Silk Almond Milk Is a Great Alternative to Dairy Milk

More people than ever before are turning to dairy alternatives like almond milk, according to a 2016 article published by the Nielsen Company, which indicates that almond milk sales increased to $894 million over the course of five years. That's more than a 250 percent increase.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that 65 percent of the human population is lactose intolerant. However, brands like Silk have created dairy-free alternatives, so those affected by lactose intolerance can enjoy the creamy goodness of plant milks.

While recipes to make it from scratch exist, Silk and other almond milk brands take the guesswork out with their ready-made varieties. One cup of Silk Original Almondmilk contains 60 calories, 2.6 grams of fat and no saturated fat.

According to the American Heart Association, the average person should aim to consume no more than 5 to 6 percent of their calories from saturated fat. For instance, if you eat 2,000 calories per day, no more than 120 of them should be from saturated fat. Eating foods that are low in saturated fat can help to reduce cholesterol levels.

Silk Dark Chocolate Almondmilk contains 100 calories, 2.5 grams of fat per one cup serving and no saturated fat. Almond milk nutrition for the vanilla flavor includes 80 calories and 2.5 grams of fat per cup. Unsweetened varieties of Silk almond milk contain 30 calories per cup.

All flavors of Silk almond milk contain a mere 1 gram of protein per serving, which is less than that of cow's milk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults get 50 grams of protein per day, so almond milk admittedly might not be the thing to reach for to get your daily allotment.

Read more: Almond vs. Skim Milk For Weight Loss

All Silk almond milks are a great source of calcium and vitamin D, both essential to bone health. Silk Original Almondmilk is reported to have 50 percent more calcium per cup than dairy milk, and it contains 45 percent of the recommended 1,000 milligrams of calcium you should consume each day. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll be happy to know that the same amount of calcium is found in the chocolate and vanilla flavors as well.

When it comes to vitamin D, Silk almond milk varieties deliver 25 percent of the 600 units of vitamin D that are universally recommended for people between the ages of 1 and 70. Vitamin D is essential to the health of your body as it helps you absorb calcium effectively. Without enough vitamin D, you run the risk of developing brittle bones, especially as you age.

Read more: Foods With High Vitamin D

Silk almond milk is an excellent source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects body cells from damage. A 1-cup serving has 20 percent of the recommended daily value for adults. The National Institutes of Health suggests that most adults consume 15 milligrams per day. Silk almond milk also includes 4 percent of the daily value of vitamin A, riboflavin and magnesium.

If your sugar intake is important, then go for the unsweetened Silk almond milk, which has no added sugars. Silk Original Almondmilk, along with the flavored varieties, is infused with sugar, 7 grams per cup, in fact. By contrast, sugar in cow's milk comes naturally from the lactose it contains, not from an outside source.

The American Heart Association recommends that adult women have no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar in their diet per day. Men have a bit more leeway at 9 teaspoons per day. Since 4 grams of sugar generally equal 1 teaspoon, the original version of Silk almond milk is well within those guidelines.

When it comes to flavored varieties, like Silk Vanilla Almondmilk, it packs a bit more sugar with 13 grams per serving. The chocolate version has even more, with 17 grams of sugar per serving. The Silk brand has an unsweetened almond milk that has zero grams of sugar in it.

Read more: Can Milk Raise Glucose Levels

Silk knows that variety is the spice of life, which is why they offer a few more almond milk types than some other brands. Enjoy the best of two worlds with Silk Original Almond Coconut Blend. Still dairy-free, this version makes a perfect addition to morning coffee, smoothies or on its own.

A 1-cup serving has only 50 calories, but in contrast to the original varieties, this type has 2.5 grams of fat, 1 gram of which is saturated fat. Total sugars equal 5 grams, 4 of which are "added sugars." An unsweetened version of this blend exists as well, with zero grams of sugar.

If you want to increase your fiber intake or keep it 100 percent organic, Silk has got you covered on those fronts as well. Silk Chocolate Protein Milk, with peas, cashews and almonds, has 10 grams of pea protein per 1-cup serving. If you're adult who's aiming to get the 50 grams of protein each day, then this might be a good way to do that.

Silk Organic Original Almondmilk may be a good choice for those who want to go the extra mile healthwise. Certified organic, it has only 60 calories per cup, no cholesterol or saturated fat, and is a good source of calcium.

Simply put, organic foods include ingredients made without the aid of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or genetically modified organisms of any kind. Some people think that the natural aspect of organic foods provides a higher-quality taste. Ingredients in Silk Organic Original Almondmilk include organic almonds and cane sugar, along with vitamins and minerals.

If Silk almond milk in the morning isn't rich enough for your coffee cup, try Silk Vanilla Almond Creamer , which also comes in caramel and sweet and creamy flavors. These creamers have an obvious nutty taste with a hint of added flavors. One tablespoon has only 25 calories, 1 gram of fat and 4 grams of sugar.