You might be wondering, why on earth would you make your own almond milk? Homemade almond is soooo delicious and tastes nothing like the boxed kind. Though I prefer homemade, it’s not the real reason behind my hunt for a simple, cheesecloth-free recipe for almond milk. The real reason is the BIG, UGLY word “CARRAGEENAN” that’s found in most manufactured almond milk. Carrageenan is a food additive extracted from red seaweed. It’s used mostly in dairy products and alternative dairy products to improve texture. There are two types of carrageenan: degraded and undegraded (food grade) carrageenan. Despite what some food manufacturers say about the safety of food-grade carrageenan, studies show both it’s impossible to separate the two versions in the manufacturing process and, regardless, both versions are harmful to our health. Here’s a quick round-up of the extensive research by Dr. Joanne Tobacman on the ill effects of carrageenan:
- It’s linked to malfunctions, ulcers and even cancers of the gastrointestinal tract (please don’t consume if you have any GI issues like IBS)
- It causes inflammation which is linked to many diseases from Parkinson’s to cancer
- It impairs insulin sensitivity which can lead to diabetes
Gross right?! The presence of carrageenan negates why we choose almond milk over cow’s milk in the first place. With almond milk, we’re expecting to avoid the stinky gas and stomach rumbles. But, the research shows carrageenan in almond milk may have you blowing the tank off the toilet! So, what’s a dairy-free mama gonna do?
Well, this mama decided it was time to find an alternative recipe that’s not only free of carrageenan, but is also speedy and simple! Traditional homemade almond is a pain in the tuchus to make. After you’ve spent 8 long hours soaking the nuts, you’ve got to squeeze the thick, messy almond goop through a cheese cloth or a nut bag. Who has time for squeezing a big mess of runny nuts through a mesh bag? Not me! Thank goodness for Almondie by Eden’s Nuts! Almondie is made from high grade, sustainably grown California almonds that are peeled without any heat or chemicals. This process removes acid and enzyme inhibitors so the almonds are easily digestible and contain all of their natural nutrients.
30 Second Almond Milk
1. Combine 2 tsp Almondie with 1 c filtered water in covered container 2. Shake vigorously. 3. Drink!
It was so amazing to find Almondie – a real life saver! When I told peeps at Eden’s Nuts I was writing a blog post about their product, they sent me a coupon code so you can save some moolah.! Use the code “Danielle1” to purchase one jar or “Danielle2” to purchase six jars. Do your fav dairy and alternative dairy brands have carrageenan (check the Cornucopia Institute’s list here)? How do you feel after reading about carrageenan? Are you going to try Almondie? Tell us in the comments!