An unsweetened almond drink can be a low-fat base for cereal, smoothies or coffee, but it should not be the main protein source in a high-protein meal: Tesco Groceries lists 0.5g protein per 100ml for both its own-label unsweetened drink and Alpro Almond No Sugar. Check fat, sugars and protein on the nutrition panel, then look for added nutrients if the drink regularly takes the place of dairy.
If you want almond drink in cereal, a smoothie or coffee while eating more protein, check how little protein the drink contributes. Tesco Groceries lists 0.5g per 100ml for its unsweetened drink and Alpro Almond No Sugar, so the rest of the meal matters.
If almond drink regularly replaces dairy, compare calcium, iodine and vitamins on the label. The UK SACN/COT assessment says the nutrient content of plant-based drinks varies considerably.
Plenish Organic Almond Drink lists spring water, 4% organic almonds and sea salt, according to Tesco Groceries. Its listed fat is 2.2g per 100ml; weigh that and its ingredient list against your reason for choosing an almond drink.
Start with protein, then compare fat and sugars using the same quantity on each label. Add nutrient and allergen checks according to how you use the drink.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Read protein per 100ml and consider the amount you pour. Tesco Groceries lists 0.5g per 100ml for Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink and Alpro Almond No Sugar. | I want the drink as a base, not as the main protein contribution to my meal. |
| Fat and sugars | Compare both figures on a matching basis. Tesco Groceries lists 1.1g fat and 0.3g sugars per 100ml for Tesco, and 1.1g fat and 0g sugars per 100ml for Alpro No Sugar. Marks & Spencer gives its figures per 100g, not per 100ml. | For a low-fat choice, I need the numbers on the nutrition panel rather than a conclusion drawn from the word “almond”. |
| Added nutrients | Look for calcium, iodine, vitamin B12 and vitamin D in the product information. The UK SACN/COT assessment says plant-based drinks vary considerably in nutrient content. | If this often replaces dairy for me, I want to know which nutrients are listed rather than assume every carton is alike. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredient and precautionary statements. Tesco Groceries says its unsweetened drink contains almond and may contain peanuts and other nuts; Marks & Spencer says its drink is unsuitable for people with nut or peanut allergy. | With a relevant allergy, I need the warning for the exact product before deciding whether it is suitable. |
The low-fat Tesco and Alpro drinks listed by Tesco Groceries each provide 0.5g protein per 100ml. That figure matters more to a high-protein meal than the ingredient name.
Check protein per 100ml and the amount you intend to use. If the drink needs to supply a substantial part of the meal’s protein, compare other foods or suitable drinks.
The UK SACN/COT assessment describes UK organic-labelled plant drinks as unfortified. A short ingredient list and added calcium or vitamins are therefore different buying priorities.
If almond drink regularly replaces dairy, check its calcium, iodine and vitamin information alongside the ingredients.
Sugars can appear on the nutrition panel even when a recipe has no added sugar. Tesco Groceries lists 4.7g sugars per 100ml for Rude Health Organic Almond Drink, which contains rice.
Compare the sugars figure per 100ml as well as the wording on the front of the carton.
Almond is a tree nut. Product warnings can also mention other nuts or peanuts, as the Tesco and M&S product information illustrates.
Check the current label of the exact drink, including any “may contain” statement, before buying for someone with a relevant allergy.
These examples show why a brand name alone cannot settle the choice: compare the named drink and its label.
Marks & Spencer lists an Unsweetened Almond Drink with added calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12.
Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink is an own-label option with added calcium, iodine and vitamins.
Alpro Almond No Sugar Long Life is a no-sugars almond-drink option with added calcium, iodine and vitamins.
Plenish Organic Almond Drink has a short listed recipe of spring water, 4% organic almonds and sea salt.
Rude Health Organic Almond Drink uses a rice-and-almond recipe.
This Alpro no-sugars option is for using almond drink as a base for cereal, smoothies or drinks while getting the meal’s protein elsewhere.
No image available
Use this almond drink as a base rather than relying on it for the meal’s protein. The listed bundle contains eight 1L cartons; check the current carton for its nutrition, allergen and after-opening instructions.
The low-fat Tesco and Alpro examples are unlikely to serve that purpose: Tesco Groceries lists 0.5g protein per 100ml for each, which works out at 1.25g in 250ml. If you need the drink itself to contribute more protein, compare the protein figures of suitable alternatives rather than choosing on fat alone.
Start with protein, fat and sugars, comparing figures on the same stated quantity. If the drink regularly replaces dairy, also check for added calcium, iodine, vitamin B12 and vitamin D; the UK SACN/COT assessment says nutrient content varies considerably between plant-based drinks.
Check the specific drink rather than assuming it has added nutrients. The UK SACN/COT assessment describes UK organic-labelled plant drinks as unfortified, and the ingredients listed by Tesco Groceries for Plenish Organic Almond Drink do not include added calcium or vitamins.
Almond drink contains a tree nut and is not suitable for someone with an almond allergy. Read the exact product’s current warning for other relevant allergens too: Tesco Groceries says its unsweetened drink may contain peanuts and other nuts, while Marks & Spencer says its drink is unsuitable for people with nut or peanut allergy.