This popular dairy alternative comes with some impressive health benefits.

One of the popular plant-based milk alternatives is almond milkbut is almond milk healthy?

It can be a tasty addition to many recipes, including smoothies, soups and more.

a collage featuring the milk and almonds

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Almond milk, in its most natural form, may be lacking certain key nutrients that dairy milk provides.

In addition to being low in calories, almond milk also contains monounsaturated fats.

This throw in of fat has beenassociated with weight lossand maintaining a healthy weight.

Homemade Almond Milk

And vitamin D is critical to bone health as well since it helps with calcium absorption.

Related:Oat Milk vs. Almond Milk: Which Is Healthier?

In the table above, both of the almond milks are fortified with nutrients.

a photo of EatingWell’s Coconut Milk

Almond milk made at home without fortification is unlikely to offer the same similar nutritional composition.

Sweetened almond milk contains added sugars.

Unsweetened almond milk is free from added sugars and only hasnaturally occurring sugar.

oats on a platter with milk

In fact, soy is the only plant-based milk that counts as a viable swap for cow’s milk.

Making almond milk is surprisingly simple to do.

First, combine almonds and water and let it soak overnight.

A bottles of alternative milk on an orange background

Then, strain the mixture, and there you have it!

Generally, it’s possible for you to enjoy almond milk in the same ways as dairy milk.

Both almond milk and dairy milk offer nutritional advantages.

a photo of a woman drinking a glass of milk

Dairy milk and plant-based alternatives could be a great option to support your overall health.

There are some potential downsides to drinking almond milk, especially if its sweetened and not fortified with micronutrients.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Bottle of oat milk and plate of oat flakes

Economic Research Service.Plant-based products replacing cow’s milk, but the impact is small.

  1. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2024.06.003

National Institutes of Health.

Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin E.

Magkos F.Is calorie restriction beneficial for normal-weight individuals?

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A narrative review of the effects of weight loss in the presence and absence of obesity.Nutr Rev.

2022;80(7):1811-1825. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuac006

National Institutes of Health.

Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin A.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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FoodData Central.Almond milk, unsweetened.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

FoodData Central.Almond milk, sweetened.

Banana Oatmeal

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

FoodData Central.Milk, reduced-fat (2%).

U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

a side by side of coconut milk and coconut water

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winning oat milks placed on countertop

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