How many calories are in almond milk?

Unsweetened almond milk contains just 15-26 kcal per 100ml, making it one of the lowest calorie milk alternatives. A full 200ml glass provides only 30-52 kcal. By comparison, whole milk contains 64 kcal per 100ml and semi-skimmed contains 46 kcal per 100ml. The very low calorie count is because almond milk is mostly water — typically only 2-4% almonds.

Is almond milk ultra-processed?

Most commercial almond milks sold at Tesco are NOVA 4 (ultra-processed). They contain stabilisers like locust bean gum and gellan gum, calcium carbonate fortification, and sometimes emulsifiers. These are industrial additives not found in a home kitchen. The exception is Plenish Organic Almond Milk, which contains only almonds and water, making it NOVA 1. If avoiding ultra-processed foods matters to you, Plenish is the only Tesco option, but it costs nearly double.

What is the glycemic index of almond milk?

Unsweetened almond milk has a glycemic index of effectively 0, which is classified as Low GI. With only 0.5g of carbohydrates per 100ml, it has virtually no impact on blood glucose levels.

Glucose: Very LowNOVA 4

Nutritional Information for Almond Milk

Q: Does almond milk spike blood sugar?

Unsweetened almond milk will not spike blood sugar. It contains just 0.4-0.5g of carbohydrate per 100ml — far too little to cause any measurable glucose response. However, sweetened almond milk varieties can contain 3-4g of sugar per 100ml, which while still relatively low, is significantly more. Always choose unsweetened versions and check the label, as some brands market 'original' flavour which is actually sweetened.

Almond milk (sold as 'almond drink' in the UK) is a very low calorie dairy alternative at just 15-26 kcal per 100ml for unsweetened versions. From a SpikeSaver perspective, unsweetened almond milk contains only 0.4-0.5g of carbohydrates per 100ml — essentially zero glucose impact. However, most commercial almond milks are NOVA 4 (ultra-processed) because they contain emulsifiers, stabilisers (locust bean gum, gellan gum), and fortification additives. The almond content is typically only 2-4%. Sweetened versions add significant sugar and should be avoided if managing blood glucose.

Nutrition per 100g

Nutrient	Per 100g	Per serving
Energy	15 kcal / 61 kJ	30 kcal
Protein	0.7g	1.4g
Carbohydrates	0.5g	1g
of which sugars	0.5g	—
Fat	1g	2g
of which saturated	0.1g	—
Fibre	0.5g	—
Salt	0.17g	—

Serving size: 1 glass (~200ml) · Source: Tesco product page, October 2025

Glucose impact

Glycemic Index

Very Low

Glucose risk

Unsweetened almond milk contains just 0.4-0.5g of carbohydrate per 100ml. Even a full 200ml glass provides only 1g of carbs — this will not produce any measurable blood sugar response. However, sweetened almond milk varieties can contain 3-4g of sugar per 100ml, which while still low, is significantly more than unsweetened versions. Always choose unsweetened.

Processing level

NOVA 4 (ultra-processed)

Most commercial almond milks are NOVA 4 because they contain stabilisers (locust bean gum, gellan gum), emulsifiers, and fortification additives (calcium carbonate, vitamins). The Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink lists stabilisers as key ingredients. The Alpro version contains calcium carbonate fortification. The exception is Plenish Organic Almond Milk, which contains only almonds and water (NOVA 1), though it is significantly more expensive.

Almond Milk at Tesco

Source: Tesco product page, October 2025

Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink 1L

2 UPF markers

£1.25*NOVA 4 (ultra-processed)

Plenish Organic Almond Milk Dairy Alternative Chilled 1L

£2.35*NOVA 1 (unprocessed)

Alpro No Sugars Nutty Almond Drink 500ml

2 UPF markers

£1.20*NOVA 4 (ultra-processed)

Califia Farms Unsweetened Organic Almond Drink 750ml

1 UPF marker

£2.25*NOVA 4 (ultra-processed)

*Prices were correct at the time of collection and may have since changed. Check Tesco.com for current pricing.

What to watch for when shopping

Almost all commercial almond milks are NOVA 4 due to stabilisers and emulsifiers — this is the biggest thing to be aware of. The almond content is typically just 2-4%, meaning you are mostly drinking water with additives. If you want a genuinely unprocessed option, Plenish Organic (just almonds and water) is the only NOVA 1 choice at Tesco, but it costs nearly double at £2.35/L vs £1.25/L. For sweetened versions, check sugar content carefully — some add 3-4g sugar per 100ml. Protein content is very low (0.7-0.9g/100ml) compared to whole milk (3.4g/100ml). Budget tip: Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink 1L at £1.25 is the cheapest option.

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