Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Hello: I'm 18, male, and 230 lbs. (not excessively overweight, for i am 6'1, but i wish to have a less fat %).

So! My question: How much almond milk can i drink (i will list the ingredients) and still lose weight on the diet per day? Ingredients: All natural almondmilk (filterd water, almonds), all natural evaporated cane juice, calcium carbonate, sea salt, locust bean gum, gellan gum, sunflower lecithin (this is what alarmed me), d-alpha-tocopherol (natural vitemin E), zinc gluconate, vitamin A palmitate, riboflavin (B2), vitamin b12,vitamin D2.

I use it in my scrambled eggs. But never have drunk it on this diet before.

edited Jan 4 2012 at 5:29

Shari Bambino
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asked Jan 3 2012 at 16:45

Tim
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Any reason in particular you can't just consume cow/goat milk? More protein, better fats. – Matt Jan 3 2012 at 21:00

Watch out for the gums too. – Kasra Jan 4 2012 at 19:48

Jackie · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-03 17:04:59Z UTC

You should definitely make your own, it is much tastier, and doesn't have the added thickening agents. Usually you just need to soak the nuts in water overnight, then blend them in a strong blender like a Vitamix if you have one, but other ones will work, and add a date or two (pit removed) for sweetening if need be, or raw honey if you are into that, then strain with a nut milk bag, or a fine sieve, or even a brand new washed lady's knee high stocking for the cheapest version! I also sometimes like to add a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon or vanilla for flavoring.

I also LOVE macadamia nut milk, but they are so expensive I hate to waste the pulp, and I tend to not use it, but you can use the pulp for baking, paleo pancakes, etc.

Overall, for weight loss, I would probably just keep it clean and keep out the nuts and nut milks altogether for a few weeks, and then add them in later and see how they affect your weight loss.

Mallory · Answer 2 · 2012-01-03 17:34:01Z UTC

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A spoonfull of almond butter + water makes almond milk. same with any nut butter, coconut butter + water= coconut milk

answered Jan 3 2012 at 17:34

Mallory
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Fine. Go ahead. Make useful suggestions. And what happened to your reputation? Cuz you are a PH grokstar! – Dave S. Jan 3 2012 at 17:38

lol i cant figure out how to login right...i think there are two of me on the site it depends whether i post from work or home – Mallory Jan 3 2012 at 18:20

@Mallory "there are two of me on the site" LOL Now that's an accomplishment. I can barely be in ONE place at a time. :-)) – Nance Jan 4 2012 at 19:46

Dave S. · Answer 3 · 2012-01-03 17:35:18Z UTC

There is no almond cow, therefore there is no almond "milk". To paraphrase Lewis Black, it should be called almond juice (soy milk --> soy juice).

I don't think cavemen were drinking almond milk, so I say no, it is not paleo. But the real question is, should it be consumed in spite of not being paleo? Maybe. Depends.

Almonds, like most nuts, are a bit high in n6. A few is fine - but you probably don't want to make it the base of your pyramid. And then, what other ingredients are in it? Does it require high temperature processing that would oxidize the fat?

Frankly, I have no desire for it and I wouldn't recommend it. But YMMV...

jess6 · Answer 4 · 2012-01-03 19:42:25Z UTC

246mL. Exactly. Don't dare try 250 or you'll balloon up instantly.

Just kidding. You know this question is utterly impossible to answer, right? Even if we go with a strict calories in/calories out theory of weight loss, the answer is going to depend on what else you're eating, your activity level, your fat:muscle ratio, the number of calories per serving (which we can't tell from a list of ingredients), and so forth. And most of us here believe that there's more to weight gain/loss than calories in/calories out.

The real answer is, as others have said, that this is not a product that will optimally support health and weight loss. It looks high in sugar and unhealthy fats. Can you drink some and maintain weight loss? Probably. But we can't tell you exactly how much, and you'll almost certainly do better with a less processed alternative.

Lutfisk · Answer 5 · 2012-01-03 16:47:28Z UTC

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It's sweetened which means you should probably not be drinking very much of it at all :( If you're going to use it, try getting the unsweetened kind or making your own :)

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Almond-Milk

answered Jan 3 2012 at 16:47

Lutfisk
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Pfft, that "evil" sugar. Who said he's low carb? – Matt Jan 3 2012 at 20:58

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Lots of people don't know that "all natural evaporated cane juice" = sugar. I've never seen sugar or refined sweeteners of any kind on a paleo ok food list, even for those who don't do low carb. – Karen Jan 3 2012 at 22:42

The dose makes the poison, and our bodies are perfectly capable of digesting sugar with no ill effect. – Matt Jan 4 2012 at 12:30

Yeah but he wants to drink it and most commercial sweetened almond milk has like 15g a cup. And a bunch of other crap. – Lutfisk Jan 4 2012 at 16:49

i am low carb lol – Tim Jan 22 2012 at 23:03

uberbulldog · Answer 6 · 2012-01-03 16:58:17Z UTC

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I drink almond milk w protein powder for extra protein. I've lost weight while on it but am not attributing that decrease to its consumption.

answered Jan 3 2012 at 16:58

uberbulldog
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Bill1102inf · Answer 7 · 2012-01-04 05:08:11Z UTC

IMO and part of every single decent fat loss plan: If you want to drop bodyfat, you should not be drinking any calorie containing beverages which includes Almond Milk, with or without sugar. Can you lose bodyfat and consume beverages with sugar and fat or protein in them? Sure, but Almond Milk might as well be a gatoraide mixed with whole milk - neither of which is paleo and neither of which will help you lose bodyfat, IMO they help to increase it.

pbo · Answer 8 · 2012-01-04 19:36:08Z UTC

If you make it yourself, then that is one thing, otherwise most Almond Milk people buy in the stores is more of product. Just check the ingredients, and you will see.

I would go with canned or make it yourself Coconut Milk (do not get So Delicious, same issue as Almond Milk).

Unless you handle diary, and can get some grass fed milk, that might be another option.

Nance · Answer 9 · 2012-01-04 19:53:23Z UTC

No one quite said this but it was implied: if you're trying to lose weight and you give a lot of "eatspace" to almond milk, what does that do to your overall health/nutrition over time?

Any of us can eat our preferred snack, but that word implies small quantities. The nice things about eating almonds instead of drinking almond milk is that you get the pure food and there's a natural portion control. Speaking only for myself, pure almonds are nice once in a while but I eat 4-5 and I'm done. They're just not exciting enough to go to town on. Almond milk, on the other hand, would be easy to drink down by the glassful without even thinking about it.

Bottom line: if you're using a little in your cooking, I don't think it's a big deal even if it is sweetened (although I agree making your own allows you to skip additives) but drinking large amounts of almond milk may leave you deficient in other things you might have eaten.

Jason · Answer 10 · 2013-03-26 20:07:47Z UTC

There is not doubt that nuts offer benefits, whether it is trace minerals, vitamins, or omega 3's. Balance out your ratio of omega 3's and 6's by eating more walnuts and fish. Here is an simple entertaining video on Sprouting your nuts to make your own milks. I used a blend of macadamia, brazil, almonds, and walnuts. Sweeten yourself however you prefer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k4f-lHQWz0&list=UUNoSTEfNmyRcW4kuW7eWr9g&index=1

Is Almond Milk on the paleo list?

10 Answers