Who is this for?

People avoiding gluten

If you use almond drink in a post-workout smoothie or snack, look for a clear gluten-free claim on the product you are buying rather than assuming every plant drink meets your needs.

People making a post-workout smoothie

Almond drink can provide the liquid, while the other ingredients determine what protein and carbohydrate the complete smoothie contains. This matters particularly after a longer exercise session.

Ingredient-conscious shoppers

If a short ingredient list or no added sugar matters to you, compare exact variants. Check their nutrition panels separately if you also want added calcium or vitamins.

What should you check?

Start with the gluten-free claim if it is essential for you, then assess the whole snack and the particular carton’s ingredients and nutrition information.

Priority What to check Your needs
Gluten-free labelling Check the current carton for an explicit gluten-free claim. Read its ingredients, allergen information and any precautionary wording; do not use “dairy-free” as a substitute. I need confidence in the exact drink I am buying, not just its plant-based category. In Coeliac UK’s Shopping Habits 2025 survey of 3,785 members, 74% trusted its Crossed Grain Trademark more than a gluten-free statement, according to Coeliac Commercial; that measures trust among those surveyed, not almond-drink buying preferences.
The complete snack Compare the drink’s protein and carbohydrate per serving with the other foods in your smoothie or snack. British Heart Foundation guidance says extra protein with carbohydrate can be useful after exercise lasting longer than an hour. After a longer session, I want to know what the whole snack contains rather than treating an almond drink as a complete recovery shake.
Fortification Check the exact variant’s nutrition and ingredient panels for added calcium, iodine or vitamins. Alpro Almond Original lists calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D; Marks & Spencer lists calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12 for its Unsweetened Almond Drink. Added nutrients matter to my choice, so I want to compare cartons rather than assume every drink from a brand is fortified alike.
Ingredients and sweetness Read the ingredients and sugars per 100 ml on the variant you choose. Plenish describes its Almond M*lk as almonds, spring water and salt; Rude Health’s standard Almond Drink also contains rice and sunflower oil. I may prefer a shorter recipe or a no-added-sugar variant, while still checking gluten-free labelling and any fortification separately.
Pack and storage Check the number of cartons, their size and the instructions for storing an opened carton. Follow the directions for the exact product rather than applying another variant’s storage period. A multipack suits me only if I can use the opened cartons as instructed.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming plant-based means gluten free

    Dairy-free and gluten-free describe different things. Coeliac UK advises checking ingredients and allergen information; precautionary “may contain” wording can also be relevant to a strict gluten-free requirement.

    Look for a gluten-free claim on the current carton, read the full label and ask the manufacturer if its suitability remains unclear.

  • Treating the almond drink as the whole recovery snack

    Choosing a gluten-free or fortified drink does not establish how much protein and carbohydrate the complete snack provides. British Heart Foundation guidance identifies both as considerations after exercise lasting longer than an hour.

    Check the drink’s nutrition panel and consider what the other smoothie or snack ingredients contribute.

  • Assuming variants have the same fortification

    Added nutrients depend on the product. Alpro Almond Original lists calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D, while Plenish presents its Almond M*lk as a three-ingredient drink.

    Compare the ingredient list and nutrition panel on the exact carton, including when switching variants within one brand.

  • Buying a multipack without checking storage

    Opening a carton changes how it needs to be stored. The Joybuy listing for Alpro Almond Drink 1L instructs refrigeration at +1°C to +7°C after opening and use within five days.

    Check the instructions on your chosen variant and choose a pack size you can use accordingly.

    An opened carton that cannot be used within its stated storage period may go to waste.

Brand and product-line references

These examples show why the exact almond-drink variant matters; a feature stated for one carton should not be assumed for every product from the brand.

Alpro

Alpro UK identifies Almond Original as gluten free and lists calcium plus vitamins B2, B12 and D. Joybuy describes the separate Almond No Sugars multipack as gluten free and fortified.

  • Offers identified gluten-free, fortified variants for an almond-drink smoothie base.
  • Fortification does not tell you what protein and carbohydrate the complete post-workout snack contains.

Plenish

Plenish describes its Almond M*lk as made with almonds, spring water and salt, with no oils, additives or added sugar.

  • A short stated ingredient list for shoppers who prioritise recipe simplicity.
  • Check the current carton for a gluten-free claim and for any added nutrients you want.

Rude Health

Rude Health identifies its standard Almond Drink as gluten free, organic and with no added sugar. Its chilled Almond Drink with Calcium is a different product.

  • The standard Almond Drink has an explicit gluten-free claim from the manufacturer.
  • That drink also lists rice and sunflower oil; do not attribute the chilled product’s added calcium to it.

M&S

Marks & Spencer describes its Unsweetened Almond Drink as enriched with calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12.

  • Its stated fortification gives shoppers specific nutrients to compare with other cartons.
  • If an explicit gluten-free claim is essential, check the current product label before selecting this variant.

Joybuy almond-drink options

This Joybuy option is a gluten-free, fortified almond drink in a no-sugars multipack for use as a smoothie base. Assess the other ingredients if you are making a more substantial post-workout snack.

Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink, 8 x 1L

Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink 8 x 1L

For a gluten-free almond base in a post-workout smoothie, Joybuy describes this variant as gluten free. The listing identifies an 8 x 1L pack and lists calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D; check what the rest of your snack contributes rather than relying on the drink alone.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is almond milk enough on its own after exercise?

Do not assume it provides everything you want from a post-workout snack. For exercise lasting longer than an hour, British Heart Foundation guidance says extra protein alongside carbohydrate can be useful, so consider the drink together with any other foods you have.

Can I assume an almond drink is gluten free?

No. Check the current carton for an explicit gluten-free claim and read its ingredients and allergen information, particularly if avoiding gluten is essential for you. Being almond-based or dairy-free is not the same as carrying a gluten-free claim.

Should I look for the Crossed Grain Trademark?

It may be a useful additional signal if you prefer recognised certification, but still check the current product label. Coeliac Commercial reported that 74% of the 3,785 Coeliac UK members who completed its Shopping Habits 2025 survey trusted the Crossed Grain Trademark more than a gluten-free statement; this describes those respondents’ trust, not a requirement for every shopper.

Should I choose a fortified or short-ingredient almond drink?

Compare the exact cartons against your priorities. Alpro Almond Original lists calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D, while Plenish describes its Almond M*lk as almonds, spring water and salt; a shorter ingredient list does not establish the same fortification or confirm a gluten-free claim.

How should I store almond drink after opening?

Follow the instructions on the carton you buy. For Alpro Almond Drink 1L, the Joybuy listing says to refrigerate it at +1°C to +7°C after opening and use it within five days; do not assume that period applies to every variant.