Shoppers choosing a no-sugars bedtime drink
If you want a warm soya drink without choosing by a search filter alone, compare the carton’s ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 ml and look for its unsweetened or no-sugars wording.
Who these checks are for
People who regularly use soya drink instead of milk
Check the actual carton for calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12. Long-life and organic labels do not mean that drinks have the same fortification.
People adding soya drink to hot liquid
Look for preparation directions on the carton. Tesco Longlife Soya Drink Unsweetened says to add the drink before hot liquid and not to mix it with boiling water; Waitrose Essential advises letting water cool slightly.
What to check before choosing
Start with the nutrition and allergen information on the carton, then check its directions for the hot drink you plan to make.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 ml alongside unsweetened or no-sugars wording. Waitrose & Partners lists 0 g for Waitrose Essential and Alpro Soya No Sugars; Tesco Groceries lists 0.5 g for Tesco Unsweetened. | I want to choose my bedtime drink by the carton’s stated sugar content, not just the shopping filter. |
| Fortification | Look for declared calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12. The UK government says plant-based drinks vary in nutrient content and that drinks labelled organic in the UK cannot be fortified. | If I use soya drink regularly instead of dairy milk, I want to know which nutrients this particular carton lists. |
| Hot-drink use | Read the carton’s temperature and pouring directions. Tesco says to add its drink before hot liquid and avoid boiling water; Waitrose Essential says to let water cool slightly. | I’m making a warm drink and want to follow the method given for the carton I buy, rather than assume long-life means it will not separate. |
| Allergens | Check the current allergen declaration for soya and any other relevant warnings. Ocado’s M&S Unsweetened Soya listing also says it may contain nuts and peanuts. | Soya drink is not an option for someone with a soya allergy. Other allergy warnings matter for the specific carton I choose. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming every long-life or organic carton is fortified
A switch between soya drinks can change which added nutrients are declared. The UK government says plant-based drinks labelled organic in the UK cannot be fortified.
If fortification matters to your choice, compare the current cartons for calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12.
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Using boiling water without reading the directions
Some soya drinks can separate in hot liquid, and preparation advice differs by product.
For Tesco Longlife Soya Drink Unsweetened, add the drink before hot liquid and do not mix it with boiling water. For Waitrose Essential, let the water cool slightly.
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Relying on front-of-pack wording alone
Products labelled unsweetened or no sugars can still have different declared sugar figures per 100 ml.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ line on the cartons you are considering.
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Overlooking the allergen statement
The Food Standards Agency identifies soya as an allergen. The Ocado listing for M&S Unsweetened Soya also warns that it may contain nuts and peanuts.
Do not choose soya drink for someone with a soya allergy, and check each carton’s current declaration for other relevant allergens.
Relevant brand and retailer ranges
These examples show why the individual product label matters more than a brand name when choosing a soya drink for a hot cup.
Alpro
Alpro Soya No Sugars and Alpro Organic are distinct long-life products with different fortification information.
- Waitrose & Partners lists Alpro Soya No Sugars as UHT, with 0 g sugars and 3.3 g protein per 100 ml, plus added calcium, iodine and vitamins B2, B12 and D2.
- The listed Alpro Organic product contains water and organic soya beans. It should not be treated as nutritionally equivalent to the fortified No Sugars product.
Tesco
Tesco Longlife Soya Drink Unsweetened is a 1-litre UHT carton with product-specific hot-drink directions.
- Tesco Groceries lists 0.5 g sugars and 3.4 g protein per 100 ml, with added calcium, iodine and vitamins B12, B2 and D2.
- Its directions say to add the drink before hot liquid and not to mix it with boiling water. Check the current carton for its formulation and instructions.
Waitrose Essential
Essential Unsweetened Soya Drink is a 1-litre long-life carton with declared fortification and hot-drink guidance.
- Waitrose & Partners lists 0 g sugars and 3.4 g protein per 100 ml, with added calcium, iodine and vitamins D, B12 and B2.
- Waitrose advises allowing water to cool slightly when making a hot drink. Its listing says to refrigerate the carton after opening and use it within three days.
M&S Plant Kitchen
The Ocado listing for M&S Unsweetened Soya describes a UHT drink with added calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12.
- The listing declares 0.4 g sugars, 2.8 g protein, 120 mg calcium and 45 µg iodine per 100 ml.
- It also says the product may contain nuts and peanuts. Check that warning against the needs of anyone who will drink it.
Joybuy product options
This selection covers an Alpro No Sugars long-life multipack. Check its carton directions before preparing a bedtime hot drink.
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Alpro Soya No Sugars Long Life Drink 8 x 1L
For a bedtime cup, this is a long-life multipack labelled No Sugars. Compare the current nutrition panel with other cartons and follow its directions for use with hot liquid.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘filtered’ mean a soya drink is unsweetened or fortified?
No. Treat ‘filtered’ as a shopping term, not a substitute for the product details. Check the carton for long-life or UHT wording, sugars per 100 ml and any declared calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12.
How can I reduce separation in a hot soya drink?
Follow the directions for the carton you buy. Waitrose Essential advises letting water cool slightly; Tesco Longlife Soya Drink Unsweetened says to add the drink before hot liquid and not to mix it with boiling water.
Should I choose organic soya drink if I want fortification?
No. The UK government’s 2025 assessment says plant-based drinks labelled organic in the UK cannot be fortified with nutrients. If calcium, iodine, vitamin D or vitamin B12 matter to your choice, check what the individual carton declares.
Is soya drink suitable for someone with a soya allergy?
No. The Food Standards Agency identifies soya as an allergen. Check the current carton for any additional warnings: the Ocado listing for M&S Unsweetened Soya says it may also contain nuts and peanuts.
How long does long-life soya drink keep after opening?
Follow the opened-carton instructions for your product. Waitrose & Partners says to refrigerate Waitrose Essential and use it within three days; its Alpro Soya No Sugars listing says to refrigerate and use that product within five days.