Are you avoiding cows’ milk and want a really good plant-based milk beverage like cashew milk, almond milk, soymilk, coconut milk, rice milk, or oat milk? Mamavation looked into the ingredients of the most popular plant-based “milk” beverages and is reporting back on which products are the best for your family. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest cookware without PFAS and nanomaterials, safest ketchup sans PFAS, & best & worst green beauty makeup sans PFAS, now join us as we bring you the best & worst plant-based milk beverages including cashew, almond, soy, coconut, rice, oat, & specialty beverages.
Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. This post also contains affiliate links.
Table of Contents
Increased Need for Plant-Based “Milk” Beverages–Almond, Soy, Cashew, Coconut, Rice, Oat, & Other Specialty Beverages
Consumers are reaching for more plant-based milk and organic milk in general. Whether you call them nut milks, plant milks, non-dairy milks, plant based beverages, or milk substitute, the last decade has seen a major increase in demand and sales. The most common “milks” are soymilk, almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, and coconut milk. But there are other varieties: hazelnut milk, quinoa milk, macadamia nut milk, peanut milk, banana milk, pistachio milk & pea milk.
Sales of non-dairy beverages are expected to reach $19.67 billion globally by 2023, which is an annual rate of 12% growth. As this has happened conventional dairy sales have declined. Dairy-free milk and its varying texture and ingredient lists are on the rise.
Allergies & Sensitivities Fuel The Increase in Plant-Based “Milk” Beverages like Almond, Soy, Cashew, Coconut, Rice, Oat & Hemp
According to research in 2019, over 6.1 million Americans, including children, are allergic to dairy in the United States. This is the primary driver for the increase in plant-based “milk” beverages. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, in terms of children, the prevalence of food allergies increase by 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. Today 1 in 13 children in a classroom have a food allergy. This is basically 2 per classroom. Milk allergy is the most common food allergy for children and infants.
Allergic reactions vary from life threatening reactions to skin reactions like hives, projectile vomit, or severe diarrhea. Each person reacts differently so please talk to your doctor about symptoms. These types of allergies have fueled dairy-free, gluten-free, nut free for nut allergy, and many other “free-from” foods.
Lactose Intolerance Also Fuels Demand For Plant-Based “Milks”
People who are lactose intolerant are unable to digest milk sugars. This is different than a milk allergy or sensitivity when one is unable to digest milk protein. Approximately 25% of Americans (especially older Americans) and 65% of the global population is lactose intolerant, or lactase inconsistent. The degree to which lactose intolerant individuals have the lactase enzyme differs from person to person, which is why some people can consume other types of dairy products with less lactose. For instance, some people cannot digest milk but are just fine around cheese or yogurt.
Lactose intolerance is defined as a syndrome of diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain directly after the ingestion of dairy milk sugar lactose. This is a direct result of the decreased amount of enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose in the body.
Consumers Also Prefer the Sweeter Taste of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives to Regular Milk
In terms of the more recent growth of plant-based beverages, the sweeter taste is the driving factor for those who purchase them. The sweeter taste, mostly had by plant-based beverages is due to added sweeteners. This is not a healthy aspect of these products. Most people are not picking up unsweetened versions of these “milks”, which is their healthiest form, but are opting for the ones with added sweeteners and other flavors, which can be synthetic and derived from petroleum ingredients. Trends of adding these “milks” to smoothies have also increased.
Vegan and Vegetarian Lifestyles are on the Rise Among Millenials and Generation Z Fueling Demand for Plant-Based “Milk” Alternatives
Millennial lifestyles selecting food products that focus on animal welfare has also driven the fast growth of plant-based “milk” beverages. There is also an increase in vegan lifestyles that reject the exploitation dairy cows. Here are some examples of what dairy cows have to withstand:
- Repeated cycles of impregnation;
- Removal of baby calves from their mothers in order to harvest their milk;
- Selective breeding for high milk production;
- Placing dairy cows in an environment that breeds disease and bad health, and
- The environmental impact “factory farms” have on the Planet
This is a rejection of cows’ milk and the carbon footprint that goes with it.
Factory Farmed Dairy Operations Contribute to Climate Change
The carbon footprint of the meat & dairy industry is quite large. Cattle produce more greenhouse gases worldwide than any other agricultural source. Every year, a single cow belches about 220 lbs. of methane. Granted, that methane is short lived in the atmosphere, but it’s 28 times more potent.
No one is really arguing that factory-farmed dairy is contributing to greenhouse gases, but there is lots of debate about which system of dairy products is better for the environment: plant-based “milks” vs. organic milk.
If we are talking about factory-farmed dairy operations, it’s clear that system of producing milk is a significant producer of localized pollution, climate change, and the pollution of water resources. However, proponents of organic milk claim that the organic system is more sustainable because ruminants are less gassy because of their mostly grass diet, which contributes to soil health that also captures carbon long term, and requires less petroleum-based chemical useage.
