Almond Milk vs Macadamia Milk: How To Choose?

In this article, we are going to compare almond milk and macadamia milk to see how they compare in many aspects including calories, nutritional content, taste, usage, effects on weight loss, and environment.

To make this comparison as fair as possible and get a realistic picture of how almond and macadamia milk compare, we’ve used USDA’s date on products that are unsweetened and that aren’t fortified or that are minimally fortified if the completely unfortified product isn’t available.

Both almond and macadamia milk are dairy-free, and therefore suitable for vegans and people that stick to a plant-based diet for a variety of reasons, but there are also many differences between these plant-based drinks.

Let’s see what almond and macadamia drinks are, how they are produced, and finally how they compare in various ways.

What is Almond Milk and How It’s Made?

Almond milk is a nut-based beverage that is becoming more and more popular day by day.

The reason behind the popularity of almond milk is that in addition to its light taste, it can also contain a nutritional composition that may be beneficial for you.

Almond milk is actually the best-selling non-dairy milk in the United States, followed by oat and soy milk.

Since almond milk isn’t a dairy product, it doesn’t contain any lactose. As a consequence of this, it is an excellent alternative for those who are unable to digest lactose.

Almond milk consists of two ingredients: water and almonds. Store-bought products usually contain between 2 and 5% of almonds, but also might contain other ingredients such as salt, stabilizers, and emulsifiers to make them taste better and to extend their shell life.

There are also unsweetened and sweetened variants, as well as products with added flavors such as chocolate or vanilla-flavored almond milk.

Also, almond milk products are usually fortified with vitamins and minerals that are hard to obtain on a plant-based diet, including calcium, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D.

What is Macadamia Milk and How It’s Made?

Macadamia milk is another plant-based milk product that has gained popularity in recent years and is appreciated by many individuals.

Sugar-free versions are low-calorie, low-carb, and gluten-free.

It’s also loaded with a host of properties, such as it can support your vitamin D intake, its calcium content is even higher than cow’s milk, and it’s non-GMO.

Unsweetened macadamia milk is keto-friendly. It is one of the milk with the lowest carbohydrate content of all plant milk.

Along with unsweetened pea milk, they contain less than 1 gram of carbohydrates and no sugar at all.

Instead, they’re rich in heart-friendly healthy fats thanks to the composition of macadamia nuts. However, it is worth noting that since they are made into milk, they contain less than 4% macadamia and mostly contain water.

Almond vs Macadamia Milk Nutrition and Calories

In this section, we’ll analyze the similarities and differences between almond milk and macadamia milk based on nutritional information provided by USDA.

Macronutrients

Plant-based milks mostly consist of water, and almond and macadamia milks are no exceptions.

3.5 oz or 100 g of almond milk contains 15 calories, and consists mostly of fat (1.22 g), followed by protein (0.55 g) and carbs (0.34 g).

Speaking of macadamia milk, the same amount contains 21 calories, and consists mostly of fat (2.08 g), followed by protein (0.42 g) and carbs (0.42 g).

The table below compares the nutrition of a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) portion of almond milk to the same amount of macadamia milk.

Fiber

Fiber is important for our health as it keeps us feeling full, prevents constipation, lowers sugar spikes and regulates sugar levels, lowers total and LDL cholesterol, and provides many other benefits.

When it comes to dietary fiber, almond milk is a better choice. It contains 0.45 g per 3.5oz (100g), while macadamia milk is lower in dietary fiber with 0.4 g.

Micronutrients

What about micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in almond and macadamia milk?

The table below shows the most important vitamins and minerals in unfortified or minimally fortified plant-based drinks available in the market. Some of these nutrients are hard to get on a vegan diet.

Weight Loss

If you’re trying to lose weight, you probably want to know whether almond or macadamia milk is better for you.

Almond and almond are very similar in calories.

Almond milk has 15 calories per 3.5 oz (100 g), while macadamia milk has 21 calories, so speaking strictly about calories, there’s no much difference.

Almond vs Macadamia Milk Taste and Uses

Almond milk is a low-carb, nutritionally dense, nut-based milk with a watery consistency. It has a slightly nutty taste and can also be a little sweet, depending on the type and quantity of almonds used while making the milk.

It is to be kept in mind that heating almond milk for a long time or on high heat may turn it bitter.

Almond milk can be used in coffee, hot chocolate, pancakes, French toast, smoothies, and even ice creams. It can also be used in baked items like cookies, bread, cakes, and brownies.

Macadamia milk has a perfect balance of flavor and texture. It is creamy, sweet, and slightly nutty.

Many people may get a vanilla-like aftertaste when using it.

Macadamia milk is the perfect plant-based milk choice for coffee and chai.

It pairs well with both hot and cold drinks. It goes well with iced tea and hot chocolate. Macadamia milk can be poured over any breakfast cereal or used as a base for vegan ice-creams.

You can use macadamia milk as an ingredient when baking cakes and bread. You can also use it to complement vegetable curries.

Conclusion

Almond milk and macadamia milk are both plant-based, non-dairy beverages, suitable for vegans.

Almond milk and macadamia milk have their similarities and differences, but both are nutritious and a healthful addition to your diet. When available, always choose unsweetened, fortified products or try making them at home.

Plant milks, including almond and macadamia milks are easy to add to a diet, and can be used in varieties of recipes and dishes.

Fortified products will help get different nutrients, including micronutrients that are usually hard to get on a plant-based diet, such as vitamin B-12, vitamin D, calcium and others.

If you’re willing to learn more about these non-dairy milks, read our articles about them: Almond Milk and Macadamia Milk.

Other Almond Milk Comparisons

• Almond vs Barley
• Almond vs Cashew
• Almond vs Coconut
• Almond vs Oat
• Almond vs Pea
• Almond vs Rice
• Almond vs Soy

Other Macadamia Milk Comparisons

• Barley Milk vs Macadamia Milk
• Cashew Milk vs Macadamia Milk
• Coconut Milk vs Macadamia Milk
• Macadamia Milk vs Oat Milk
• Macadamia Milk vs Pea Milk
• Macadamia Milk vs Rice Milk
• Macadamia Milk vs Soy Milk