With increasing awareness about health and sustainable living, vegetarianism has become a popular lifestyle choice. For those unaware, veganism involves avoiding all animal-derived products, including dairy, and includes plant-based alternatives. Of these, vegan milk alternatives such as soy, oat, coconut and almond milk have become household staples for many people. Almond milk, in particular, is one of the most popular choices for its rich nutritional profile and versatility. But while almond milk is healthy, does the source of your almond milk matter? Store-Bought vs. Fresh: Which One Is Really Better for You? Let’s find out.
Also read: Can’t choose between almond milk and soy milk? Here are 5 differences to help you decide
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What does almond milk do for your body?
Almond milk is extremely beneficial for your body and serves as an ideal alternative to dairy milk. If you drink almond milk regularly, you can get many benefits from it.
1. Rich in Calcium
Almond milk is a great source of calcium and can provide up to 37 percent of the daily requirement. This is even more than regular dairy milk.
2. Dairy-free and vegan
As mentioned above, almond milk is completely dairy-free because it is made using almonds. It is also a great option for those who are lactose intolerant.
3. May help in weight loss
Almond milk is low in calories and high in unsaturated fat. Consuming it can help you lose extra kilos.
4. Blood sugar does not increase
Since almond milk doesn’t contain a lot of carbs, it doesn’t cause a sudden spike in blood sugar or energy. It also has a low glycemic index, making it perfect for people with diabetes.
5. Rich in antioxidants
Almond milk is a good source of vitamin E and antioxidants. It helps protect cells from radical damage and improves immune health.
Why should you avoid consuming store-bought almond milk?
Now that you know about the benefits of almond milk, let’s delve deeper. Although store-bought almond milk is convenient and saves time, it doesn’t provide much benefit to your body.
Why?
Due to content. According to nutritionist Lavneet Batra, almonds constitute only three to five percent by weight, which is very less. Moreover, store-bought almond milk contains other ingredients like stabilizers, emulsifiers and acidity regulators that do not help your body in any way. In fact, because of these ingredients, consuming store-bought almond milk can actually cause inflammation in your body.
Consuming almond milk is a good way to include almonds in your diet.
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How to make almond milk at home
The best thing about almond milk is that you can easily make it at home. all you need is:
2 cups raw almonds
8 cups filtered water
1. Prepare almonds
Wash the almonds and soak them in a bowl for eight hours or overnight. This will make them soft. Remove the peels and set aside.
2. Mix
Put the soaked almonds in a mixer jar and grind until it becomes a smooth paste. Add more water if necessary to achieve desired consistency.
3. Stress out and enjoy
Strain the smooth almond paste through a strainer or muslin cloth to remove solids. Once done, pour the almond milk into a glass and enjoy!
Pro Tip:
You can drink fresh almond milk, but if you want to store it, keep it in a glass bottle in the refrigerator. Use it within 4-5 days and shake well before each use.
Also read: What to do with leftover almond milk?
Do you like consuming almond milk? Let us know in the comments below.
