Shoppers checking fat content
If you use almond drink on cereal, in smoothies or by itself, check fat per 100 ml rather than treating “unsweetened” as a low-fat claim.
Who is this for?
People using almond drink regularly instead of milk
Compare labelled calcium, iodine, vitamin B12, vitamin D and protein. The UK government's SACN/COT assessment says nutrient content varies considerably between plant-based drinks.
Tea and coffee drinkers ordering online
Check the instructions for hot drinks and choose a pack you can store and use as directed. A barista blend marketed for frothing does not, by itself, establish its fat content.
What should you check?
Read the nutrition figures for the exact drink first, then check its ingredients, storage directions and intended use before adding it to your basket.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Find fat per 100 ml on the exact product. The annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 gives no more than 1.5 g per 100 ml as the low-fat criterion for liquids; Sainsbury's lists 1.4 g per 100 ml for its Unsweetened Almond Drink. | I want a drink whose fat figure I can check, rather than relying on “no sugars” or “unsweetened” wording. |
| Fortification | Compare labelled calcium, iodine, vitamin B12 and vitamin D, then check protein separately. The UK government's SACN/COT assessment says nutrient content varies considerably between plant-based drinks. | If I use almond drink routinely instead of cows' milk, I want to know which nutrients this particular carton lists. |
| Storage and use | Check whether the carton is chilled or long-life, its directions after opening and any hot-drink instructions. Sainsbury's directs shoppers to use its chilled Unsweetened Almond Drink within 3 days of opening. | A multipack needs to fit my storage space and how quickly my household gets through opened cartons. |
| Allergens | Read the exact ingredient and allergen statements, including warnings about peanuts or other nuts. The Food Standards Agency identifies almonds as nuts. | Someone in my household has a relevant allergy, so “dairy-free” alone cannot settle whether a drink is suitable. |
Ordering mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “no sugars” also means low fat
Sugar and fat describe different parts of the nutrition panel; neither “no sugars” nor “unsweetened” supplies a fat figure.
For a low-fat choice, compare fat per 100 ml on the exact carton with the liquid-food criterion of no more than 1.5 g per 100 ml given in the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
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Expecting an organic drink to match a fortified one
A short ingredient list does not establish that a drink supplies the calcium, iodine or vitamins listed on a fortified alternative. The UK government's July 2025 SACN/COT assessment highlights substantial variation in plant-based drinks' nutrient content.
If almond drink regularly replaces milk, compare the nutrients and protein on the exact products rather than choosing by the organic label alone.
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Treating dairy-free as suitable for every allergy
Almond is a nut, according to the Food Standards Agency. Individual drinks can also carry warnings about peanuts or other nuts.
Check the current ingredient and allergen statements for the exact product before ordering for a household with a relevant allergy.
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Ordering more than you can store or use
A chilled carton needs refrigeration, while a long-life pack has different storage requirements before opening. Sainsbury's says to use its chilled Unsweetened Almond Drink within 3 days of opening.
Check the delivered format, pack size and instructions for each carton against your storage space and likely use.
Relevant brand ranges
These examples show why the nutrition panel and product format matter more than the brand name alone.
Sainsbury's
Its chilled Unsweetened Almond Drink is a quantified option for comparing fat content and named fortification.
- Sainsbury's lists 1.4 g fat and less than 0.5 g sugars per 100 ml, alongside calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12.
- The 1 L chilled carton must be refrigerated and used within 3 days of opening; check the allergen statement and delivery availability for your order.
M&S
Its Plant Kitchen Unsweetened Almond Drink lists fat and sugars per 100 g, with named fortification.
- Marks & Spencer lists 0.9 g fat and 0.2 g sugars per 100 g, plus calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12.
- The published per-100-g figure is not a per-100-ml figure. Check the exact label for a liquid low-fat comparison, along with local stock and allergy information.
Alpro
Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink offers a no-sugars, long-life format with named fortification.
- The Joybuy listing for the 8 x 1 L pack names calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D.
- Check fat per 100 ml on the exact carton if meeting the liquid low-fat criterion is essential; “no sugars” is a separate claim.
Rude Health
Its No Sugars Organic Almond Drink is an option for shoppers comparing organic ingredients.
- Rude Health lists water, organic almonds, organic carob seed flour and sea salt for this variant.
- Its ingredient list does not establish fat per 100 ml or the fortification you may need; the product also warns that it may contain other nuts.
Plenish
Its standard organic almond drink and separate barista blend serve different ingredient and coffee-use preferences.
- Plenish describes its standard drink as water, organic almonds and salt, with no added sugar, oils or additives.
- Plenish markets its barista blend for frothing. Check the nutrition and nutrient information for the exact variant rather than assuming either meets a low-fat requirement or matches a fortified drink.
Joybuy product options
This long-life Alpro almond drink comes in an 8 x 1 L pack. It may suit an order where unopened storage and a no-sugars option matter; check the exact carton's fat figure if you need to assess it against the low-fat criterion.
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Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink 8 x 1 L
The long-life, no-sugars format is relevant if you want to store unopened cartons and use them over several shopping orders. The Joybuy listing names calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D; compare the exact carton's fat figure and allergen statement before choosing it for a low-fat requirement or a household with allergies.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a low-fat almond drink?
The low-fat criterion for liquids in the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 is no more than 1.5 g fat per 100 ml. Check fat per 100 ml on the exact drink: “unsweetened” and “no sugars” describe something else.
What should I compare if almond drink regularly replaces cows' milk?
Compare the exact drink's fortification and protein as well as its fat and sugars. The UK government's SACN/COT assessment says plant-based drinks vary considerably in nutrient content, so check labelled calcium, iodine and vitamins rather than assuming different cartons are equivalent.
Can I put a chilled almond drink in tea or coffee?
Check that drink's instructions. Sainsbury's advises allowing water to cool slightly before adding its Unsweetened Almond Drink to a hot drink to reduce separation; a barista formulation may be worth comparing if frothing matters to you.
How should I store a chilled carton after delivery?
Refrigerate it as directed and follow the delivered carton's date and opening instructions. Sainsbury's specifies use within 3 days of opening for its chilled 1 L Unsweetened Almond Drink.
Is dairy-free almond drink suitable for someone with a nut allergy?
Dairy-free does not mean nut-free: the Food Standards Agency identifies almonds as nuts. Check the exact drink's ingredients and warnings, including any mention of peanuts or other nuts, before ordering for someone with a relevant allergy.