Jeffrey Salazar
The Whole30 is a 30-day elimination program co-founded by Melissa Urban in 2009. The program involves cutting out certain food groups, including sweeteners, carrageenan, and soy lecithin, which are commonly found in many almond milk brands. While it may be challenging to find compatible almond milk brands, some options include Trader Joe's Simply Almond Beverage, Califia Farms Unsweetened Vanilla, Malk, New Barn, and Kirkland Organic Unsweetened Almond Milk. These brands generally have fewer ingredients and do not contain the restricted additives. It is also possible to make your own Whole30-compliant almond milk at home with simple ingredients like almonds, water, and vanilla bean powder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Almond milk allowed on the Whole30 diet | Yes |
| Additives to avoid | Carrageenan, Corn Starch, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Soy Lecithin, Sulfites, Cane Sugar, Dextrose, Vanilla Alcohol or Extract |
| Sweeteners | Not allowed |
| Recommended brands | Trader Joe's, Califia Farms, Malk, New Barn, Almond Breeze, Kirkland Organic, Simply |
| Homemade almond milk | Allowed and cheaper |
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What You'll Learn
Almond milk options that are Whole30-compliant
Almond milk is allowed on the Whole30 diet, but finding a compliant brand can be challenging due to the presence of additives and sweeteners in many products. Here are some Almond milk options that are Whole30-compliant:
Trader Joe's Simply Almond Beverage
This almond milk from Trader Joe's is a simple blend of almonds and water, with no added sweeteners or additives. It is a good option for those on the Whole30 diet.
Califia Farms Unsweetened Original
Califia Farms' unsweetened almond milk is another compliant option. It has a short ingredient list, and the brand also offers an unsweetened vanilla variety that is allowed on the Whole30 diet.
Malk and New Barn
These brands are recommended by Whole30 participants for their minimal ingredient lists. New Barn's unsweetened almond milk is specifically mentioned as a compliant option.
Homemade Almond Milk
Some people on the Whole30 diet opt to make their own almond milk at home. This ensures that no non-compliant ingredients are used, and it can be made with simple ingredients like almonds, water, and vanilla bean powder. It is a cost-effective and creamy alternative to store-bought almond milk.
Other Options
Other almond milk brands that are mentioned as potentially compliant include Almond Breeze, Silk Unsweetened Almond, and Costco Kirkland. However, it is important to always check the ingredient lists as formulas may change over time. Some ingredients to avoid in almond milk while on the Whole30 diet include carrageenan, soy lecithin, MSG, sulfites, and added sugars.
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Homemade almond milk recipes for the Whole30 diet
Almond milk is allowed on the Whole30 diet, but it can be challenging to find a compliant brand. Many almond milk brands contain sweeteners, carrageenan, corn starch, monosodium glutamate (MSG), soy lecithin, or sulfites, which are not allowed on the Whole30 diet.
To ensure your almond milk is Whole30-compliant, you can make it at home with just a few simple ingredients. Here are some recipes for homemade almond milk that is compatible with the Whole30 diet:
Recipe 1: Basic Homemade Almond Milk
This recipe is shared by Tastes Lovely and only requires two ingredients. It is paleo, keto, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, clean eating, and vegan.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of almonds
- 4 cups of water (filtered or distilled water is best, but tap water works too)
Instructions:
- Soak the almonds overnight or for a minimum of 12 hours in room-temperature water. If you're in a hurry, you can use hot water and soak them for 20 minutes, then strain and repeat the process three times (a total of one hour).
- In the morning, blend the soaked almonds with fresh water for 2 minutes or until the milk looks smooth.
- Strain the milk using a nut milk bag to separate the almond pulp from the milk.
- Store the almond milk in an airtight glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator. It will last for 4-5 days.
Recipe 2: Homemade Almond Milk with Variations
This recipe is shared by The Clean Eating Couple and includes some variations for adding flavor.
Ingredients:
- Almonds
- Fresh filtered water
- Optional: Cinnamon, ginger, maple syrup (not Whole30-compliant), dates (not Whole30-compliant), vanilla bean or unsweetened vanilla bean powder
Instructions:
- Soak the almonds in 3 cups of filtered water for a minimum of 12 hours. If you're in a hurry, use the hot water method described in Recipe 1.
- After soaking, drain and rinse the almonds.
- Add the almonds and fresh filtered water to a blender. Blend on high for 2 minutes or until the milk looks smooth.
- Strain the milk using a nut milk bag, squeezing out as much milk as possible.
- If desired, add spices like cinnamon or ginger for more flavor. You can also sweeten the milk with maple syrup or dates, but this will make it non-compliant with the Whole30 diet. For a compliant option, add 1/2 a vanilla bean or unsweetened vanilla bean powder.
- Store the almond milk in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator. It will last for 4-5 days.
Tips for Making Homemade Almond Milk:
- You can make almond milk with any type of nut, such as cashews, walnuts, or pecans. Cashews are easier to blend and don't have a skin that needs to be filtered out.
- Homemade almond milk will be lower in vitamin D and calcium compared to store-bought almond milk, as it is not fortified with these nutrients. However, there are plenty of plant-based sources for these nutrients.
- You can use the leftover almond pulp to make crackers or porridge.