Regardless of how you feel about the subject, there are some differences to acknowledge.
Hidden Nutritional Dangers in Plant-Based “Milk” Beverages
Because of the popularity of plant-based “milk” beverages, there are now more problematic brands producing milk that are full of ingredients that are not “healthy” or beneficial. When you purchase these “milk” substitutes, make sure to watch out for the following.
- Artificial Colors & Flavors: There are about 2,500 chemicals approved as flavoring substances approved by the Food & Drug Administration. These synthetic colors and flavors are made from petroleum and are prohibited in organic food. Some of these flavors are produced using propane and hexane. These ingredients can also have health risks associated with them based on the ingredients they are made with and processed with.
- Caraganeen: Caraganeen has been described as “poison ivy of the ocean” because it is known to irritate the gut just like poison ivy irritates the skin. There are many types of carrageen, but all the studies that have been done to show they are safe have been done using ??. No independent study on carrageen has demonstrated safety. Caraganeen is a seaweed extract that food manufacturers add to processed foods to create a fatty mouthfeel in low-fat and non-fat products. Most organic food companies have voluntarily taken carrageen out of their products.
- Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is a thickening agent made by fermenting yeast derived from corn or sugar. This ingredient has been linked to colitis and other types of digestive disorders.
- Soy Lecithin: Soy lecithin is made from soy and when not organic has been extracted from crops that have received harsh chemical treatment from solvents, like hexane, and genetically modified to withstand glyphosate, a “probable carcinogen” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Vegetable Oils: Many plant-based beverages include some type of oil and lots of times that’s conventional vegetable oil, which is produced with soybean and canola oil. These crops, when not organic, are typically derived from genetically modified crops that have been modified to withstand glyphosate, which is considered a “probable carcinogen” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Added Sweeteners: The added sugar content to plant-based beverages can be pretty extreme and similar to what you see in fruit juice and soda. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to Type 2 Diabetes, which, if unmanaged can lead to problems with other organs like the heart, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. Conversely, the natural sugar in cow’s milk does not present the same concern because natural protein and fat slow the absorption of sugar which makes it lower on the glycemic index.
- Pesticide Residue: Most plant-based beverages are derived from agricultural plants that have heavy usage of synthetic pesticides & fertilizers. Residue from these practices can persist in plant-based beverages. Even if the base of the “milk” is not corn or soy, the thickeners and preservatives can be based on crops that have heavy pesticide usage. To avoid this, ensure your product is organic.
- Special Precautions for Parents: Because most plant-based beverages are not equivalent to the nutrition of cow’s milk, some major precautions have to be taken in order to give children a balanced diet. For instance, Rickets has been witnessed in children with Vitamin D deficiencies that are not given cow’s milk but are given soy-based alternatives instead. Another example is Kwashiorkor has been observed in children who were fed rice-based “milk” instead of cow’s milk. This disease is a form of severe protein malnutrition. Furthermore, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher dairy product intake during adolescence has a lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Please talk to your pediatrician before giving plant-based alternatives to children as part of their diet.
Types of Plant-Based “Milk” Beverages–Almond, Soy, Cashew, Coconut, Rice, Oat, & Other Specialty Beverages
We’ve broken down for you the vast majority of plant-based “milk” beverages and what their nutritional composition looks like and what the basic challenges are when searching for the best product for your family. You’ll get their protein content, calories, fat, and carbohydrates. You’ll also be informed of special nutritional benefits like minerals, potassium, the likelihood of added vitamin d, or vitamin b12, and warnings on health impacts.
- Almond “Milk” Beverages: One cup of unsweetened almond “milk” beverage contains 30-35 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein, and 1-2 grams of carbohydrates. Almond milk is an excellent source of Vitamin E, antioxidants, and healthy fats. These products are typically fortified with synthetic vitamins because when they are blanched and processed, some natural nutrition is lost. One carton of almond milk can sell for $3.99 and is made from $0.39 worth of almonds. If not organic, almonds may be pasteurized by fumigant Propylene Oxide (PPO) which is a toxic chemical and probable carcinogen according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Soymilk Beverages: One cup of unsweetened soymilk beverage contains 130 calories, 4 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and 17 carbohydrates. Calcium-fortified soymilk is the closest plant-based milk to the nutrition of cow’s milk. Conventional soy beverages are made with genetically modified soy that has been modified to withstand the chemical application of glyphosate, a “problable carcinogen” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Cashew “Milk” Beverages: One cup of unsweetened cashew “milk” beverage contains 25-50 calories, 2-4 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein, and 2 grams of carbohydrates. When cashew are processed into milk, nutrients are lost and must be added by through fortification.
