Late-night snackers comparing fat
If you drink a small glass or add almond drink to cereal at night, compare fat and energy per 100 ml. An unsweetened label tells you about sugar, not whether the drink meets a low-fat criterion.
Who is this choice for?
Dairy-free shoppers checking fortification
If calcium, iodine or particular vitamins matter to your choice, read the nutrient list on the exact carton. Almond-drink formulations do not all list the same additions.
Shoppers who prefer short ingredient lists
A simple or organic formulation may appeal to you, but check its fat value separately. Tesco Groceries lists just three ingredients for Plenish Organic Almond Milk alongside 2.2 g fat per 100 ml.
What should you check?
Filter by fat per 100 ml first, then compare the other label details that matter for how you will use the drink.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and energy | Read fat and energy per 100 ml. For a low-fat claim on a liquid in Great Britain, legislation.gov.uk specifies no more than 1.5 g fat per 100 ml. | I want to compare drinks on the same basis before choosing one for a late-night serving. |
| Sugars | Compare sugars per 100 ml as well as the wording on the front. Tesco Groceries lists 2.2 g fat per 100 ml for Plenish Organic Almond Milk despite its no-added-sugar formulation. | An unsweetened or no-added-sugar drink appeals to me, but I do not want to mistake that wording for a low-fat claim. |
| Fortification and allergens | Check which nutrients are listed and read the full allergen statement. Almond is a tree nut; precautionary information can differ between products. | If I am choosing a dairy alternative, I may care about listed calcium or vitamins. I also need the product's current allergen information. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the ingredient list and the carton's refrigeration and after-opening instructions. Check pack size against how often you expect to use it. | I might prefer fewer ingredients, or need a carton I can finish within its stated after-opening period. |
Common buying mistakes
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Taking “no added sugar” to mean low fat
Sugar and fat are separate label measures. Tesco Groceries lists Plenish Organic Almond Milk at 2.2 g fat per 100 ml, above the 1.5 g per 100 ml condition for a low-fat liquid claim in Great Britain published by legislation.gov.uk.
Check total fat per 100 ml first, then compare sugars and energy if those also matter to you.
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Overlooking nut information on a plant-based drink
Almond is a tree nut, and precautionary statements vary. Tesco Groceries states that its Unsweetened Almond Drink contains almond and may contain peanuts and other nuts.
Read the allergen statement on the current carton; do not treat “dairy-free” as meaning suitable for someone with a nut allergy.
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Choosing a large pack for occasional use without checking storage
After-opening instructions differ between cartons. A pack that suits frequent cereal servings may be less practical if you use only a little at a time.
Check the stated after-opening period and refrigeration instructions before choosing a pack size.
Unused drink may need to be discarded if the carton is not finished within its stated period.
Relevant brand and retailer ranges
Alpro
Alpro's UK Almond Roasted No Sugars page describes a fortified almond drink; check its figures against the exact pack you intend to buy.
- Alpro UK lists 1.1 g fat, 0 g sugars and 14 kcal per 100 ml for Almond Roasted No Sugars, alongside calcium and iodine.
- Its ingredient list includes stabilisers, flavouring and an emulsifier.
Tesco
Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink is an own-label option with a published per-100-ml nutrition panel.
- Tesco Groceries lists 1.1 g fat and 15 kcal per 100 ml.
- It contains almond and may contain peanuts and other nuts, according to Tesco Groceries.
M&S
M&S Unsweetened Almond Drink lists added calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12.
- The Marks & Spencer published panel lists 0.9 g fat and 14 kcal per 100 g.
- Check the carton's per-100-ml value before applying the low-fat condition for liquids; M&S also states that the drink is unsuitable for people with nut or peanut allergy.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's Unsweetened Almond Drink is an own-label option with listed calcium and iodine.
- Sainsbury's lists 1.4 g fat, 18 kcal and under 0.5 g sugars per 100 ml.
- Its listed fat value is close to the 1.5 g per 100 ml low-fat claim limit for liquids in Great Britain; check the current carton, including its nut warning.
Plenish
Plenish Organic Almond Milk is relevant if a short ingredient list matters more to you than selecting a low-fat drink.
- Tesco Groceries lists spring water, organic almonds and sea salt as its ingredients.
- Tesco Groceries lists 2.2 g fat per 100 ml, above the low-fat liquid claim limit stated by legislation.gov.uk for Great Britain.
Rude Health
Rude Health's standard Almond Drink offers a different ingredient formulation; its No Sugars drink is a separate product.
- Rude Health lists organic rice, organic almonds and cold-pressed sunflower oil among the standard drink's ingredients.
- Check fat per 100 ml on the specific Rude Health formulation before choosing it for a low-fat snack.
Joybuy product option
This Alpro No Sugars long-life multipack is an option to consider for an almond drink with a late-night snack. It is a different listing from the Alpro Almond Roasted No Sugars drink discussed above, so compare the nutrition panel on this exact pack.
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Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink 8 x 1L
For an occasional midnight snack, consider whether an 8 x 1L long-life pack suits your storage space and how quickly you use each opened carton. Check this pack's fat, energy, fortification, allergen and after-opening information on the current label.
Frequently asked questions
What does “low fat” mean for an almond drink?
For a low-fat claim on a liquid in Great Britain, legislation.gov.uk specifies no more than 1.5 g fat per 100 ml. Compare cartons on that basis rather than relying on their suggested serving sizes.
Does unsweetened mean an almond drink is low fat?
No. Tesco Groceries lists Plenish Organic Almond Milk as having no added sugar but containing 2.2 g fat per 100 ml, above the Great Britain low-fat claim limit for liquids published by legislation.gov.uk. Check fat and sugars separately.
Is an almond drink suitable for someone with a nut allergy?
Do not assume so: almond is a tree nut, and individual drinks can have additional precautionary warnings. Tesco Groceries states that its Unsweetened Almond Drink contains almond and may contain peanuts and other nuts; read the current label for the specific product.
How long can I keep an opened carton?
Follow the storage and after-opening period printed on that carton, as instructions differ between products. If you use almond drink only occasionally, check those directions before choosing a pack size.
Can I add a low-fat almond drink to tea or coffee?
Check the specific product's hot-drink instructions before adding it. Fat content alone does not tell you how the drink should be mixed with hot liquid.