5 Things to know about buying dairy free milk!

Have you ever gone to the store to pick up some 'milk' and then gotten there and realized you had 1,001 options, even though you were just going for some almond milk?

Yesterday I was at the store and there was a woman lingering in front of the cooler where I get the brand I like, she was picking up container after container, reading the labels, and finally settled on one. I went up and grabbed the one I always get and she asked me if it was good. And I said, yep of course and I told her why...this always happens to me at grocery stores by the way.

That's what I tell my husband when he asks me why it took so long...

Before I knew what to look for, I would read label after label and wonder should I get this store brand or Silk or Almond Dream or the cold version or the kind in the box on the shelf that's dried or in a can???

Ughh....I just wanted some milk for my smoothies and now I have a headache!

There are so many kinds of milk alternatives out there now that it is no wonder it can be confusing. Here are some of the common and lesser known varieties you could be seeing at the stores today:

• Almond 
• Flax
• Coconut
• Hemp
• Quinoa
• Rice
• Pistachio
• Cashew
• Blends
• Unsweetened
• Partially sweetened
• Flavored
• Goat

And even within these, there are more categories! 

When you are looking for your go-to milk alternative follow this checklist to get the most (or should I say least) for your money:

• Avoid Carageenan: this a known carcinogen
• Limit the label list, fewer ingredients are better 
• If you buy a canned milk, find a BPA free can
• Go for unsweetened, you don't need anymore sugar in your life
• Organic or at least GMO-free make sure they aren't chemicals on your food!

My private clients who are following their specific elimination diets literally have to find milks from their allowed foods list with 1 - 2 ingredients. Meaning coconut and water, or make their own from an allowed nut like cashews or almonds or walnuts. That's the purest you can get with any food, this is the best way to shop for all of your foods! And if you do, you'll realize you aren't buying very much that comes in a box or a bag. #eatrealfood

I'm creating a new "How to buy Dairy Free Milk Guide" right now! If you want it, you can get it in my private FB group, Pure Foodies! I'll have it ready for you soon so you know everything you need to know about milk alternatives and how to shop for the absolute best!