If you suffer from celiac disease and you’re looking for a new milk to drink, you might be wondering: Is almond milk gluten free?
In this article, I will explore some important information about almond milk, including whether it is gluten free.
So, let’s get started.
What is almond milk?
Almond milk is a delicious plant-based alternative to traditional dairy milk, made from blending almond with filtered water.
It is one of the most popular plant-based milk alternatives in America due to its low calorie content and delicious flavor.
Being dairy-free, almond milk contains no lactose at all, making it a suitable milk replacement for people with lactose intolerance and people who follow a vegan and plant-based lifestyle.
Is almond milk healthy?
The popularity of nut milk alternatives have increased exponentially over the last few years, and it’s easy to see why. Almond milk is a heart-healthy, low-calorie, nutrient-dense beverage and is definitely considered to be healthy. It does not contain any dairy, lactose, eggs, soy, cholesterol, gluten, MSG, casein or whey.
Typically speaking, unsweetened almond milk only contains about 30 to 40 calories per cup, while the same amount of whole dairy milk contains 146 calories.
Keep in mind that the calorie content can vary from brand to brand, and the sweetened commercial varieties can be much higher in calories due to the fact that they contain added sugars. Bearing this in mind, you should be mindful when reading the ingredients list and make sure that you are selecting products that are as pure as possible.
Commercial almond milks also frequently contain added vitamin D, calcium, and protein, making them more similar to regular milk in their nutritional content. In addition, almond milk is also naturally rich in several vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin E.
That being said, on the whole almond milk is a healthy alternative to opt for if you’re looking to make a switch to a plant-based diet or make a few small changes in your every day diet.
Is almond milk gluten free?
Yes, almond milk is naturally gluten-free, and the vast majority of commercial brands are also gluten free.
That being said, to be safe you will want to check the labels on flavored almond milks to ensure that there aren’t any gluten-containing additives.
Can you use almond milk in place of cow’s milk?
Of course you can! Almond milk makes a great replacement for cow’s milk in a variety of vegan recipes.
You can use almond milk in a plethora of recipes, including soups, smoothies, baked goods, sauces, smoothies, on cereal, and in your morning cup of coffee.
Bear in mind that almond milk has more of a nuttier flavor than cow’s milk does, so it can alter the flavor slightly depending on how much milk is required in the recipe. That being said, if you don’t like the nutty flavor you can always opt for a milder milk alternative such as cashew milk or oat milk.
A Guide On How To Make Homemade Almond Milk
Equipment That You’ll Need
A blender
A nut milk bag or a clean dish towel for straining
A bowl
A bottle
Ingredients
5 cups filtered water (less to thicken, more if you’d like a thinner consistency)
2 pitted whole dates (optional)
1 cup raw almonds (soaked overnight in cool water or 1-2 hours in very hot water)
1 pinch sea salt
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
Step One – Soak Your Almonds
Before going to bed, add one cup of raw almonds to a bowl of cold water and leave overnight to soak. If you’re pressed for time, boil the kettle. Add a cup of almonds to a bowl and pour over boiling hot water and allow the almonds to soak for 1 to 2 hours depending on how much time you have.
Step Two – Add All Of The Ingredients To A Blender
Add your soaked almonds, water, salt, and any additional add-ins (optional) to a high-speed blender. Turn the blender on and blend the mixture until you have a creamy and smooth consistency.
Step Three – Strain The Almond Milk
Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or a clean thin dish towel. To do this, all you need to do is simply lay a clean dish towel over a mixing bowl, pour over the almond milk, carefully gather the corners, and lift the towel up.
Now it’s time for some elbow grease! Squeeze the towel until all of the milk has come out. This can take a while, but it’ll be worth it. Make sure that you squeeze all that you can from the towel as you won’t want to waste any of this delicious milk.
Once you have finished squeezing, discard or save the pulp for baking later.
Step Four – Transfer The Almond Milk To A Bottle
Once you have squeezed the almond milk into a bowl, transfer the almond milk into a clean bottle or jar and place it in the refrigerator. This homemade almond milk should keep up to 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator, although it is best when it is drunk fresh.
Make sure that you shake well before drinking, as it can have a tendency to separate when it is left in the refrigerator
Step Five – Pour And Enjoy
Lastly, pour your homemade almond milk into your morning coffee, over your cereal, or even into a glass to enjoy on it’s own. Enjoy!
In Summary
Yes, almond milk is gluten free. It is also a great alternative to dairy milk if you are looking for a substitute to use in a variety of different recipes.
Unsweetened almond milk is a low carb beverage, making it a perfect choice for people on a low carb diet and those who need to keep a check on their blood sugar levels.
