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I’ve been drinking almond milk for several years now.
Even before I went dairy-free for my now 2-year-old nursling, I personally gravitated toward nut milks. And almond was the first milk I began substituting for dairy when we discovered 3 1/2 years ago that my now-6-year-old is sensitive to dairy.
But for a long, long time I stuck to generic-brand almond milks. We were on a super tight budget, and my favorite, low-cost grocery store carried a generic brand that I loved.
Until…
That generic brand started adding a dangerous ingredient to their almond milk: carrageenan.
And I soon discovered that nearly all brands of almond milk–even the name brands!–add carrageenan to their almond milks as well. There is even one name brand who sneakily advertises their “pure” almond milk as just almonds and water–and then in small print lists “carrageenan” on the label!
Now, some people will tell you that carrageenan is harmless. And the tricky part is that you will find it as a common additive in many “natural” and organic food items today–lunch meats, yogurts and, yes, most dairy-free milks.
But other sources point to carrageenan possibly causing “inflammation, gut irritation and even cancer.” (source)
I like to err on the side of caution. And that means avoiding carrageenan for me.
The solution to providing your family with the most unadulterated almond milk would be to make your own, right? And, for some, that is a viable solution. But it requires a high-powered blender, and not everyone has one (or can even afford one). (I just got my very first high-powered blender, a Blendtec, a few months ago–and it was given to me to review on this blog!)
Because I didn’t (until recently) have the equipment nor the time to make my own almond milk, I decided to go on a mission to find a brand that did not add carrageenan to their almond milk.
That brand is Silk.
Silk is pricier than the generic brand almond milks that I used to purchase. But with the amount of almond milk my family consumes, to me, it is worth the extra cost.
Besides that, Silk brand almond milk is silky smooth (no pun intended!), and I often use the vanilla flavor as a coffee creamer!
Since my favorite grocery store primarily carries their own generic brand, I must go to other stores to get Silk. I get mine at either Harris Teeter or BJ’s (which is similar to Sam’s or Costco), which recently started carrying boxes of Silk brand almond milk. I like that I can buy it there in bulk, so it lasts me a little longer.
When Silk asked me to write about my experience with their almond milk, it was a no-brainer “yes” for me since it is the brand I already use and love. And I feel like I would be doing you, my readers, a disservice to not caution you against the consumption of carrageenan since it is an ingredient that I actively avoid.
Have you ever tried Silk brand almond milk? Get a coupon!
Sign up here to get a coupon for Silk brand almond milk! (I know I’ll be printing mine out since I purchase it regularly anyway!)
Do you drink almond milk? Have you tried the taste of Silk Vanilla Almondmilk?What is your favorite brand of almond milk? Had you ever heard of carrageenan? Do you try to avoid it?
This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine. Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.
Mandy Tirado
I’ve been switching back and forth between Silk Almond Milk and Blue Diamond Almond milk. I didn’t realize Blue Diamond Almond Milk had carrageenan in it. YUCK! I don’t usually care for Silk products because they used to use GMO products and their soy was some of the worst on the market in years past. I never wanted to support a company that doesn’t have their consumers best interest at heart.
Sierra
I didn’t buy/support Silk either because of GMO’s but now they are certified by the NonGMO project, and I have been purchasing their almond milk ever since
Marina
Calcium Carbonate and a few different gum stuff in them. Not sure but I think these are not good either.??
Mandy
I have only recently been hearing about the dangers of carageenan. Its in a LOT of stuff that is sold as a natural or healthy alternative. I still don’t quite understand why its seen as bad thought because what I have read is that its just a thickener. I am still doing research to try and figure out if its something I should be avoiding for my family as well. I started drinking soy milk about 8 or 9 years ago and about 6 or 7 years ago switched to almond milk because of research supporting that soy is bad for women with hormone issues. I prefer the taste of almond milk and usually purchase what is cheapest at the time. I am grateful for your research and the information you present though.
Deborah m
I started with Silk soy milk, especially chocolate. Then one day I decided to try their almond milk and loved it. I started with the sweetened version but now prefer the original unsweetened. I have tried other brands but silk is the best tasting. I tried to save money last week and tried Aldi’s version. I made my morning protein drink as usual but when I tried to drink it it had a sour taste to it. I threw it away and the rest of the milk. I went straight to the store after work and picked up some Silk. I am glad to hear that I have unknowingly been making the best and healthiest choice ☺
Jb
Liar…….I prefer Aldis over Silk any day.
Cortnie
I know I’m a little late, but I just saw this and had to comment. I have found most brands of almond milk to be “slimy” from all the gellan gum and xanthan gum type thickeners(even ones without carageenan). The only ones I’ve found that don’t have carageenan and aren’t slimy, are Kroger’s Simply brand, and Winn Dixie. And the chocolate Simply brand is flippin amazing!
kaia
If you found nut milk with no “GUMS” in it I would also like to find this but we dont have Krogers where I live. I have been reading about xanthan, Gellum, guar gums and they are in the same catagory as carrageenan. I would like to know if your new milk has them?
Jaquana
I’m super late, but ran across this informative post, so I wanted to chime in. We’ve been drinking almond milk for about 2 years now and I too buy the generic brands from time to time due to cost. I’ve recently purchased either Kroger Simple Truth Brand or Aldi’s brand. I looked at both labels and they seem to have the exact same ingredients minis the carageenan. Not sure if they’ve just made some changes or if it’s just not posted on the label. Any thoughts?
Edward
Just go to Aldi’s and pick up some almond milk there. The brand is Friendly Farms. Taste comparable in ingredients and taste to Blue Diamond at half the cost!! It is like $1.89 and best part is…carageenan free!!