Almond milk continues to be one of the most scanned, searched, and asked about products in Trash Panda. With the large variety of options - varying dramatically in quality and nutrient density - it can be confusing to shop for. Not to worry- we’ve summarized everything to look for when shopping for this great dairy-free alternative. We’re covering everything from gum additives, differences in varieties (such as barista blends), green flags, and our favorite Trash Panda approved options - like this vanilla almond milk from Three Trees.

One commonly found ingredient in dairy-free milks is carrageenan; an additive used to thicken and emulsify food and drinks. We identify carrageenan as potentially harmful as it has been linked to gastrointestinal disease and inflammation. For this reason, we recommend scanning your milk and opting for carrageenan-free brands instead.

Have you ever noticed ingredients such as cellulose gum, guar gum, and xanthan gum showing up in different packaged foods? Food gums are additives that help thicken liquids, keep foods and beverages stable so nutrients remain mixed, and help produce a consistent texture.

In general, these gum additives are included in highly-processed foods. Therefore, we recommend seeking out some simple swaps that are minimally processed or whole foods to reduce the number of foods in your diet that contain gums.

If you’ve ever seen barista varieties marketed on the shelves and not known the difference, you’re certainly not alone. Barista blend milks are designed to foam and steam, but this often comes with the addition of other ingredients. Many of these versions contain seed oils, which are high in omega-6 fatty acids. We flag these in Trash Panda because overconsumption can lead to inflammation.

Our advice? Invest in a high-quality almond milk without any harmful or artificial ingredients. Any of the Three Trees products are a great place to start. Their ingredients are filtered water and almond milk. And that’s what we like to see!

Beyond that, Three Trees uses a higher proportion of almonds than other brands, so the consistency is closer to dairy milk (yes, please!) and more nutrient-dense in healthy fats and protein.

Three Trees is available inWhole Foodsor online. Plus, keep a look out on our Instagram for a chance to win FREE almond milk from Three Trees this week! And don’t forget to use Trash Panda at the grocery store if you’re ever confused about the ingredients in the products you buy - we’re here to help you find the good.