Almond milk can be found in almost every grocery store, cafe, and coffee shop; it is no longer a challenge to find healthy alternatives. It’s more popular with people who are following a vegan diet or have lactose intolerance. You can buy almond milk from your local supermarket, where you’ll find national and international brands like Almond Breeze, Alpro, Juhayna, Lamar and Rude Health. Alternatively, make your almond milk at home by simply blending almonds or almond butter with water, and then strain or sieve it to remove any solid bits.

The main reason why people tend to switch from cow to plant-based milk is because they have lactose intolerance, which is described by the NHS as, “a common digestive problem when the body is unable to digest lactose, a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products”. Side effects include diarrhoea, gas, bloating, and in some extreme cases, vomiting, according to Mayoclinic  - which means the best option is to go plant-based.

But we’re here to talk about almond milk. So moving on to the benefits, according to Medical News Today, it’s enriched with minerals and vitamins like vitamin D, which boosts immunity, and vitamin E, with some added calcium and proteins. It contains fewer calories than cow’s milk, full cream or skimmed, but some brands might contain sweetener or have sugar added to make it not too bland, so make sure to check the ingredients out before you buy!

Not only does unsweetened almond milk help regulate blood sugar levels, but it also lessens the risk of heart disease, since eating nuts is beneficial for your heart. According to Medical News Today, “One study in healthy adults showed that eating 66 grams of almonds or almond oil every day for 6 weeks reduced their levels of low-density lipoprotein, or “bad,” cholesterol by 6% and triglycerides by 14%. It also increased their high-density lipoprotein, or “good,” cholesterol by 6%”. Vitamin D also boosts immunity, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.

Now that you’ve been given the guidance and benefits to help you switch to plant-based dairy alternatives, the choice is up to you. Remember, health before wealth!