Is Almond Beverage, Unsweetened Vanilla Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a plant-based milk is truly vegan, we have to look beyond the main ingredient. While almond base (filtered water, almonds) is obviously plant-derived, the additives and fortifications are where animal products sometimes hide. Fortunately, this specific beverage passes the test with flying colors.

First, let's look at the thickening agents. This drink uses gellan gum, xanthan gum, and sunflower lecithin. These are all standard stabilizers derived from fermentation of sugars or extracted from seeds. They are widely used in vegan products to create that creamy texture without dairy.

Next, we examined the flavoring and fortification. The natural vanilla flavor with other natural flavors is a common point of concern. However, in this product, these flavors are plant-derived. Additionally, the vitamins added—vitamin a palmitate, ergocalciferol (vitamin d2), and d-alpha tocopherol (vitamin e)—are all vegan. Vitamin D2 is specifically plant-derived (from fungi), unlike Vitamin D3 which is often derived from lanolin (sheep's wool).

Finally, the minerals tricalcium phosphate, sea salt, and dipotassium phosphate are inorganic and vegan. There are no traces of casein, whey, or lactose, making this a safe choice for strict vegans.

Nutritional Value

Because this is the Unsweetened Vanilla variety, it is an excellent low-calorie option. A typical serving contains roughly 30 to 40 calories, derived almost entirely from the healthy fats in the almonds. It usually contains less than 1 gram of sugar per cup, making it ideal for those monitoring their glycemic index.

In terms of macronutrients, it is low in protein (about 1g) and low in carbohydrates. However, manufacturers often fortify these beverages to compete with dairy milk. You can expect a decent amount of Calcium (from tricalcium phosphate) and Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant naturally found in almonds but boosted here for daily value requirements.

If you are on a Keto or low-carb diet, this fits perfectly. It is much lower in calories and sugar than the sweetened vanilla version, which can contain upwards of 7g of added sugar.