Should You Mix Almond Milk with Protein Powder?

📌 Overview and Key Takeaways

Should you mix almond milk with protein powder?

Discover what to mix with protein powder for the best results.

Last Updated
May 23, 2026

Author and Medical Reviewer

Written by Jack, CNC

Jack is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Nutrition Coach.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before making changes to your diet.

Mixing Protein Powder With Almond Milk

Should You Mix Protein Powder with Almond Milk?

Almond milk is a plant milk made from ground almonds and filtered water.

It is naturally dairy and lactose-free, making it popular among those who are lactose intolerant.

Almond milk is a also popular choice because it tastes better than water, but is cheaper and has fewer calories than other plant milks.

Many people, myself included, like to make protein shakes with almond milk.

Depending on your preferences and nutrition goals, it might be a good choice for you too.

That said, almond milk is not always the healthiest choice.

First of all, almond milk barely contains any almonds.

Although there is no way of knowing exactly what percentage of almond milk is almonds, a class-action lawsuit against Blue Diamond (Almond Breeze) suggests most almond milks contain only 2% almonds.

Almond milk thus does not offer nearly the same nutritional value as whole almonds, so you may be better off using a more nutritious option like cow’s milk.

Moreover, most almond milks are full of food additives like gums and seed oils, which can cause painful digestive issues and even long term health problems.

Did you know that regularly eating some of the food additives in almond milk can alter the composition of your gut microbiome (North Clin Istanb, 2019)?

This can lead to gut dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut bacteria, which contributes to a wide range of chronic diseases, including obesity, type 1 diabetes, and colorectal cancer (Microorganisms, 2022; J Exp Med, 2019).

So, mixing protein powder with almond milk is only a good idea if the almond milk is additive-free.

Keep in mind that making a protein shake with almond milk will change the nutritional profile of your shake.

A cup of unsweetened almond milk contains 30 to 60 calories, which means that your protein shake will have 30 to 60 more calories than it would if it were mixed with water alone.

Depending on your nutritional goals, this may or may not be a good thing.

In closing, it is worth mentioning that plant-milks are not the only thing that contain food additives.

Many, if not most, protein powders also contain emulsifiers, thickeners, and other additives, all of which can upset your stomach!

If this gives you pause, consider switching to Drink Wholesome.

It’s made for sensitive stomachs from a short list of simple ingredients.

Sources

1. Northern Clinics of Istanbul (North Clin Istanb). Food additives and microbiota. 2019.
2. Microorganisms (Microorganisms). Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Triggers, Consequences, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options. 2022.
3. The Journal of Experimental Medicine (J Exp Med). The gut microbiome: Relationships with disease and opportunities for therapy. 2019.

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This article was written by a Certified Nutrition Coach and reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. We rely on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources, and regularly update our content to ensure accuracy and clarity.