- Coconut “Milk” Beverages: One cup of unsweetened coconut milk contains 45 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 protein, and 0 carbohydrates. Coconut milk is a good source of fiber. It does not naturally contain protein, calcium, Vitamin A, or Vitamin D and thus is typically fortified. Coconut milk also is very likely to have added thickeners such as caraganeen.
- Rice “Milk” Beverages: One cup of unsweetened ricemilk contains 140 carlories, 3 grams of fat, 1 ram of protein, and 38 grams of carbohydrates. Although it’s considered the least allergenic of the plant-based milks, it’s also very high in sugar and can spike blood sugar levels. Inorganic arsenic is also a problem in rice because of the application of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and the plant’s ability to uptake inorganic arsenic over time. Thus, because inorganic arsenic is a known human carcinogen, these amounts must be considered when drinking rice milk.
- Oat “Milk” Beverages: One cup of unsweetened oatmilk contains 170 calories, 5 grams of fat, 3 grams of protein, and 29 grams of carbohydrates. Oat milk typically contains additives, such as gums & salt, however it’s high in fiber and that acts to lower blood sugar. One warning about conventional oats is they are a source of higher glyphosate & other pesticide residue, so organic is a safer selection.
- Hemp “Milk” Beverages: One cup of unsweetened hempmilk contains 80-100 calories, 8 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein, and 1 gram of carbohydrates. Hemp milk typically contains thickeners and is fortified with synthetic vitamins and minderals. It also contains about 1.25 tablespoons of hemp seeds per cup. Hemp milk is also a good source of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, while also delivering small amounts of lysine and BCAA leucine.
Cornucopia’s Plant-Based Beverage Study & Rating System
Cornucopia’s consumer guide on plant-based “milk” beverages called Pouring Over Plant-Based Beverages: A Consumers Guide to Identifying the Best Non-Milk Alternatives was used to create our rankings. Each plant-based “milk” beverage was ranked with the following considerations:
- USDA Certified Organic
- Brand Commitment to Organic
- Ingredients of Product
- Use of carrageen, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, thickeners/gums, lecithin, & vegetable oils
- The Amount of Sugar
- Use of GMOs
Using these criteria, they scored each product and the most any product received was 1,850 points. The least amount of points a product received was 0 points.
- 5 star rankings were from 1850 to 1500 possible points
- 4 star rankings were from 1470 to 1110 possible points
- 3 star rankings were from 1105 to 740 possible points
- 2 star rankings were from 730 to 380 possible points
- 1 star ranking was from 350 to 0 possible points
Mamavation’s Investigation on Plant-Based “Milk” Beverages (Including Almond, Soy, Cashew, Coconut, Rice, Oat, & Specialty Beverages)
Mamavation went through Cornucopia’s ranking of plant-based “milk” alternative beverages and pulled their rankings into our own. The “Not our favorite” ranking were products that ranked between 1-2 stars. The “better” ranking represented products that scored 3-4 stars, and the “best” ranking were products that ranked 5 stars. We also drew attention to how each specific product ranked in case you wanted to know.
Not Our Favorite Plant-Based “Milk” Beverages–Almonds, Soy, Cashew, Coconut, Rice, Oats & Specialty Blends & Hemp
Each plant-based “milk” beverage here ranked between 1-2 stars. None of these brands were organic, which means they may have higher levels of pesticide residue. The ingredients of these products were of poor quality containing lots of things like caraganeen, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, thickeners/gums, lecithin, & vegetable oils. They are likely to have a higher amount of sugar and be derived from genetically modified crops and other ingredients.
