Almond milk is gluten-free, so you do not have to worry about drinking it if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance. However, flavored and sweetened almond milk may have gluten-containing additives, so give the label a quick read before purchasing.
For many people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, the answer is almond milk or some other type of nut milk. And fortunately, these nut milks are growing in popularity, so there's a generous handful now from which to choose.
Stomach troubles
Excessive almonds can cause digestive issues such as nausea, stomach discomfort, dysentery, and bowel problems if you consume an excessive amount of essential nutrients and minerals. In fact, it can interfere with your medications and can result in severe gastrointestinal reactions in some people.
You Have Inflammatory Problems
Certain types of almond milk are high in carrageenan, which is a thickener that comes from seaweed. It is what makes ice cream have the texture it does. Carrageen, however, makes those who have inflammatory bowel disease or other inflammatory diseases at higher risk.
A handful of small studies have suggested that people who drink A2-only milk may be less likely to experience digestive upset and might have lower levels of systemic inflammation.
Almond milk loses a lot of its nutritional value when the almonds are processed into a drink. As a result, the remaining liquid is fairly devoid of a lot of the nutrients infants need to grow healthily, like calories, protein, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals.
It it's shelf-stable almond milk, which can be stored at room temperature until it's open, you have about seven to 10 days to drink it once open (as long as the open container is kept in the fridge). This timeframe is a guideline, however — the milk could still be totally fine to drink after those days have passed.
"Many commercial almond milks contain additives such as sugar, salt, gum, lecithin, and flavors," says Gina Keatley, CDN, a certified dietitian nutritionist at Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy in New York City. "And carrageenan as an additive can cause GI distress," she adds.
Almond sensitivity can be caused by the digestive tract having difficulty digesting the nut. IgG antibodies react to the almonds, causing inflammation in the body that then can cause unwanted symptoms like bloating or cramps.
Many almond milk brands these days use carrageenan, a thickening agent that has been found to cause all sorts of gastrointestinal issues (as serious as stomach ulcers) and can cause bloating for many people.
Almond milk is naturally gluten-free, and most commercial brands are gluten free as well. Though you may want to check the labels on flavored almond milks to be sure there aren't any gluten-containing additives.
People with celiac disease may be lactose intolerant because their small intestine is damaged. They cannot break down lactose well. However, unlike gluten exposure in people with celiac disease, lactose does not damage your intestine.
If you have untreated coeliac disease, you're more likely to also develop lactose intolerance, where your body lacks the enzyme needed to digest the natural sugar (lactose) found in dairy products. Lactose intolerance causes symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort.
LACTAID® Milk
Having lactase added to the milk allows those who are lactose-intolerant to enjoy cow's milk without the digestive side effects of abdominal cramps, bloating, and flatulence. This milk is available in many formats, including flavoured varieties. Use as you would regular milk.
Bottom line: Almond milk is high in vitamin E and contains healthful fats. Drinking it regularly may benefit your heart.
Once you open the carton, you generally have about 7 days to drink up before the milk goes bad. This is because opening the container allows oxygen to get in, which then lets bacteria breed.
“If the product looks, smells and tastes normal after 7 to 10 days in the fridge, it should be fine—you just need to use your good judgement and be on the lookout for signs of spoilage, especially as a bottle gets closer to empty,” says Neumann.
If you buy your almond milk, make sure to read the label and avoid any brands that contain carrageenan. This common ingredient, derived from seaweed, is frequently found in almond milk and other dairy or faux-dairy products and is used as a stabilizer and thickening agent.
Oat milk has the added benefit of being both nut-free and dairy-free, which is a plus for those who may have nut allergies. And oat milk has a higher fat and protein content than almond milk, which helps with satiety."
Yes. Almond milk is simply a food, so like you can drink milk on an empty stomach, you can do so with almond milk.