Parents of dairy-free toddlers over 12 months
If an almond drink will take the place of dairy milk at snack time, check its fortification and consider what the child gets from the rest of the snack and diet.
Who is this for?
Parents comparing sugar content
An unsweetened name is a useful starting point, but read the nutrition and ingredients panels as well. Sugar content and fortification are separate checks.
Families packing snacks for childcare
Almond is a nut allergen. Before packing an almond drink, check that the child can have almonds and confirm the nursery’s or childminder’s food-allergy policy.
What should you check?
Start with the child’s age and whether almonds are suitable, then compare fortification, nutrition information and the setting’s rules for packed snacks.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Age and use | Do not use an almond drink as the main milk drink before 12 months. For an older toddler, decide whether it is an occasional snack drink or regularly replaces dairy milk. | I need a drink that fits my child’s age and the role it will play in their diet. |
| Fortification and nutrition | Look for calcium and iodine on the current carton, then compare energy and protein per 100 ml. Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust suggests looking for around 120 mg calcium per 100 ml in a fortified dairy-free product. | If dairy milk is excluded, I want to consider where my toddler gets calcium, iodine, energy and protein across the whole snack and diet. |
| Sugar content | Check the sugars figure on the nutrition panel and read the ingredients, even when the name says “unsweetened” or “no sugars”. Check fortification separately. | I’m looking for an unsweetened snack-time drink without overlooking the nutrients it may need to provide. |
| Allergy and childcare | The Food Standards Agency identifies almonds as nuts. Check the carton’s allergen declaration and ask the individual setting about its packed-food policy. | Before I pack a drink, I need to know that my child can have almonds and that the childcare setting permits them. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a fortified almond drink replaces dairy milk nutritionally
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities notes that cow’s milk contributes energy and protein to the diets of children aged 1 to 5. Added micronutrients do not make an almond drink equivalent on those measures.
If dairy is excluded, compare the drink’s energy and protein information and consider the rest of the child’s food. Seek individual dietetic or clinical advice for a restrictive diet or growth concerns.
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Choosing a short ingredient list instead of checking nutrients
A short list of ingredients does not establish whether calcium or iodine has been added. That matters when the drink regularly takes the place of dairy milk.
Read the ingredients and nutrition panels rather than relying on “organic” or “no additives” wording.
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Assuming every childcare setting has the same nut policy
Almond is a nut allergen, and a particular nursery’s or childminder’s rules cannot be inferred from another setting’s policy.
Check the setting’s food-allergy and packed-lunch rules before sending an almond drink. Do not serve it to a child with a nut allergy.
Almond drink brands to check
These brand examples show why the current carton matters; a brand name alone does not establish that every variant has the same ingredients or fortification.
Alpro
Its Roasted Almond No Sugars 1L is an example of a fortified, no-sugars almond drink.
- Alpro lists 120 mg calcium and 22.5 µg iodine per 100 ml for this product.
- Alpro also lists 14 kcal and 0.5 g protein per 100 ml; assess the rest of the toddler’s food rather than treating the drink as a nutritional match for dairy milk.
M&S
Its Unsweetened Almond Drink is a retailer own-label fortified option.
- M&S lists added calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12 for this product.
- Check the current carton for its ingredients, allergens and nutrition information, as formulations can change.
Tesco
Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink 1L is another own-label option with listed added nutrients.
- Tesco lists added calcium, potassium iodide, vitamin E, vitamin B12, riboflavin and vitamin D2.
- Read the current carton for nutrient quantities and sugars when comparing it with another drink.
Plenish
Plenish Almond M*lk is relevant when a short ingredient list is the preference.
- Plenish lists water, organic almonds and salt.
- Check the carton for calcium and iodine before using it regularly in place of dairy milk.
Rude Health
Rude Health Organic Almond Drink has a stated age condition that matters here.
- Rude Health lists water, organic rice, almonds, sunflower oil and salt.
- Rude Health describes this drink as suitable for adults and children from 5 years onwards, so it is not a toddler-directed choice.
Joybuy almond drink options
This Joybuy option is a no-sugars almond drink multipack. If considering it for a toddler who can have almonds, check the current carton for calcium and iodine before using it regularly in place of dairy milk.
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Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink 8 x 1L
A no-sugars almond drink to consider for snack time if the child can have almonds. The pack contains eight 1L cartons; check the current carton’s fortification and nutrition information if the drink will replace dairy milk regularly, and confirm the childcare setting’s nut policy before packing it.
Questions about toddler snack time
Can almond drink be a baby’s main milk drink before 12 months?
No. Before 12 months, breast milk or infant formula should remain the main milk drink; almond drink should not replace it.
What should I check on an almond-drink carton for a toddler over 12 months?
Check the sugars figure and ingredients, then look for calcium and iodine fortification. Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust suggests looking for around 120 mg calcium per 100 ml in a fortified dairy-free product. Also compare energy and protein if the drink will replace dairy milk.
Is an organic almond drink automatically a better choice for a toddler?
No. A short ingredient list does not tell you whether calcium or iodine has been added. If the drink will regularly replace dairy milk, check its current fortification and nutrition information rather than choosing on the organic label alone.
How should I store an opened almond-drink carton?
Follow the instructions on that carton. For M&S Unsweetened Almond Drink, M&S instructs customers to refrigerate it at 0°C to +5°C after opening and consume it within 3 days; other products may give different instructions.