Not Our Favorite Almond Milk Beverage
- Blue Diamond Almond, Unsweetened Original (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond, Unsweetened Vanilla (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond, Original (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond, Reduced Sugar, Original (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond, Hint of Honey (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond, Unsweetened Chocolate (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond, Vanilla (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond, Chocolate (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond, Reduced Sugar, Vanilla (2)
- Califia Farms Almond, Unsweetened (2)
- Califia Farms Almond, Original (2)
- Califia Farms Almond, Barista Blend (2)
- Califia Farms Almond, Vanilla (2)
- Califia Farms Concentrated Cold Brew Almondmilk (2)
- Dream Almond, Pumpkin Spice (2)
- Dream Almond, Boosted (2)
- Dream Almond, Unsweetened (2)
- Dream Ultimate Almond, Original (2)
- Dream Ultimate Almond, Vanilla (2)
- Full Circle Almond, Unsweetened Vanilla (2)
- Full Circle Almond, Original (2)
- Full Circle Almond, Vanilla (2)
- Friendly Farms Almond, Original, Unsweetened (2)
- Friendly Farms Almond, Vanilla (2)
- Harris Teeter Almond, Unsweetened (2)
- Harris Teeter Almond, Chocolate (2)
- Harris Teeter Almond, Unsweetened Vanilla (2)
- Harris Teeter Almond, Original (2)
- Harris Teeter Almond, Vanilla (1)
- Lucerne Almond, Unsweetened (2)
- Lucerne Almond, Vanilla (2)
- Lucerne Almond, Chocolate (1)
- Natura-a-Almond, Unsweetened Vanilla (2)
- Natura-a-Almond, Unsweetened (2)
- Natura-a-Almond, Chocolate (2)
- Natura-a-Almond, Vanilla (2)
- Nature’s Place Almond, Original (2)
- Nature’s Place Almond, Unsweetened, Vanilla (2)
- Nature’s Promise Almond, Original, Unsweetened (2)
- Nature’s Promise Almond, Unsweetened (2)
- Nature’s Promise Almond, Unsweetened, Vanilla (1)
- Nature’s Promise Almond, Original Vanilla
- Silk Almond, Dark Chocolate (2)
- Silk Almond, Light Original (2)
- Silk Almond, Light Vanilla (2)
- Silk Almond, Vanilla (2)
- Silk Almond, Original (2)
- Simple Truth Almond, Original (2)
- Simple Truth Almond, Vanilla (2)
- Simple Truth Almond, Unsweetened (2)
- Simple Truth Almond, Chocolate (2)
- So Delicious Almond, Unsweetened (2)
- So Delicious Almond, Vanilla (2)
- Trader Joe’s Almond, Unsweetened, Original (2)
- Trader Joe’s Almond, Unsweetened, Vanilla (2)
- Trader Joe’s Almond, Blueberry Lavender (2)
- Trader Joe’s Almond, Matcha (2)
- Wild Harvest Almond, Unsweetened Original (2)
Not Our Favorite Soy Milk Beverage
- 8th Continent Soy, Vanilla (1)
- 8th Continent Soy, Original (1)
- Pacific Foods Soy, Ultra Vanilla (2)
- Pacific Foods Soy, Ultra, Original (2)
- Silk Soymilk, Very Vanilla (2)
- Silk Soymilk, Original (2)
- Silk Soymilk, Chocolate (2)
- Silk Soymilk, Light Vanilla (2)
- Silk Soymilk, Vanilla (2)
- Silk Soymilk, Light Original (2)
- Sunrise Soya Soy, Light (2)
- Trader Joe’s Soymilk, Unsweetened, Original (2)
- WestSoy, Non-fat, Plain (2)
- WestSoy, Non-fat, Vanilla (2)
Not Our Favorite Cashew Milk Beverage
- Silk Cashew, Unsweetened Vanilla (2)
- Silk Cashew, Unsweetened (2)
- Silk Cashew, Original (2)
- Silk Cashew, Chocolate (2)
Not Our Favorite Coconut Milk Beverage
- Dream Coconut, Unsweetened, Enriched (2)
- Dream Coconut, Vanilla Enriched (2)
- Dream Coconut, Original Enriched (2)
- Dream Coconut, Boosted (2)
- Full Circle Coconut, Unsweetened (2)
- Silk Coconut, Unsweetened (2)
- Silk Coconut, Original (2)
- Simple Truth Coconut, Unsweetened (2)
- Simple Truth Coconut, Original (1)
- Trader Joe’s Coconut, Vanilla (2)
- Vita Coco Coconut, Original (2)
- Vita Coco Coconut, Vanilla (2)
Not Our Favorite Rice Milk Beverage
- Dream Rice, Chocolate Enriched (2)
- Dream Rice, Horchata (1)
- Dream Rice, Nog (1)
- Pacific Foods Rice, Vanilla (2)
Not Our Favorite Oat Milk Beverage
- Oat-ly Oat, Chocolate (2)
- Oat Malk Original Organic (Mamavation found high levels of arsenic)
- Silk Original Oat Deliciously Creamy (Mamavation found glyphosate residue)
Not Our Favorite Blended/Specialty Milk Beverage
- Blue Diamond Almond/Coconut Unsweetened Vanilla (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond/Coconut, Unsweetened, Original (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond/Cashew, Unsweetened, Vanilla (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond/Coconut, Original (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond/Cashew, Vanilla (2)
- Blue Diamond Almond/Cashew, Original (2)
- Bolthouse Farms Plant, Unsweetened (2)
- Bolthouse Farms Plant, Original (2)
- Bolthouse Farms Plant, Vanilla (1)
- Bolthouse Farms Plant, Chocolate (1)
- Califia Farms Almond, Toasted Coconut (2)
- Califia Farms Toasted Oats & Almond (2)
- Califia Farms Almond, Chocolate Coconut (2)
- Dream Blend, Coconut/Almond/Chia, Unsweetened (2)
- Dream Blend, Almond/Cashew/Hazelnut, Unsweetened (2)
- Dream Blend, Coconut/Almond/Chia, Original (2)
- Dream Blend, Almond/Cashew/Hazelnut, Original (1)
- Good Karma Flax, Vanilla plus Protein (2)
