There are many healthy snacks to choose from and near the top of the list are almonds. A handful of almonds provides a boost of energy that helps you to get through the day. Almonds have protein, phenols, flavonoids and antioxidants. When it comes to almond milk, however, the milk alternative of almond milk is not as healthy as what you might think. Although many people will hand over big bucks for almond milk, it really isn’t a good alternative to dairy.
When you buy almond milk at the store, you are getting more than almond milk. You are getting lots of water, sweetener and additives. When you actually do the maths, a carton of commercial almond milk had just a small handful of almonds. In fact, the popular UK almond milk, Alpro, is just 2 percent almonds!
If you wanted to get the nutrition from just a regular handful of almonds, you would have to drink an entire carton of almond milk. Commercial almond milk is made mostly from water, which is why the calories per cup is so low. When you consider the price of almond milk, it really isn’t a great alternative for dairy because the savings are just not there.
The facts about almond milk are well hidden, which is why the industry continues to do better year after year. One company, White Wave, reported a 50% increase in first quarter sales in 2014. This year, the industry is expected to net 1.7 billion in sales.
Although almond milk may sound healthy, the additives are about as unhealthy as you can get. The thickener is Carrageenan, a product known to inflame the digestive tract. It is typically advised not to consume carrageenan for too long.
If you are a fan of almond milk, you’ll need to decide if it is the right choice for you. The mixture of ingredients, however, shows that it is not good for your health. Almond milk is also not good for the wallet.
Making your own nut milk is really the way to go and it isn’t difficult. Only a few supplies and ingredients are needed, including raw, organic almonds. Start by soaking one cup of raw almonds in water for at least 12 hours. Blend the soaked almonds with 3 cups of water using a high quality blender. Strain the nut milk through cheesecloth into a container. You can store it for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
This video shows you how to make your own almond milk:
Via: Healthy Eternally
Be sure to share this with your friends on Facebook