Almond milk is a liquid made from blended almonds. If you soaked the almonds overnight in water, these will be softened. Then you can blend those almonds easily. The blended almonds can be strained to prepare milk alternative. You can also add sweet or salt according to your preference. Some people like to add honey to make the milk tastier.
But you may be a concern whether this nut-based milk alternative is good for your health or not. Here you will get some basic idea about almond milk that might help you to understand the health benefits of almond milk.
You can prepare almond milk at home or may like to buy it from any supermarket or health food store. Whether you buy it from a supermarket or make it at home, the nutritional profile of almond milk is very rich. It is low in fat and it mainly contains unsaturated fat. It also contains fiber as well as protein that are important nutrients for our body. Almond milk is a good source of vitamin E and other antioxidants. These are key factors to maintain healthy skin and eyes. Calcium is another vital ingredient of almond milk which plays a vital role to build strong bones. Some commercial brands of almond milk are fortified with extra vitamins and minerals.
If you consider from a calorie point of view, almond milk is lower in calories than whole cow’s milk. But it contains the same calories as semi-skimmed cow’s milk and more calories than skimmed cow’s milk. Both kinds of milk contain the same amount of calcium. But almond milk contains more vitamin E and D than cow’s milk.
However, cow’s milk is richer in macronutrients than almond milk. If you prefer to buy sweetened almond milk, then cow’s milk will be the better choice. Some people have an allergy to cow’s milk or some may like to follow a vegan diet. They can easily choose this dairy-free alternative milk. It is also a good option for those people who are struggling to digest dairy or suffering lactose-intolerant.
You can use almond milk in any recipe like cow’s milk. You can prepare it at home. Homemade almond milk will be the best option. But try to avoid sweetened almond milk and check the ingredients list prior to purchasing the almond milk. Always remember that if you have a nut allergy, it will not be suitable for you. So before going for almond milk consult with your health provider.