- Good Karma Flax, Unsweetened plus Omega-3 & Protein (2)
- Good Karma Flax Milk, Original, Unsweetened (2)
- Good Karma Flax Milk, Vanilla (2)
- Good Karma Flax Milk, Original (2)
- Milkidamia, Unsweetened (2)
- Natura-a-Almond/Coconut (2)
- Pacific Foods Hazelnut, Chocolate (2)
- Pacific Foods Hemp, Chocolate (2)
- Ripple Pea, Unsweetened, Vanilla (2)
- Ripple Pea, Unsweetened, Original (2)
- Ripple Pea, Vanilla (2)
- Ripple Pea, Chocolate (2)
- Ripple Pea, Original (2)
- Silk Almond/Coconut, Original (2)
- Suzie’s Quinoa, Vanilla (2)
- Tempt/Living Hemp, Unsweetened (2)
- Tempt/Living Harvest Hemp, Unsweetened, Vanilla (2)
- Tempt/Living Harvest Hemp, Original (2)
- Tempt/Living Harvest Hemp, Chocolate (2)
- Tempt/Living Harvest Hemp, Original, Vanilla (2)
- Tempt/Living Harvest Hemp/Coconut, Unsweetened (2)
- Tempt/Living Harvest Hemp/Coconut, Original (2)
- Trader Joe’s Almond/Cashew/Macadamia, Unsweetened (2)
Better Plant-Based “Milk” Beverages — Almonds, Soy, Cashew, Coconut, Rice, Oats & Specialty Blends & Hemp
Each plant-based “milk” beverage ranked between 3-4 stars. Some but not all of these products are organic. They have a higher quality of ingredients than the 1 rank, but you may see some caraganeen, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, thickeners/gums, lecithin, & vegetable oils. They are likely to have a higher amount of sugar.
Better Almond Milk Beverage
- 365 Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla (4)
- 365 Almond, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- 365 Almond, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Beber Almond, Chocolate (4)
- Beber Almond, Honey Vanilla (4)
- Beber Almond, Lavender (4)
- Dream Ultimate Almond, Unsweetened (3)
- Elmhurst Almond (3)
- O Organics Almond, Vanilla (4)
- O Organics Almond, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- O Organics Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla (4)
- Orgain Almond, Organic, Lightly Sweetened Vanilla (4)
- Orgain Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla (4)
- Cadia Almond, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Cadia Almond, Organic (4)
- Full Circle Almond, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Kirkland Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla (4)
- Pacific Foods Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Original (4)
- Pacific Foods Almond, Organic, Chocolate (4)
- Pacific Foods Almond, Organic, Original (4)
- Pacific Foods Almond, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Pacific Foods Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla (4)
- President’s Choice Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla (3)
- President’s Choice Almond, Organic, Unsweetened (3)
- Silk Almond, Organic (4)
- Silk Almond, Unsweetened Original (3)
- Silk Almond, Unsweetened Vanilla (3)
- SimplyNature Almond, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Simple Truth Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla (4)
- Simple Truth Almond, Organic (4)
- Simple Truth Almond, Organic, Chocolate (4)
- So Delicious Almond, Organic, Original (4)
- So Delicious Almond, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- So Delicious Almond, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- So Nice Almond, Unsweetened (3)
- So Nice Almond, Vanilla (3)
- So Nice Almond, Original (3)
- Wild Harvest Almond, Vanilla (3)
Better Soy Milk Beverage
- 365 Soy Milk, Organic, Unsweetened, Original (4)
- 365 Soy Milk, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- 365 Soy Milk, Organic, Light Vanilla (4)
- Dream Soy, Organic, Original (4)
- Dream Soy, Organic, Vanilla
- Dream Soy, Organic, Vanilla Enriched (3)
- Dream Soy, Organic, Original Enriched (3)
- EdenSoy, Organic, Vanilla, Fortified (4)
- EdenSoy, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Full Circle Soymilk, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Full Circle Soymilk, Organic, Original (4)
- Greenwise Soymilk, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Greenwise Soymilk, Organic, Plain (4)
- Harris Teeter Soy, Organic, Vanilla (3)
- Harris Teeter Soy, Organic, Original (3)
- Kirkland Soy, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Kirkland Soy, Organic (4)
- Natur-a-Soy, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Natur-a-Soy, Organic, Vanilla Light (4)
- Natur-a-Soy, Organic (4)
- Natur-a-Soy, Organic, Original Light (4)
- Natur-a-Soy, Organic, Cappuccino (4)
- Natur-a-Soy, Vanilla (4)
- Natur-a-Soy, Organic, Original Chocolate (4)
- Natur-a-Soy, Organic, Strawberry (4)
- Nature’s Promise Soy, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Nature’s Promise Soy, Original, Organic (4)
- Nature’s Promise Soy, Organic, Unsweetened (3)
- Nature’s Place Soy, Organic, Plain (4)
- Nature’s Place Soy, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- O Organics Soy, Organic, Light Vanilla (4)
- O Organics Soy, Organic, Light Plain (4)
- O Organics Soy, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- O Organics Soy, Organic, Plain (4)
