Low-fat brunch planners
For cereal, smoothies, pancakes or a glass alongside brunch, compare the fat and sugars for the exact drink on a matching nutrition basis. An unsweetened label alone does not tell you its fat content.
Who is choosing?
Households replacing dairy regularly
When almond drink is a routine substitute for cows’ milk, fortification matters alongside fat. Check the carton for calcium, iodine and vitamins rather than assuming one almond drink has the same nutrients as another.
Weekend coffee drinkers
If brunch includes cappuccinos or flat whites, consider whether you need a drink made for foaming. Check its nutrition separately from a standard almond drink, and follow the carton’s hot-drink instructions.
What should you check?
Start with the exact carton’s nutrition basis, then consider whether it is for food, hot coffee or regular use instead of dairy.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and sugars | Alpro UK lists 1.1g fat and 0g sugars per 100ml for Almond Roasted No Sugars; Tesco Groceries lists 1.1g fat and 0.3g sugars per 100ml for its Unsweetened drink. M&S lists nutrition per 100g, so check the basis before making a direct numerical comparison. | I want an almond drink for cereal or smoothies and need the figures for the exact variety, not just the word ‘unsweetened’ on the front. |
| Fortification | Read the carton for calcium, iodine and listed vitamins. The UK government’s 2025 assessment says plant-based drinks vary in their added nutrients and that organic plant-based drinks in the UK cannot be fortified. | If I use it instead of dairy regularly, I want to consider the drink’s nutrients as well as its fat content. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredient list alongside the nutrition panel. Waitrose lists spring water, 4% organic almonds and sea salt for Plenish Almond M*lk, with 2.2g fat per 100ml. | A short organic ingredient list matters to me, but I do not want to mistake it for the lowest-fat option or a fortified one. |
| Coffee use | Read hot-drink directions: Tesco advises adding its Unsweetened Almond Drink before hot liquid and avoiding boiling water. Plenish describes its separate Barista Almond M*lk as foamable for coffee; check that product’s nutrition on its own carton. | For a latte or cappuccino, I care about preparation and foam as well as the drink’s fat and sugar figures. |
| Allergens | Check the current carton’s ingredients and allergen statement. Tesco says its drink contains almond and may contain peanuts and other nuts; M&S says its Unsweetened Almond Drink is unsuitable for people with nut or peanut allergy. | When serving someone with a relevant allergy, I need the allergen information for the specific carton before choosing it. |
What can go wrong?
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Assuming every unsweetened drink has the same fat content
Alpro UK and Tesco Groceries each list 1.1g fat per 100ml for the products described above, while Waitrose lists 2.2g per 100ml for Plenish Almond M*lk. M&S gives its figure per 100g, not per 100ml.
Compare the exact variety on a matching nutrition basis, using the current carton when making the final choice.
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Assuming a short organic ingredient list means fortification
Ingredient simplicity and added nutrients are separate considerations. The UK government’s 2025 assessment says organic plant-based drinks in the UK cannot be fortified with nutrients.
If the drink regularly replaces dairy, check its nutrient panel and consider the rest of the diet alongside your ingredient preference.
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Ignoring the hot-drink instructions
Tesco advises adding its Unsweetened Almond Drink before hot liquid and not mixing it with boiling water to reduce curdling.
Follow the directions for your carton. If foamed coffee is central to brunch, consider a barista recipe and check its fat and sugar figures separately.
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Using an older listing for an allergy decision
Ingredients and allergen statements apply to specific products and can change. Tesco’s and M&S’s almond drinks also carry different warnings about other nuts or peanuts.
Read the current pack before serving an almond drink to someone with a relevant allergy.
Brand and product references
These details describe particular drinks, not every almond product made by each brand.
Alpro
Almond Roasted No Sugars is a fortified option for a brunch drink where stated fat and sugar figures are central to the choice.
- Alpro UK lists 1.1g fat, 0g sugars, 120mg calcium and 22.5µg iodine per 100ml for this product.
- It contains almond, stabilisers and lecithins; its figures do not apply to every Alpro almond drink.
Tesco
Unsweetened Almond Drink offers a fortified own-brand route for cereal, smoothies and other brunch uses.
- Tesco Groceries lists 1.1g fat and 0.3g sugars per 100ml, plus added nutrients including calcium and iodine.
- Tesco advises against mixing it with boiling water. It contains almond and may contain peanuts and other nuts.
M&S Plant Kitchen
Unsweetened Almond Drink is another fortified option to consider for cereal, smoothies or drinking.
- M&S lists 0.9g fat and 0.2g sugars per 100g, with added calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12.
- Its per-100g figures are not a direct per-100ml comparison. M&S says the drink is unsuitable for people with nut or peanut allergy.
Plenish
Its organic Almond M*lk has a short ingredient list; its separate Barista Almond M*lk is described by Plenish as made for foamed coffee.
- Waitrose lists spring water, 4% organic almonds and sea salt for Almond M*lk, with 2.2g fat per 100ml.
- Do not use the standard drink’s nutrition figures for the barista recipe. The UK government’s 2025 assessment says organic plant-based drinks in the UK cannot be fortified.
Rude Health
Its almond drinks offer different ingredient recipes for shoppers choosing by flavour and composition.
- Rude Health lists organic rice, 1% organic Italian almonds and sunflower oil in its standard Almond Drink; Pure Almond lists water and 5% organic Italian almonds.
- Check the nutrition panel for the particular variety before choosing it specifically for a low-fat brunch.
Joybuy almond drink options
This long-life almond drink is an option to consider for cereal or smoothies at Sunday brunch; use its current carton to check the nutrition and allergen details that matter to you.
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Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink, 8 x 1L
For cereal or smoothies, this long-life almond drink comes in an 8 x 1L pack. It contains almond; check the carton’s fat, sugar and fortification details if you plan to use it regularly instead of dairy.
Questions about almond drink
Which low-fat almond drinks should I compare for brunch?
Alpro UK lists 1.1g fat and 0g sugars per 100ml for Almond Roasted No Sugars; Tesco Groceries lists 1.1g fat and 0.3g sugars per 100ml for its Unsweetened Almond Drink. Check the exact carton, particularly if you also want fortification or plan to use it in hot coffee.
Does an organic almond drink provide the same added nutrients?
No: the UK government’s 2025 assessment says organic plant-based drinks in the UK cannot be fortified with nutrients. If added calcium, iodine or vitamins matter to your choice, check the nutrition panel rather than relying on an organic or short-ingredient description.
What should I check if almond drink replaces cows’ milk regularly?
Check the particular drink’s nutrients as well as its fat and sugar. The UK government’s 2025 assessment says plant-based drinks vary considerably in nutrient content and that other foods and drinks are needed to replace nutrients supplied by cows’ milk when it is excluded.
How should I use almond drink in brunch coffee?
Follow the directions for the carton you buy. Tesco advises adding its Unsweetened Almond Drink before hot liquid and not mixing it with boiling water; if you want foam, Plenish describes its separate Barista Almond M*lk as made for coffee, but its nutrition needs checking separately.
Is almond drink suitable for someone with a nut allergy?
An almond drink containing almond is not suitable for someone with an almond allergy. Tesco says its Unsweetened Almond Drink also may contain peanuts and other nuts, while M&S says its Unsweetened Almond Drink is unsuitable for people with nut or peanut allergy. Check the current pack’s allergen statement for the specific drink.