People making smoothies after training
If you use soya drink in a smoothie or snack after resistance exercise, compare protein per serving. A standard carton and a higher-protein variant need not contribute the same amount.
Who is this for?
Households stocking up on cartons
If several people use soya drink, check the number and size of cartons, storage before opening and the instructions for each opened carton.
Buyers choosing unsweetened, fortified drinks
If you prefer an unsweetened drink, compare sugars and check the exact carton for added calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins or iodine.
What should you check?
Start with the drink’s contribution to your usual serving, then choose a carton format the household can store and use as directed.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Compare protein per 100 ml and the amount you normally pour. Check the nutrition panel of a higher-protein variant rather than relying on its name. | I want to know how much protein the drink adds to a post-workout smoothie or meal, alongside the other ingredients. |
| Sugars | Read sugars per 100 ml on the specific carton and distinguish sweetened from unsweetened variants. | For a smoothie with other flavouring ingredients, I may prefer an unsweetened base. |
| Carton format | Confirm the carton count and volume. Check whether unopened cartons can be kept in a cupboard and follow each label’s refrigeration and use instructions after opening. | Several cartons are useful only if our household has room to store them and can use each one after opening. |
| Fortification | Check the exact product label for added calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine; additions differ between drinks. | If I am replacing a dairy drink, I want to compare the nutrients listed on the carton rather than assume all soya drinks are fortified alike. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen advice for soya and any additional statements, including precautions about nuts or barley. | Everyone who will use the cartons needs to be able to check the exact product’s allergen statement. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming every soya drink contributes the same protein
ASDA Groceries lists 2.0 g protein per 100 ml for Just Essentials Unsweetened Soya Drink, while its Alpro Soya No Sugar listing gives 3.3 g per 100 ml. The amount in a glass also depends on how much you pour.
Compare products on the same per-100 ml basis, then work out the contribution from your usual serving before stocking up.
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Assuming ‘family pack’ confirms a multipack
A large carton and a bundle of individual cartons meet different household needs. The number of cartons also matters when planning storage and use after opening.
Confirm the pack contents, then check the storage and opened-carton instructions for that product.
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Using ‘plant-based’ as an allergen check
Soya is an ingredient allergen, and individual drinks can carry other allergen or precautionary statements. A dairy-free description does not answer whether a carton suits everyone in the household.
Read the current ingredients and allergen statement on the exact variant before buying several cartons.
Brand and retailer references
These references describe particular UK-listed drinks and ranges; they do not establish that every variant has the same nutrition or storage instructions.
Alpro
Alpro has standard no-sugars soya drinks and a separately listed High Protein Soya Original long-life drink.
- ASDA Groceries lists 3.3 g protein and 0 g sugars per 100 ml for its chilled Alpro Soya No Sugar drink.
- Check the nutrition and pack details of the particular High Protein variant rather than applying the standard drink’s figures to it.
Tesco
Tesco lists own-label long-life soya drinks as well as a branded Alpro high-protein option.
- Its long-life range includes a 1-litre unsweetened own-label drink.
- Check nutrition, fortification and storage on the exact carton when comparing it with another range.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's lists a chilled 1-litre Alpro Soya No Sugars drink with added calcium and vitamins.
- The listing distinguishes this chilled option from long-life cartons.
- Check the chilled-storage instructions if buying several cartons at once.
Asda
Asda lists own-label unsweetened soya drink alongside branded Alpro products.
- ASDA Groceries lists its ambient Just Essentials Unsweetened Soya Drink with 2.0 g protein per 100 ml.
- That product carries a ‘may contain nuts’ statement; check its current allergen advice.
M&S
M&S Plant Kitchen includes sweetened and unsweetened soya drinks fortified with calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12.
- Marks & Spencer lists 2.8 g protein per 100 g for both the cited sweetened and unsweetened variants.
- Their listed sugars differ, and the product allergen statements need checking for people with nut or peanut allergies.
Waitrose
Waitrose Essential Unsweetened Soya Drink is a fortified, long-life 1-litre option.
- Waitrose & Partners lists 3.4 g protein per 100 ml, with added calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin B2 and iodine.
- The product says to refrigerate below 5°C and consume within three days after opening; it is not suitable for children under two.
Joybuy soya drink options
These options cover large unsweetened cartons, a plant-protein drink and multipacks of smaller ready-to-drink cartons. Compare the stated pack contents and nutrition for the way your household will use them.
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Alpro Soya No Sugars Long Life Drink 8 x 1L
Eight 1-litre cartons suit a household using an unsweetened drink in smoothies or meals. The product description lists 3.3 g protein and 0 g sugars per 100 ml, plus calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D. Store unopened cartons ambient; refrigerate each opened carton and use it within five days. Contains soya.
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Alpro Plant Protein 1L
For a drink intended to contribute more protein to a post-workout meal, the product description lists 5.0 g protein and 2.5 g sugars per 100 ml. It also lists calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D2. The title begins with ‘6’, but the detailed net quantity is 1 L: confirm the number of cartons before ordering for a household. Contains soya; refrigerate after opening and use within five days.
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Vitasoy Malted Soy Milk 6 x 250ml
Six individual cartons provide smaller portions for a household. The description lists 2.5 g protein and 5.0 g sugars per 100 ml, with vitamins D and B2. Unopened cartons can be stored ambient. The ingredients identify soybeans and barley; follow the exact carton’s instructions after opening.
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Vitasoy Original Soy Milk 6 x 250ml
Six 250 ml cartons suit households that prefer individual portions rather than a large opened carton. The description lists 2.9 g protein and 6.4 g sugars per 100 ml. Store unopened cartons in a cool, dry place; refrigerate after opening and consume within 24 hours. Contains soybeans.
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Vitasoy Regular Soya Drink 8 x 6 x 250ml
This box contains 48 individual 250 ml cartons for a larger household stock-up. The description lists 2.0 g protein per 100 ml; check sugars on the current carton if that affects your choice. Store unopened cartons in a cool, dry place, then refrigerate and consume within 24 hours after opening. Contains soybeans.
Frequently asked questions
Do all soya drinks contribute the same amount of protein?
No. ASDA Groceries lists 2.0 g per 100 ml for Just Essentials Unsweetened Soya Drink and 3.3 g per 100 ml for its Alpro Soya No Sugar drink. Compare the exact carton and the amount you normally use in a smoothie or meal.
Does a 1-litre carton count as a family multipack?
No: carton size and carton count are separate details. Confirm how many cartons an order contains, particularly when buying enough for several household members.
What should I check when replacing a dairy drink?
Compare protein and sugars per 100 ml or per serving, then check the exact soya drink for added nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine. Fortification varies by product.
Can someone with a soya allergy use soya drink?
Soya drink contains soya, so it is not suitable for someone with a soya allergy. Read the current allergen statement for any other ingredients or precautionary notices relevant to the household.
How long can an opened carton be kept?
Follow that carton’s refrigeration and use instructions. For example, Waitrose & Partners says to refrigerate its Essential Unsweetened Soya Drink below 5°C and consume it within three days after opening; ASDA Groceries gives four days for Just Essentials Unsweetened Soya Drink.