually prefer almond over soy after recently trying the two. I get the unsweetened almond just because its 0-1 grams of carbs and only 40 calories a cup!

It doens't hurt to try it out and maybe try soy to see what you prefer but I recommend almond milk!

GingerLolita

Unless you have a health-based reason to avoid soy, as others mentioned (and I do), it has more protein, so it's a great option especially for vegans and vegetarians. However, almond milk is lower in calories and I personally prefer the taste.

It may also depend on what you want it for. For example, I always put almond and coconut milks in my coffee (unsweetened vanilla) and have used/use soy, hemp and almond milks (unsweetened) in my oatmeal. Almond milk is also delicious with cereal.

Whichever option you go with, definitely go for the unsweetened version. The unsweetened vanilla ones can make it test better/sweeter without the extra sugar and calories. I also like to avoid ones with lots of additives such as carageenan.

astrampe

Both are gross, I just drink regular cow's milk.....

robingoblin

I can't drink regular milk and anything soy based makes me cry like a crazy person because of the phytoestrogens. I'm very sensitive. Go team almond milk! How can you beat 30 calories for a cup??

galaxyeyed

I'm a fan of soy; I get the light vanilla flavor. I tried unsweetened once...and it literally tasted like cardboard to me, I couldn't handle it

I wouldn't say one is better for you (other than the protein in soy, as mentioned), so it's just all about what tastes better to you

GrenadeRachel

I have seen a few comments saying 1% and 2% milk I wish! I'm lactose intolerant! lol plus lactose free has to much sugar for the amount I drink a day! Thank you all for your comments

BraveNewdGirl

I drink both regular skim cow's milk and chocolate almond milk. Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk is the bee's knees for protein shakes!

lulucitron

yogi323 wrote: »

CADAVER0USB0N3S wrote: »

Research in humans is, at best, inconclusive to the effects (If any) phytoestrogen has on the human system. Older research does link phytoestrogen intake to breast cancer rates in animals. Newer research mainly debunks that study and now hints (although, does not confirm) that phytoestrogen could actually help estrogen sensitive conditions like breast cancer.

She passed away 14 years ago, so research most likely has changed in that regard but I still keep well away from soy.

likehlikeo

Soy milk works way better when preparing Latte Macchiato or cappucino using a steamer. Rice/almond etc. is too thin and doesn't come out as creamy and tastes not as good (my opinion). I'm in love with Alpro light Soy, but I'm not sure, if you can buy it in the US...