The Silk v Almond Breeze Battle Wages On - and We Win

   I have written about the virtue of almond milk 3 or 4 times in the past year.  I believe it has a lot to offer as a replacement for cow's milk.  It has a better nutrient profile, zero sugar (unless you buy a version that is sweetened.. and why would you DO that?), and it has  good fat from almonds.
    In the second or third post, I spoke about one brand having slightly more calories than the other. If your interested in why that might matter  here is that post.
     Not only was there a calorie difference between the two brands but a significant price difference as well.  I was, initially, paying 50 cents more for the lower calorie milk (and I use two cartons a week). 
    I followed up sometime later to tell you that the other brand miraculously determined or changed so that it didn't have those 10 extra calories after all.  This was great news.  I could buy the cheaper milk  because the producer changed its recipe! YAY 
    I must not be the only calorie sleuth in the almond market nor the only one who sacrificed money to get less calories. Once the calories were equal I switched to the lower priced milk.  That must have been the behavior of many customers because the higher priced milk is now only 10 cents more.  In other words, the other company also changed based on the behavior of customers.  We had an effect on the producers.
So this is fantastic. Consumers driving healthier options.
   This is exactly the type of response we are starting to see and hoped to see with restaurant menu labeling.
If I can get a lower calorie (read healthier) meal at one restaurant then I will go to that restaurant. If restaurants want my business they will smarten up and give me more lower calorie choices - and prices will even out just like they did for the milks.  (if there are lots of people making choices this way)

Time to say goodbye to dairy milk?

   In this September post, I shared the virtues of almond milk as an alternative to cows milk.  Now that the dairy industry is facing the end of its federal subsidies (as it should be) the price of milk could double.  I can't think of a better time for you to try this dairy alternative than 2013 (as long as you are not allergic to tree nuts!).
   There are many stories about the cause of the increase in prices and whether or not it is actually expected to happen.   Here is one example from the WSJ.
  The brand and type of almond milk that I enjoy is shown below. I am even considering using it in my decaff cappuccino next year. I will have to live with less froth volume as it doesn't froth well.

Click here to visit the Silk Website

 
 

NonDairy - Good Fat - No Sugar - Low Calories

   In my blog, I am more likely to make food 'group' recommendations than product recommendations - my most well known product rec being  Smuckers All Natural Peanut Butter. 
   Today I will share the labels of two products - two brands, in one category that I do highly recommend.  Almond Milk. There is a continuing controversy over dairy products, esp. milk and if you are not allergic to nuts, this is a fantastic alternative.  It is better for several reasons.
   The reasons are calories, sugar and fat.  Taste may not be among the plus factors, because I am  suggesting the unsweetened versions ONLY.  Please don't go for the sweetened as those just add sugar. However, using the almond milks in recipes, cereal and coffee as opposed to drinking it straight is what I have in mind.  It is really best not to drink our calories anyways.
   Below are two labels.  One brand doesn't break down their fat content but both of them have fat without saturated fat.  Therefore,  the grams are all GOOD fat.  Please understand, there IS good fat and you need it.  These products give you healthy fat with calcium and without sugar.  The calorie content is very low.  The calories are half that of the same serving size of skim milk (90c).  The serving size is NOT small - it is one cup.   BTW, whole milk has ~140 cals, 2% ~ 130s, 1% ~110s.  Full disclosure - almond milk pales in comparison to skim milk with regard to protein.  Still, protein is not one of the nutrients that Americans lack so you'll be fine.

This is Almond Breeze.  It has better amounts of Good Fat. 

This is  Silk Pure Almond - More Expensive but better Calcium Percentage

I use almond milk in my oat bran, my cake and cereal bar recipes, and when I make sugar free instant pudding.