Is Almondmilk original Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When analyzing a plant-based milk like Almondmilk original, we look at two categories: obvious animal products and ethical processing agents. The base ingredients—filtered water and almonds—are unequivocally vegan. However, the complexity arises with the additives.

The primary flag for strict vegans is cane sugar. In many parts of the world, refined sugar is processed using bone char (charred animal bones) to achieve its white color. Unless the package specifies 'organic' or 'unrefined' cane sugar, this ingredient is often considered non-vegan by ethical standards.

Other ingredients like sunflower lecithin and gellan gum are emulsifiers and thickeners derived from plants or microbial fermentation, making them safe for a vegan diet. Similarly, fortification agents like vitamin d2 (often derived from fungi) and calcium carbonate are mineral-based and acceptable.

Nutritional Value

Almondmilk original is generally a low-calorie option, typically containing around 60 to 90 calories per cup, depending on the brand's specific formulation. The fat content is usually low and consists of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats derived naturally from the almonds themselves.

The main nutritional watch-out is the added cane sugar. While it improves palatability, it adds empty calories and spikes blood sugar. If you are monitoring your sugar intake for weight loss or diabetic reasons, the 'Original' variety may not be ideal compared to an 'Unsweetened' version. However, it remains a decent source of Vitamin E and Calcium.