- Pacific Foods Soy, Select, Original (4)
- Pacific Foods Soy, Select, Vanilla (4)
- Pearl Soymilk, Organic, Chocolate (4)
- Pearl Soymilk, Organic, Creamy Vanilla (4)
- Pearl Soymilk, Organic, Original (4)
- Pearl Soymilk, Organic, Coffee (4)
- Pearl Soymilk, Organic, Green Tea (4)
- Pearl Soymilk, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Silk Soymilk, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Silk Soymilk, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Simple Truth Soy, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Simple Truth Soy, Organic, Chocolate (4)
- Simple Truth Soy, Organic, Light Vanilla (4)
- Simple Truth Soy, Organic, Plain (4)
- Simple Truth Soy, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- SimplyNature Soy, Organic, Original (4)
- So Nice Soy, Vanilla (4)
- So Nice Soy, Unsweetened (3)
- So Nice Soy, Original (3)
- Sunrich Naturals Soy, Organic (4)
- Sunrich Naturals Soy, Organic, Chocolate (3)
- Sunrich Naturals Soy, Organic, Vanilla (3)
- Sunrich Soy, Calcium Plus (3)
- Sunrich Soy, Cafe Expert (3)
- Sunrise Soya Soy, Unsweetened (3)
- Sunrise Soya Soy, Organic, Sweetened (3)
- Tofu Shop Soy, Natural Unflavored (4)
- Tofu Shop Soy, Vanilla (4)
- Tofu Shop Soy, Ginger (4)
- Trader Joe’s Soymilk, Organic, Vanilla (3)
- WestSoy, Organic, Unsweetened, Vanilla (4)
- WestSoy, Organic Plus, Vanilla (3)
- WestSoy, Organic Plus, Plain (3)
- WestSoy, Low Fat, Plain (3)
- WestSoy, Low Fat, Vanilla (3)
- Wild Harvest Soy, Organic, Chocolate (4)
- Wild Harvest Soy, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Wild Harvest Soy, Organic, Original (4)
- Wildwood Soy, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Wildwood Soy, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Wildwood Soy, Organic, Original (4)
Better Cashew Milk Beverage
- Dream Cashew, Original (3)
- Dream Cashew, Unsweetened (3)
- Elmhurst Cashew (3)
- Pacific Foods Cashew, Made with Organic, Original (4)
- Pacific Foods Cashew, Made with Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla (4)
- Pacific Foods Cashew, Made with Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- So Delicious Cashew, Unsweetened (3)
- So Delicious Cashew, Vanilla (3)
Better Coconut Milk Beverage
- Califia Farms (Go Coconuts” Coconut, Water Blend) (3)
- Nature’s Place Coconut Lite, Organic (4)
- Nature’s Place Coconut, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Pacific Foods Coconut, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Pacific Foods Coconut, Organic, Original (4)
- Pacific Foods Coconut, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla (4)
- So Delicious Coconut, Organic, Original (4)
- So Delicious Coconut, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- So Delicious Coconut, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- So Delicious Coconut, Chocolate (3)
- So Delicious Coconut, Original, Sugar-Free (3)
- Trader Joe’s Coconut, Unsweetened (3)
Better Rice Milk Beverage
- 365 Rice, Organic, Unsweetened (3)
- 365 Rice, Organic, Vanilla (3)
- BRAT Rice, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- BRAT Rice, Organic (4)
- BRAT Rice, Organic, Chocolate Honey (4)
- Dream Rice, Organic, Original Enriched (4)
- Dream Rice, Organic, Original (4)
- Dream Rice, Organic, Unsweetened Enriched (3)
- Dream Rice, Organic, Sprouted Enriched (3)
- Dream Rice, Vanilla
- Dream Rice, Vanilla Enriched (3)
- Elmhurst Brown Rice (3)
- Natur-a-Rice, Original (4)
- Natur-a-Rice, Vanilla (3)
- Pacific Foods Rice, Original (3)
- Trader Joe’s Rice, Organic (4)
Better Oat Milk Beverage
- Elmhurst Oats (3)
- Minor Figures, Organic Oat (4)
- Natural By Nature Oat, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Natural By Nature Oat, Organic, Vanilla (4)
- Oat-ly Oat, Low Fat (3)
- Oat-ly Oat, Barista (3)
- Oat-ly Oat, Original (3)
- Pacific Foods Oat, Organic, Original (4)
- Pacific Foods Oat, Organic, Vanilla (4)
Better Blended/ Specialty Milk Beverage
- 365 Flax, Organic, Vanilla (3)
- Dream Blend, Rice & Quinoa, Organic, Unsweetened (4)
- Dream Blend, Rice & Quinoa, Organic, Original (4)
- Elmhurst Hazelnuts (3)
- Elmhurst Peanuts (3)
- Elmhurst Peanuts with Chocolate (3)
- Elmhurst Walnut milk (3)
- Pacific Foods Hazelnut, Unsweetened Vanilla (3)
- Pacific Foods Hazelnut, Unsweetened Original (3)
- Pacific Foods Hazelnut, Original (3)
- Pacific Foods Hemp, Original (3)
- Pacific Foods Hemp, Original, Unsweetened (3)
- Pacific Foods Hemp, Unsweetened Vanilla (3)
- Silk Almond/Coconut, Unsweetened (3)
- So Nice Almond/Coconut, Unsweetened (3)
- Suzie’s Quinoa, Unsweetened (3)
Best Plant-Based “Milk” Beverages –Almonds, Soy, Cashew, Coconut, Rice, Oats & Specialty Blends & Hemp
Each plant-based “milk” beverage ranked 5 stars. These products are mostly organic, which means they should not have any pesticide residue. These products should not contain caraganeen, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, thickeners/gums, lecithin, & vegetable oils. They are likely to have a lower amount of sugar and will NOT be derived from genetically modified crops and other ingredients.
