Almond Milk can be a beneficial and delicious part of your diet, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. Not only is it full of healthy vitamins and minerals, but it’s much lower in calories than regular milk.
In this article, we’ll explore why and how almond milk can be good for furthering your weight loss goals.
How Does Almond Milk Help Weight Loss?
Almond milk has several benefits, but the primary benefit for weight loss is that it’s much lower in calories than regular milk. It also lacks the natural cholesterol content of animal milk products.
It’s also low in carbohydrates.
What Other Benefits Does Almond Milk Have?
Almond milk is full of beneficial nutrients, such as calcium. Along with potassium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E, all of which aid in digestion and metabolism.
For those who are concerned about their lactose tolerance, or considering a vegan lifestyle, almond milk is a great option for getting the necessary nutrients.
How Do the Calories in Almond Milk Compare to Regular Milk?
It depends somewhat on the brand and type of almond milk, as well as the type of regular milk. However, most almond milk has 50% fewer calories than regular milk.
One comparison study showed that 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk had only 39 calories. By comparison, 1 cup of skim milk was found to have 91 calories.
What Amount of Carbohydrates Does Almond Milk Have Compared to Regular Milk?
According to nutritional studies, a cup of unsweetened almond milk contains between 2-4 grams of carbohydrates.
In comparison, a cup of plain 2% milk contains around 12 grams of carbohydrates.
How Does the Sugar Content Compare Between Almond Milk and Regular Milk?
Unsweetened almond milk has little to no sugar – less than 0.5 grams per cup. Regular milk, however, has around 12 grams of sugar.
What Other Benefits Does Almond Milk Have?
Almond milk has little to no cholesterol.
Almond milk is often fortified with calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Producers often enrich almond milk with Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and Vitamn B12.
Many of these vitamins promote heart health.
Almond milk has both iron and riboflavin, which are beneficial to healthy muscular development.
Almond milk is generally gluten-free and keto-friendly.
Almond Milk contains no lactose.
It is very digestive-friendly, for those who have problems processing dairy.
Are There Downsides to Almond Milk in Comparison to Regular Milk?
Some experts say that almond milk has less protein and healthy fats than regular milk. It can also contain smaller amounts of certain minerals naturally found in dairy products.
Many dairy products contain certain amounts of natural probiotics that almond milk and almond products do not.
Enriched or fortified almond milk makes up many of these deficiencies.
What Kind of Almond Milk is the Best for Weight Loss?
Experts recommend unsweetened and unflavored almond milk for the best results. It has the lowest calorie count, with no added sugars.
You may want to look for brands that offer enriched or fortified milk, to increase your intake of vitamins and minerals.
Some experts also recommend avoiding those brands which contain too many additives or preservatives.
How Much Almond Milk Can I Consume A Day?
Experts say 1-2 servings a day is fine, and can actually be beneficial. One serving is defined as 1 cup, or 8 ounces.
Some studies indicate that a cup of almond milk a day can actually be beneficial to the heart. The Vitamin E and healthy fats in almond milk promote heart health.
Is There a Maximum Amount of Almond Milk I Can Consume in a Day?
While there is no set limit, most experts recommend sticking to nutritional guidelines in terms of almond milk consumption. Recommended servings for dairy are 3-4 per day, so almond milk intake should be limited accordingly.
Too much almond milk can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and nausea, the same as over-consumption of dairy products.
When Is The Best Time To Drink Almond Milk?
Experts recommend drinking almond milk before bed. 1 cup of almond milk contains up to 17 milligrams of magnesium, which is a natural sleep aid.
Drinking almond milk can help ensure a better night’s rest. In addition to magnesium, almond milk helps you feel full without lots of calories, which helps decrease late-night cravings.
Almond milk also contains melatonin, another sleep-promoting chemical.
Can I Drink Almond Milk In the Mornings?
While it’s a recommended drink for bed, there is no problem with drinking it in the mornings. It can be a healthy additive to morning meals, particularly if you’re watching your calorie and sugar intake.
As a general rule, you can drink almond milk pretty much any time you want it. Whether you like it as a part of breakfast, or a midnight snack, it’s an excellent low calorie option.
If you’re looking to lose weight, almond milk is a healthy choice with plenty of nutritional benefits. It will help you get the nutrients you need, while avoiding the calories, so you can maintain that critical calorie deficit.
