Choose a high-protein soya drink if you want the drink itself to contribute more protein: Alpro and Sainsbury's each list 5.0g per 100ml for the high-protein 1L drinks considered here. If avoiding sugars matters more, compare an unsweetened drink's label too; Sainsbury's lists less than 0.5g sugars but 2.2g protein per 100ml for its standard unsweetened version. For household stocking, choose a carton quantity you can store and use, and check each product's instructions after opening.
If soya drink regularly goes into cereal, porridge or shakes, compare the amount you actually pour. Alpro and Sainsbury's list 5.0g protein per 100ml for their high-protein drinks, equivalent to 12.5g in a 250ml serving.
An unsweetened drink may suit a preference for less sugar, but it need not match a high-protein version. Sainsbury's lists less than 0.5g sugars and 2.2g protein per 100ml for its standard unsweetened drink.
Carton size, storage instructions, fortification and allergens all matter when different household members use the same drink. Sainsbury's instructs buyers to refrigerate its listed 1L drinks after opening and use them within three days.
Start with protein and sugars on the same per-100ml basis, then check whether the carton format and storage instructions fit household use.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Compare protein per 100ml and for the amount you normally pour. Alpro and Sainsbury's list 5.0g per 100ml for the high-protein drinks considered here; Sainsbury's lists 2.2g for its standard unsweetened drink. | I use soya drink often enough that its protein per serving matters, rather than relying on the words 'soya drink' alone. |
| Sugars | Read sugars per 100ml alongside protein. Sainsbury's lists 2.9g sugars for its sweetened high-protein drink and less than 0.5g for its standard unsweetened drink; these are different products. | If I prefer an unsweetened drink, I want to know how much protein I would get from it as well. |
| Fortification | Check the exact carton for added calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine. Sainsbury's lists these nutrients for the two drinks compared here; the NHS includes fortified soya drinks in its vegan-diet guidance. | When soya drink replaces dairy in my household, I want to compare the nutrients listed on each product, not assume every recipe is fortified alike. |
| Cartons and storage | Check carton volume, portions and instructions after opening. Sainsbury's lists four 250ml servings in its high-protein 1L carton and says to refrigerate and use it within three days of opening. | Several cartons are useful only if we have room for them and can finish each opened carton within its stated period. I also need to check allergens and any age guidance for the people who will drink it. |
Sainsbury's lists 2.2g protein per 100ml for its standard unsweetened drink, against 5.0g for its high-protein drink. The difference changes how much protein the drink contributes at the same serving size.
Compare the protein figures per 100ml, then use your usual serving size to judge the difference.
Sainsbury's high-protein drink is sweetened and lists 2.9g sugars per 100ml; its standard unsweetened drink lists less than 0.5g. The two labels describe different characteristics.
Read protein and sugars together on the current nutrition panel.
For the Sainsbury's 1L drinks considered here, the instruction is to refrigerate after opening and use within three days. Having more unopened cartons does not lengthen that period.
Plan how many cartons to buy around household use, and follow the instructions on each opened carton.
Soya is identified as an allergen by the Food Standards Agency. Where children will drink the product, the age guidance on the exact carton also matters.
Check the current ingredients, allergen declaration and age guidance before sharing a carton.
Alpro lists both a high-protein plain soya drink and a separate no-sugars soya drink in 1L cartons.
Sainsbury's lists a sweetened high-protein soya drink and a standard unsweetened soya drink, both in 1L cartons.
Tesco Groceries lists Alpro High Protein Soya Original 1L alongside Tesco own-label soya drinks.
These options include high-protein soya drink, a no-sugars multipack and individually portioned cartons. Compare their labels and pack quantities against the protein, sugar and storage needs above.
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Six 250ml cartons provide individual portions for a household. The product nutrition information lists 7g protein per 100ml, but its sugar descriptions conflict: check the current carton rather than relying on the low-sugar wording. Contains soya; the supplied storage instructions say to refrigerate after opening and use within 24 hours.
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This eight-carton format suits a household that wants to keep 1L no-sugars drinks unopened until needed. The listed nutrition is 0.0g sugars and 3.3g protein per 100ml, with calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D2 listed. It contains soya; refrigerate after opening and use within five days, according to the product instructions.
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The listed 5.0g protein per 100ml makes this the option to compare when protein from the drink is the priority. The product information also lists 2.5g sugars per 100ml and calcium plus vitamins B2, B12 and D2. Check the number of cartons before buying: the title begins with '6', while the description gives a 1L net quantity. It contains soya; the stated period after opening is five days.
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Six 250ml cartons offer individual portions rather than a shared 1L carton. The listed figures are 2.5g protein and 5.0g sugars per 100ml; vitamins D and B2 are also listed. The product information identifies soya and barley. Refrigerate after opening and check the carton for its current use-by instruction.
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This six-carton pack provides individual 250ml portions. Check the current carton before counting on a particular protein contribution: the product descriptions give conflicting figures of 2.9g and 2.0g per 100ml. The listed sugars are 6.4g per 100ml, and the drink contains soya. The supplied instructions say to refrigerate after opening and consume within 24 hours.
The Alpro and Sainsbury's high-protein drinks considered here each list 5.0g protein per 100ml, which amounts to 50g across a full 1L carton. Sainsbury's also lists 12.5g in each 250ml serving; compare the serving size with the amount you actually use.
Not for the Sainsbury's products compared here. Its standard unsweetened drink lists 2.2g protein and less than 0.5g sugars per 100ml, while its sweetened high-protein drink lists 5.0g protein and 2.9g sugars per 100ml. Compare both figures according to what matters for your purchase.
Check the exact carton for added calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine. The NHS includes fortified soya drinks in its vegan-diet guidance and identifies these nutrients as ones to pay attention to in a vegan diet; fortification varies by product.
Follow the instruction on the particular carton. Sainsbury's says to refrigerate its high-protein and standard unsweetened 1L drinks after opening and use them within three days. Do not assume that instruction applies to every soya drink or pack format.