Best Almond Milk Beverage
- Beber Almond, Pure
- Califia Farms Almond, “Homestyle”, Certified Organic
- Malk Almond, Organic, Unsweetened
- Malk Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla
- Mooala Almond, Organic, Vanilla
- Mooala Almond, Organic
- New Barn Almond, Organic, Unsweetened
- New Barn Almond, Original
- New Barn Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla
- Three Trees Almond, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla
- Three Trees Almond, Organic, Unsweetened
Best Soy Milk Beverage
- EdenSoy, Organic, Unsweetened
- EdenSoy, Organic, Original
- EdenSoy Original, Organic, Fortified
- EdenSoy, Organic, Carob
- EdenSoy, Organic, Cocoa
- Pacific Foods Soy, Organic, Unsweetened
- Sunrise Soy, Organic, Sweetened
- Sunrise Soy, Organic, Original
- Tofu Shop Soy, Chocolate
- Trader Joe’s Soymilk, Organic, Unsweetened
- WestSoy, Organic, Unsweetened
- WestSoy, Organic, Original
Best Cashew Milk Beverage
- Califia Farms Cashew, “Homestyle,” Organic
- Califia Farms Coconut, “Homestyle,” Organic
- Malk Cashew, Organic, Unsweetened
- Forager Cashew, Organic, Unsweetened
- Forager Cashew, Organic, Original
Best Coconut Milk Beverage
- 365 Coconut Lite, Organic
- Native Forest Coconut, Organic
- Native Forest Coconut Light, Organic
Best Rice Milk Beverage
- Kirkland Rice, Organic
Best Pecan Milk Beverage
- Malk Maple Pecan, Organic
Best Blended or Specialty Milk Beverage
- Forager Coconut/Cashew, Organic, Unsweetened
- Forager Coconut/Cashew, Organic, Unsweetened Vanilla
- Mooala Chocolate Banana, Organic
- Mooala Strawberry Bananamilk, Organic
I started to follow the recommendations here and went to the store but when I picked up the various brands, I realized they all have “filtered water” and I realized that this review did not test for p/ f-a-s. After reading your review of water filters we bought one and love it. It’s a great feeling not to worry about ingesting p/ f-a-s in our water. But now it’s hitting me that I don’t want to ingest any products that have water in their ingredients (coconut water, these plant milks, etc). Bummer but nope to these plant milks has to be our health rule.
I went to the store and made a list of your recommendations here but when I got there and looked at the ingredients I realized they all used “filtered water,” which made me to back and look at your review. I saw that this review did not test for pfas. We just bought your reviewed Clearly Filtered water filter (from water filter reviews) and love it because it filters out pfas that our local government water plants do not. It has made me super conscious of store products that contain water, knowing that if it has water in it, it definitely has pfas in it. So unfortunately, these plant milks are a nope for me as I do not want to ingest pfas. We also stopped drinking juices, coconut water, coconut smoothies etc, etc as all have water : ( it’s a bummer but we have to protect our health. No plant milks for us : (
I went to the store and made a list of your recommendations here but when I got there and looked at the ingredients I realized they all used “filtered water,” which made me to back and look at your review. I saw that this review did not test for pfas. We just bought your reviewed Clearly Filtered water filter (from water filter reviews) and love it because it filters out pfas that our local government water plants do not. It has made me super conscious of store products that contain water, knowing that if it has water in it, it definitely has pfas in it. So unfortunately, these plant milks are a nope for me as I do not want to ingest pfas. We also stopped drinking juices, coconut water, coconut smoothies etc, etc as all have water : ( it’s a bummer but we have to protect our health. No plant milks for us : (
I started to use these plant milk recommendations and went to the store to buy one but when I saw that the ingredients on them all listed “filtered water,” I realized that this review did not test for pfas that may be in that water and therefore, in all these plant based milks. Nope, nope, nope for me. We just bought a Clearly Filtered water filter as recommended by you (in water filter review) to filter out pfas and we love it. It has made me so aware of products out there that use water, even juices and coconut water/smoothies that we used to buy. It’s a bummer, but I won’t buy these store products anymore knowing that the water they use WILL have pfas in it. No plant milks for me unfortunately : (
I’m shocked that you’re still telling to cow methane narrative. Plant milks are the biggest scam, I get it if you have an allergy but most of them are heavily processed food with terrible ingredients, high in row crop grains and nuts. Choosing a milk alternative is great for those who need it but as a “green” lifestyle choice? I don’t think so.
