Some people are allergic to cow's milk. This milk allergy is a reaction of your body's resistance to one of the many proteins in milk produced by animals, which are usually cows. The main cause is usually the alpha S1-casein protein in cow's milk. As an alternative, you can consume milk that comes from nuts, such as almond milk.
Almond milk is milk made from almonds mixed with water and filtered to remove solids. Can also be made from almond butter to which water is added. The taste of peanut is very dominant when you drink this milk. Almond milk also has a creamy texture similar to milk in general. Almond milk can be easily purchased at the supermarket or made at home.
Now almond milk can be purchased at the supermarket or made at home. Besides, there are many flavors, for example chocolate. However, for health reasons, it is highly recommended to consume almond milk which does not contain added sugar. The nutritional content of almond milk also depends on how much almonds are used in making it, how much water is used, and whether it contains additional vitamins and minerals.
Nutritional facts in one 240 mL glass of almond milk without added sugar
1. Carbohydrates
In almond milk without added sugar, there is one gram of carbohydrates. Carbs provide four calories per gram, so four of the 30 calories in unsweetened almond milk come from carbs. However, if you buy almond milk that has been given certain sweeteners or flavors, the carbohydrate and calorie levels will certainly increase.
Unsweetened almond milk also has a glycemic index (GI) of 25, making it a low-glycemic drink. As a guide, foods / drinks with a GI of 55 or lower are classified as low glycemic foods / drinks.
2. Fat
There are 2.5 grams of total fat in almond milk without added sugar. Each gram of fat provides nine calories, so there are just over 20 calories of fat in unsweetened almond milk. The unsaturated fats contained in almond milk are "good" fats because they can help increase HDL cholesterol levels in the blood and are good for heart health.
3. Protein
There is one gram of protein in a glass of almond milk, no matter what flavor you buy. This is one of the drawbacks of consuming almond milk, which is not a good source of protein for the body.
4. Micronutrients
In a glass of almond milk there are 481 mg of calcium, about 45 percent of the recommended daily intake if you are on a 2000 calorie per day diet. All of the calcium contained in almond milk is in addition to the company that produces almond milk.
Furthermore, the benefits of almond milk
After knowing the nutritional content in almond milk, here are the various health benefits of almond milk
1. Low in calories
The calories contained in almond milk are much lower than cow's milk. Though almonds are known to contain lots of calories and fat. However, after it is processed into milk, there are only a small portion of the calories contained in it.
2. Low in sugar
If you choose unsweetened almond milk, it contains very little sugar. This is what makes almond milk good for consumption of people with diabetes, because they can limit the amount of their carbohydrate intake.
3. High in vitamin E
In a 240 mL glass of almond milk, as much as 20-50% of your daily vitamin E body can be fulfilled. As a comparison, cow's milk does not contain vitamin E at all.
4. Good source of calcium
Almond milk usually contains a small amount of calcium, but those that are usually sold in supermarkets have been supplemented with calcium by almond milk producers.
5. Often enriched with vitamin D
Most almond milk is fortified with vitamin D2, which is also called ergocalciferol. A 240 mL glass of almond milk contains 25 percent of the recommended vitamin D intake.
6. Free from lactose
Almond milk is free from lactose, which is why it is suitable for people who have lactose intolerance.
7. Not a beef product and suitable for vegans
Some people avoid consuming cow's milk for religious, health, environmental, or lifestyle reasons (such as veganism). Almond milk comes from vegetable ingredients, therefore it is suitable for groups of people who adhere to this principle.
8. Low phosphorus with moderate amounts of potassium
People with chronic kidney disease often avoid cow's milk because of the high levels of phosphorus and potassium. However, almond milk contains far less phosphorus and potassium.
9. Easy to use as a diet menu
Almond milk can be easily consumed as a substitute for cow's milk. You can drink it alone or add cereal for breakfast. You can also mix it into smoothies or add it to a pancake recipe. Almond milk can also be used as ice cream or yogurt.