Which One’s a Better Nut Milk – Almond or Cashew?

Thanks to the growing availability of plant-based milk, people today have many dairy-free milk options. Such choices lead you towards dilemmas and recently almond milk versus cashew milk is one of the most common among them. 

As a nutritionist, in this blog, I try to analyze these two nut milks on different aspects. Hope this will help to clear doubts and you will be able to choose the correct one according to your needs. 

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Know All About Almond Milk Versus Cashew Milk Nutrition & Benefits

Let’s take a quick comparative look at the differences between almond milk and cashew milk on the basis of various criteria. 

*Source: USDA; Quantity defined is 1 cup

Hope this tabulated comparison helped to clear your confusion about which one is better: Almond milk or Cashew milk.  

The nutritional values mentioned in the table above are for unsweetened packed options. Remember that the values may vary for commercial and homemade ones. 

For a much better understanding let me explain each component. 

Key Ingredients to Prepare Almond Milk Vs Cashew Milk

Basic ingredients to prepare Almond milk are soaked almonds and water. For the Cashew milk, you will need soaked cashews and water. You can adjust the water according to your desired thickness.

If you are making these nut milks at home then a high-speed blender or Nutramilk machine will help you to reduce the waste. 

Does Almond Milk or Cashew Milk Taste Better?

Almond milk and Cashew milk are almost the same in texture, both creamy and smooth. But taste-wise they are slightly different. 

Almond milk has a nutty flavor but cashew milk is less nutty than Almond milk. Cashew milk is sweeter than Almond milk and has a somewhat earthy flavor. 

Suggested Intake Quantity of Almond Milk Vs Cashew Milk

Almond milk and cashew milk both benefit your health in many ways by providing essential nutrients such as Vitamin E, magnesium, copper, potassium, etc. 

It is good to add these alternative milk to your diet but I will suggest limiting your intake to 1 cup per day. By consuming in moderation you can get all the benefits without botheration of any adverse effects. 

Almond Milk Versus Cashew Milk: Better Choice for Calorie Conscious  

Compared to cow milk, both almond milk and cashew milk are low-calorie drinks. Though, commercially sweetened versions are much higher in calories. 

To avoid the high calories It is recommended to try to choose the unsweetened version of these kinds of milk. If you are preparing these nut milks at home, you can further reduce calories by diluting it and adding more water. 

Almond Milk or Cashew Milk for Weight Management?

Most plant-based milks have significantly less fat when compared to dairy milk. Almond milk and Cashew milk are also low in fat. As you can see in the table above, Cashew milk has a lesser amount of fat in comparison to Almond milk.

An important thing to remember here is that the fat in any kind of nut is considered good fat for your heart health, So, you do not have to worry about fat while gulping either Almond milk or Cashew milk.  

Almond Milk Or Cashew Milk – What is a Better Source of Protein?

Although Almond milk and Cashew milk are great alternatives to dairy milk, they both have less protein compared to dairy milk. 

In terms of comparison, both Almond milk and Cashew milk, have almost the same level of protein content. Commercial versions are fortified with protein to make those competitive. 

What To Choose To Fulfill Daily Calcium Requirements- Almond Milk Or Cashew Milk? 

Calcium is a vital nutrient to the human body and it is important for everyone to add calcium-rich food to their diet. Nut milks or for that matter any plant-based milk does not stand a chance against dairy when we talk about calcium

Both these milks are not calcium-rich on their own. Therefore, homemade versions are poor sources of calcium. Having said that if you are choosing market versions you will see that brands are adding calcium to these to make vegan milk comparable to dairy milk. 

If There a Difference in The Recommended Time to Have Almond Milk and Cashew Milk?

It is recommended to add Almond milk and Cashew milk to your morning routine. You can have these as smoothies or with cereals. Almond milk replaces dairy milk very well in the coffee. So, starting your day with these low-calorie milks is a pretty good option to enjoy its benefits. 

Many people also like to consume these milks at bedtime. This is because a warm glass helps them get a good hight’s sleep.

Almond Milk Vs Cashew Milk- Which One’s Better For the Environment?

The growing awareness towards the environment is one of the major reasons that more and more people are opting for non-dairy milk options. 

Almond milk and Cashew milk both are plant-based milk and are considered better and more eco-conscious choices. However, Almonds have a high water footprint as just to grow 1 almond around 12 liters of water is required.  Cashews are also high in water footprint but compared to Almonds they need less water to grow. 

Almond Milk Vs Cashew Milk as Vegan and Keto Drinks

Almond milk and Cashew milk both can be part of a Vegan diet and Ketogenic diet. They both are nondairy products which makes them excellent milk choices for Vegan people. 

Since they are made from plants, they are vegan. What makes them keto-friendly are the fact that they are very low in calories. Therefore, you certainly add these milks if you are following these kinds of diet. However, while buying a package at the store, I would strongly recommend that you choose the unsweetened versions. 

Are the Oral Health Outcomes of Almond Milk Vs Cashew Milk Comparable?

Even though homemade Almond milk and Cashew milk are not great sources of calcium and vitamin D, commercially sold versions are enriched with these nutrients. This makes them comparable to dairy and their consumption can thus help to maintain strong and dense teeth. 

Besides that, Almond milk and Cashew milk are good sources of Vitamin E and potassium which are also helpful to keep your teeth strong and prevent gum diseases.

Almond Milk Versus Cashew Milk: Which is Better for Your Tummy?

Almonds and Cashews are the base ingredients of Almond milk and Cashew milk. Compared to almonds, cashew nuts have almost negligible dietary fiber in them. Dietary fiber helps to maintain a healthy digestive system.

According to Monash University Fodmap, non-dairy milk are low in Fodmap which means they are light for your stomach and you don’t feel bloated after consuming these milks.

Almond Milk Versus Cashew Milk for Body Cooling

Almond Milk and Cashew Milk support you to control body heat. Compared to cashew milk, almond milk is much more effective to cool down your body because soaked almonds are considered very effective in body cooling. 

I will really suggest that during summers you should try to add a glass of cold Almond milk to your day-to-day intake. 

Almond Milk or Cashew Milk, For Better Hydration?

It is widely known that water is the best way to rehydrate your body. Almond milk and Cashew milk are water-rich drinks. This makes both milks good ways to be hydrated.

Apart from water, these milks are also rich in certain minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. These minerals act as electrolytes and help in maintaining the balance between fluids in the body.

What Goes Well With Almond Milk and Cashew MIlk?

If you are consuming an unsweetened form of Almond milk and Cashew Milk then I will suggest adding some flavors. Almond milk goes very well with vanilla essence and cocoa powder along with fruits such as bananas and strawberries. 

For Cashew milk you can add honey and maple syrup. Dates are also a good option to add in Cashew milk. Try these nutritional additives next time whenever you consume Almond milk or Cashew milk. 

I hope this blog helped you to find the right answer to choosing between Almond milk and Cashew milk. Before adding these nut milks to your diet, I will definitely recommend making sure that you don’t have any kind of nut allergy. 

Thanks for stopping by and going through the blog. Keep encouraging me to write more by sending your suggestions and comments.