This Mooala almond milk that is recommended has Gellan Gum, which according to EWG isn’t bad – but – this Mooala almond doesn’t but says, “No Gums, No Oils, No Fillers, Unsweetened, Non-GMO, No Additives, Dairy Free Plant Based Milk.
My question is, why this one is not on the BEST list, to me this one looks better than the one sited above.
Any comments?
The best milk is from grass fed cows and/or goats. Look for a local farmer in your area. You will need to lease a cow and/or goat and you can purchase on a weekly basis. This is why your kids have issues with milk in the store as they are considered dead milk with zero nutrition. If you must buy milk from a store, buy Kalona milk, cream, cottage cheese as this is very low pasteurization. In addition, if your kids have issues with milk, food allergies, etc…, please read a book called The Gut and Psychology Syndrome, by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. I had allergies, asthma and rosacea, followed by diet and I no longer have these issues. Today, I still follow the diet after over 10 years. I hope you all find this helpful and good luck.
Love Kalona products
I appreciate the thoroughness of your research and the comprehensive list you’ve compiled. From almond and soy to oat and coconut, you’ve covered the entire spectrum of plant-based milk, leaving no soybean unturned or almond uncrushed!
Thank you for being a valuable resource for those of us looking to make healthier and more sustainable choices. Your dedication to providing this information is truly commendable. Greetings from Germany!
I so appreciate what you are doing. This stuff is a minefield and so time consuming to figure out.
Is there a way you can make your list cross reference your other lists? I noticed some items that were best in one BPAs might also contain lead, so this is confusing. Could you list the products you personally use also?
Hi! What fortified plant milk is best? My daughter had a dairy allergy which is why we have to seek other milks. None of the best seems to be fortified. Since she can’t have dairy, it’s hard to find sources of calcium. Is there a good plant based milk that is calcium fortified?
I too am looking for the best Oat Milk..
There are repeated misspellings of carrageenan in this article. Not a good look, especially when you’re trying to convey important information. (Carrageenan is worth avoiding, for sure.)
I’m pretty sure you’re literally the only person who noticed this/and cares….also pretty sure most people are skimming to get information not focusing on every single word for spelling. *rolls eyes*
I care about this. Bad editing gets under my skin 😐
Also would like you to include plant base milk that can be given to toddlers. As far I know only ripple for kids. Would like to know more alternatives
We use Kiki milk but I would pay good money to know how it tests!
The concept is really great. I liked it a lot !
Best oat milk? I recently switched to MALK and I’m loving it. Only 3 ingredients. Water, oats and salt.
Also, what is the better/best brand of Pistachio milk?
Mamvation did review OatMalk(in a separate review)-it had some issues- i thought it would be the best too, because it has only 3 ingredients- but, it didn’t pass- you should check it out.
Need a best oat milk option! Can you review Sown Unsweetened oat creamer?
You did not list gellan gum as a bad additive. I started having intestinal problems and then noticed that my pancreatic enzymes had started adding gellan gum. I did a search and found out that it causes a problem with the microvilli in the small intestines. Needless to say, I switched brands. Thought you would like to know. Some companies are switching from carrageenan to gellan gum.
good to know
Curious about Califia Oat Barista Blend. Ingredients: Oatmilk (Water, Oats), Sunflower Oil, Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Tricalcium Phosphate), Sea Salt.
Doesn’t seem too bad. Is it?? It wasn’t on any of the lists. I love it in my coffee.
Sunflower oil is not safe, whether organic or non.
I’m surprised almond breeze is not on the lists. Do we know if that is a decent almond milk ?
I would like to know results for Almond Breeze also! I hate Silk!
Thank you for this list Leah!! Now I’m ready to start changing our milks too. I should have asked but how does Aldi almond milks stack up on your list?
Thank you for the list.
I strongly encourage you to read the book the calcium lie.
Milk provides very little to children.
Is there a best oat? Thanks for a GREAT article Mama!
Where is the best oat milk? Thank you