For an older adult who wants soya milk for everyday dairy-free use, an unsweetened drink with calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12 is worth checking; compare protein per 100ml and read the current allergen label too. If appetite or weight is falling, or the person has a prescribed swallowing plan, an ordinary carton should not replace individual advice about nutrition or drink consistency.
If ordinary drinks are suitable, compare soya drinks for cereal, hot drinks or cooking by their fortification and protein content. The UK Office for Health Improvement & Disparities notes that nutrient content varies considerably between plant-based drinks.
Reduced appetite or unintentional weight loss changes the decision: a routine unsweetened drink should not stand in for an individual food plan. NHS guidance identifies older adults as particularly at risk of malnutrition; ask a GP or dietitian for advice if weight loss is a concern.
For someone assessed for swallowing difficulty, the drink must match the consistency and preparation method advised by their Speech and Language Therapist. Do not assume that an ordinary carton meets that plan.
Start with the exact carton's nutrition and allergen labels, then consider whether appetite or a swallowing plan calls for a different approach.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fortification | Look for calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12 on the exact carton. The UK Office for Health Improvement & Disparities notes that plant drinks vary considerably in nutrient content. | I use this regularly in place of dairy milk and want to know which nutrients the drink supplies. |
| Protein | Compare protein per 100ml on the nutrition panel, keeping the same serving basis across products. | If this drink is part of my usual meals, I want to compare its protein contribution rather than rely on the words 'soya drink' alone. |
| Sugars | Check sugars per 100ml on the chosen variant, alongside its fortification and protein. Do not assume another flavour has the same values. | An unsweetened drink suits my preference for everyday use, provided its other label details also meet my needs. |
| Poor appetite | Consider energy and protein per serving within the person's food plan. NHS guidance on poor appetite and weight loss calls for attention to overall energy and nutrient intake. | When someone is eating little or losing weight, I need a drink choice that fits their individual nutrition advice. |
| Swallowing | Follow the consistency and preparation method set by the person's Speech and Language Therapist; do not choose a thickness by guesswork. | If a swallowing plan applies, the prepared drink needs to match that plan. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredient and allergen statements for soya and any other relevant allergens. Dairy-free does not mean soya-free. | For someone with a soya allergy, I need to choose a different suitable drink and check its own label. |
The UK Office for Health Improvement & Disparities reports considerable variation in plant drinks' nutrient content, so a familiar brand or flavour does not establish what is in a particular carton.
Check fortification and protein on the current label of the variant you intend to use.
For someone with poor appetite or unintentional weight loss, a routine drink may not fit a plan intended to increase energy and protein intake.
Ask a GP or dietitian for individual advice and consider energy and protein per serving in the context of the whole diet.
An ordinary carton may not have the consistency prescribed for someone with swallowing difficulty.
Use the drink thickness and preparation method advised by their Speech and Language Therapist.
Soya remains an allergen in a dairy-free soya drink. Ingredient and allergen information can also change between purchases.
Check the current packaging for every relevant allergen; do not choose soya milk for someone with a soya allergy.
These examples illustrate why the exact variant matters; a brand name alone does not establish a drink's nutrition or allergen details.
Alpro's No Sugars soya drink is a dairy-free variant with listed fortification.
Tesco lists an unsweetened 1L soya drink with added calcium, iodine, vitamin B12, riboflavin and vitamin D2.
Sainsbury's lists an unsweetened chilled 1L soya drink fortified with calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12.
M&S Plant Kitchen lists an unsweetened soya drink fortified with calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12.
Waitrose Essential Unsweetened Soya Drink is listed as a long-life drink with added calcium, iodine, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and vitamin B2.
This long-life, unsweetened soya drink is an option for routine dairy-free use. A prescribed swallowing plan or concerns about appetite and weight call for an individual choice.
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This dairy-free multipack is intended for routine use in drinks, cereal or cooking. The product description lists 3.3g protein and 0g sugars per 100ml; Alpro's information for its No Sugars drink lists calcium, iodine, vitamin D2 and vitamin B12, so check the current multipack carton for its exact details. It contains soya and is not suitable for someone with a soya allergy. Do not substitute it for an individual nutrition or swallowing plan.
Not necessarily. The UK Office for Health Improvement & Disparities reports considerable variation in plant drinks' nutrient content. For everyday use, check the exact carton for calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12, then compare protein and sugars per 100ml.
Do not choose it on the no-sugars label alone. When an older person is eating little or losing weight unintentionally, NHS guidance places importance on meeting energy and nutrient needs; ask a GP or dietitian how a drink fits their individual food plan.
Only if that consistency is permitted by their swallowing plan. Follow the thickness and preparation method advised by their Speech and Language Therapist rather than assuming an ordinary carton is suitable.
No. Dairy-free soya milk still contains soya, which the Food Standards Agency identifies as an allergen. Choose a different suitable drink and check its current ingredient and allergen label.