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Almond milk ingredients to avoid on the Whole30 diet
The Whole30 is a 30-day elimination program that restricts several food groups and ingredients. While almond milk is allowed on the Whole30 diet, finding a compliant brand can be challenging due to the addition of sweeteners, sugars, and other non-compliant ingredients. Here are the ingredients to avoid when choosing almond milk for the Whole30 diet:
- Sweeteners and Sugars: Many almond milk brands contain added sweeteners, even those not labelled as "sugar". Sweeteners and sugars are not allowed on the Whole30 diet, so it is important to read the ingredient list carefully. Look for brands that are specifically labelled as unsweetened to ensure compliance.
- Carrageenan: Carrageenan is a thickening, stabilizing, and gelling agent commonly found in non-dairy milks. It was previously restricted on the Whole30 diet but, due to a rule change in 2024, it is now allowed. However, many almond milk brands still include it, so it is important to check the ingredients.
- Soy Lecithin: Soy Lecithin is another common ingredient in almond milk that is not allowed on the Whole30 diet. Sunflower Lecithin, on the other hand, is compliant with the diet.
- MSG (Monosodium Glutamate): MSG is a flavour enhancer sometimes added to almond milk. It is not permitted on the Whole30 diet and should be avoided.
- Sulfites: Sulfites, such as sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfite, and potassium metabisulfite, are preservatives that may be found in almond milk. These are not compliant with the Whole30 diet.
- Other Ingredients: Other ingredients to avoid in almond milk for the Whole30 diet include cane sugar, dextrose, vanilla alcohol or extract, corn starch, rice starch, and gums (such as locust bean gum and gellan gum).
It is always important to carefully read the ingredient list of any almond milk brand to ensure it does not contain any of the restricted ingredients. Some recommended brands that are compliant with the Whole30 diet include Trader Joe's, Califia Farms unsweetened original, Malk, New Barn, and Silk unsweetened almond milk.
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Almond milk brands that are not Whole30-compliant
Almond milk is a great option for those on the Whole30 diet, as it does not contain potentially harmful hormones found in cow's milk. However, it can be challenging to find Whole30-compliant almond milk brands due to the presence of certain ingredients in many commercial almond milk products.
- Starbucks almond milk: Starbucks almond milk is not Whole30-approved due to the presence of additives and sugars.
- Almond Breeze: While Almond Breeze has some Whole30-compliant options, their 32 oz variety and some of their vanilla-flavoured almond milk contain carrageenan, a thickening agent that is not allowed on the Whole30 diet.
- Store-bought almond milk: Many store-bought almond milk brands contain unpronounceable ingredients and added sugars that are not compliant with the Whole30 diet.
When choosing almond milk for the Whole30 diet, it is important to read the ingredient list carefully. Almond milk with a shorter ingredient list is generally healthier and more likely to be compliant. It is also important to avoid almond milk with added sugars, carrageenan, corn starch, monosodium glutamate (MSG), soy lecithin, and sulfites.
If you are unsure about the compliance of a particular almond milk brand, it may be best to make your own almond milk at home. This ensures that you know exactly what ingredients are in your milk, and it can also be more affordable than store-bought options.
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Almond milk alternatives for the Whole30 diet
Almond milk is a great choice for those on the Whole30 diet as it does not contain potentially harmful hormones found in cow's milk. However, it can be challenging to find a Whole30-compliant brand as many almond milk products contain added sugar and other non-compliant ingredients.
When choosing almond milk for the Whole30 diet, it is important to look for brands with the shortest ingredient list, as these tend to be the healthiest and least likely to contain non-compliant additives. Some recommended brands include Trader Joe's, which offers a simple product made from almonds and water, and Malk and New Barn, which are available on Amazon Fresh and have fewer ingredients than other brands. Califia Farms' unsweetened original almond milk is another Whole30-compliant option.
It is also important to avoid almond milk with certain ingredients, such as carrageenan, a thickening agent commonly found in non-dairy milks that has been known to cause gastrointestinal issues. Other ingredients to avoid include sugars or sweeteners, corn starch, rice starch, monosodium glutamate (MSG), soy lecithin (although sunflower lecithin is allowed), and sulfites.
If you are unable to find a compliant brand, you can also make your own almond milk at home. This can be a fun and exciting alternative, although it does require some time and effort. The basic process involves soaking almonds in water for 24 hours, blending them with filtered water, and then straining the mixture through a cheesecloth or nut milk bag.
In addition to almond milk, there are other compliant non-dairy milk alternatives that you can consider. Coconut milk, for example, contains "good fats" in the form of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and is readily available in canned form at most grocery stores. Silk, for instance, offers a range of compliant unsweetened non-dairy milk options, including coconut, almond, cashew, and coconut-almond blends.
However, it is important to note that not all milk alternatives are Whole30-compliant. For example, oat milk, even when unsweetened, is not compliant as oats are considered a grain, and grains are eliminated on the Whole30 diet due to their potential impact on gut permeability.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can drink almond milk on the Whole30 diet, but it must be a compliant brand or homemade.
Some Whole30-compliant almond milk brands include Trader Joe's Simply Almond Beverage, Califia Farms Unsweetened Vanilla, Malk, New Barn Unsweetened, and Silk Unsweetened Vanilla.
To make your own Whole30-compliant almond milk, you will need almonds, a high-powered blender, and a nut milk bag. Soak the almonds in filtered water for a minimum of 12 hours at room temperature or for 1 hour in hot water. Then, blend the almonds with water and strain the mixture through a nut milk bag. You can add vanilla and sweeten with dates to taste, but maple syrup is not allowed on the Whole30 diet.
