For an older adult choosing an everyday dairy-free drink, look for an unsweetened soya drink with added calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine, then compare protein and storage instructions on the exact carton. If poor appetite or unintentional weight loss is a concern, a standard carton is not a substitute for meals or an assessment: the NHS advises contacting a GP when you are worried that an older person may be malnourished.
The reason for replacing dairy matters: an everyday drink, a response to reduced eating and a carton for pantry storage call for different checks.
For cereal, tea or cooking, check the exact soya drink for added calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine, as well as its protein content. The UK SACN and COT assessment says the nutrient content of plant-based drinks varies considerably.
A drink can form part of someone’s food and fluid intake, but it does not resolve poor appetite or unintentional weight loss on its own. The NHS advises contacting a GP if you are concerned that an older person may be malnourished.
A long-life carton can be stored without refrigeration before opening when its label permits it. Check how soon the opened carton must be used, particularly if the person drinks only small amounts.
Start with the nutrients the drink actually lists, then consider the person’s appetite, preferred sugar content and likely rate of use.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fortification | Look for added calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine on the exact carton. Compare stated amounts where available rather than assuming all soya drinks contain them. | I am replacing a dairy drink and want to know which nutrients this one provides. The UK SACN and COT assessment reports considerable variation between plant-based drinks; the NHS lists plant drinks with added calcium as a calcium source. |
| Protein and overall intake | Compare protein per 100 ml or per serving. If appetite is poor, consider the drink alongside the person’s overall food intake rather than treating it as a meal replacement. | Someone I care for is eating less, so choosing a carton alone will not address the wider concern. The NHS advises contacting a GP if an older person may be malnourished. |
| Sugars | Read the sugars figure per 100 ml and check fortification separately; the word ‘unsweetened’ does not describe the drink’s full nutrient profile. | I prefer an unsweetened drink, but I still want to check what else the carton contains. |
| Storage | Check whether the unopened carton needs chilling. After opening, follow its refrigeration instructions and stated period for use. | If a litre lasts me several days, I need an opened-life period that fits how quickly I use it. |
| Soya allergy | Check the current ingredients and allergen label. Do not choose a soya drink for someone with a confirmed soya allergy. | A dairy-free drink still needs to be suitable for the person who will consume it. |
The UK SACN and COT assessment says plant-based drinks vary considerably in nutrient content. It also states that plant-based drinks labelled organic in the UK are not allowed to be fortified with nutrients.
If the drink is replacing dairy, check the carton for calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine instead of relying on ‘soya’, ‘plant-based’ or ‘organic’ on the front.
Unintentional weight loss is one of the signs of malnutrition identified by the NHS. A usual soya drink should not be treated as a meal replacement or as the sole response to reduced eating.
Contact a GP if you are worried that an older person may be malnourished. British Dietetic Association guidance also discusses nutrient-dense foods and drinks when poor appetite makes larger portions difficult.
The reviewed retailer labels give different periods for using a refrigerated carton after opening, ranging from three to five days. Long-life storage before opening does not extend those instructions once it is open.
Choose a carton size the household is likely to use within the period printed on its current label, and refrigerate it as directed.
An unfinished carton may mean wasted drink.
Soya itself can cause an allergic reaction. Avoid soya drink for someone with a confirmed soya allergy.
Check the current allergen label and seek medical advice if an allergy is suspected. The NHS says to call 999 for symptoms including sudden mouth or throat swelling or difficulty breathing.
These details apply to the named drinks on the reviewed retailer listings, not to every drink from each brand; check the current carton before comparing them.
The listed Soya No Sugars long-life drink has added calcium, iodine and vitamins B2, B12 and D2.
Tesco’s listed unsweetened soya drink is a chilled 1 L carton with added calcium, iodine and vitamins B12, B2 and D2.
Sainsbury’s listed unsweetened 1 L soya drink includes calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine in its nutrition information.
Asda Plant Based Soya Unsweetened is a 1 L UHT drink listing added calcium, iodine and vitamins B12, D2 and B2.
M&S describes its Unsweetened Soya Drink as fortified with calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12.
Waitrose Essential Unsweetened Soya Drink is a 1 L UHT drink with added calcium, iodine and vitamins D, B12 and B2.
This long-life soya drink pack is an option for a household using dairy-free drinks regularly. Check the exact carton’s nutrients and opened-life instructions against the drinker’s needs.
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For a household using several cartons over time, this pack contains eight 1 L cartons of long-life soya drink. Check the current pack for calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iodine and protein per 100 ml, and follow its refrigeration and use instructions after opening. Soya drink is unsuitable for someone with a confirmed soya allergy.
If it will replace a dairy drink, check the exact carton for added calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine, then compare its protein, sugars and storage instructions. The UK SACN and COT assessment says nutrient content varies considerably between plant-based drinks.
No: a standard carton should not replace meals or an assessment when unintentional weight loss is a concern. The NHS identifies loss of 5% to 10% or more of body weight over three to six months as a main sign of malnutrition and advises contacting a GP if you are worried about an older person.
Do not assume it will. The UK SACN and COT assessment states that plant-based drinks labelled organic in the UK are not allowed to be fortified with nutrients, so check the label if the drink is replacing dairy.
Stop giving them the drink and seek medical advice if a food allergy is suspected. The NHS says to call 999 if symptoms include sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, a tight throat or difficulty breathing.
Match the carton to how quickly it will be used and follow its own instructions after opening. The reviewed Waitrose, Tesco and Asda listings specify different refrigerated opened-life periods—three, five and four days respectively—so a long-life carton should not be left in the cupboard once opened.