Almond milk has been a popular milk choice for a long time now, especially as an alternative to regular cow’s milk. I mean, it’s delicious, nutritious, and super dietary versatile!
But what if you’re wanting something new, or something without any allergens?
Sunflower seed milk may be the choice for you! It’s the new kid on the block, slowly becoming more and more popular for its unique milder taste – although it’s a little tricky to get your hands on at the store!
These two plant-based milks are going to go head-to-head in this showdown, battling it out in things like flavor profiles, nutritional qualities, and much more! Then, we’ll know exactly which one is better…
Let’s jump in!
Comparing sunflower seed milk vs almond milk
Sunflower seed milk and almond milk are both plant-based options, but almond milk is the only one with an allergen: tree nuts. Both are great choices for vegan, paleo, and keto diets given that the sunflower seed milk is homemade with ingredients that fit the bill for paleo and keto!
| Sunflower seed milk | Almond milk | |
| Type | Plant-based (seeds) | Plant-based (nut milk) |
| Allergens | None | Tree nuts |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Likely, if homemade with diet-compatible ingredients | Yes |
| Keto? | Likely, if homemade with diet-compatible ingredients | Yes |
Differences between sunflower seed milk and almond milk
The main difference between sunflower seed milk and almond milk is what they’re made from, ultimately creating differences in their flavors.
Sunflower seed milk comes from sunflower seeds, which are soaked and then blended with water. That’s then strained, giving us the delicious sunflower seed milk! It’s really easy to make at home, and you’ll likely have to because it’s not super common in stores.
It has a mild and delicious taste, boasting nutty, seedy, and earthy flavors. Sunflower seed milk is also light and thin in texture, which is similar to almond milk…
Almond milk is made from almonds, which are also blended with water before being strained. It’s one of the most common non-dairy milks available in stores, but it’s also really easy to make almond milk at home!
It boasts a nutty flavor with a slight sweetness to it, and is also light and thin!
How to use sunflower seed milk vs almond milk
Here are some of the best ways to use these two great plant-based milks:
Sunflower seed milk:
- Pour it over your cereal.
- Mix it into oatmeal.
- Make smoothies with it.
- Add it to your coffee or tea.
- Make dairy-free ice cream.
- Create soups and sauces.
Almond milk:
- Use it as a dairy alternative.
- Make smoothies with it.
- Cover your cereal and granola.
- Bake recipes.
- Create dairy-free ice cream.
- Mix into your coffee.
- Create vegan desserts.
- Add a nutty twist to curries and stews.
Can you substitute sunflower seed milk for almond milk?
You sure can! Both of these boast light and thin textures, which bodes well for using them interchangeably. However, they have some differing flavors, with sunflower seed milk being earthy and almond milk being nuttier.
That being said, you can definitely experiment with substituting these out for one another!
Nutrition: Sunflower seed milk vs almond milk
Sunflower seed milk and almond milk are both really low in calories, and sunflower seed milk is slightly higher in total fat. Their carbs are very low, with sunflower seed milk having 2 grams per serving and almond milk having 1 gram per serving.
Both milks are really poor in protein, but sunflower seed milk boasts nutrients like magnesium, selenium, and antioxidants! Almond milk also contains some great nutrients, including vitamin D and calcium!
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Sunflower seed milk | Almond milk |
| Calories | 50 | 30 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 4.5 g (0 g) | 2.5 g (0 g) |
| Total carbs | 2 g | 1 g |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 0 g | 0 g |
| Protein | 2 g | 1 g |
| Calcium | 20% DV | 45% DV |
| Vit D | 6% DV | 25% DV |
How to store sunflower seed milk and almond milk
Sunflower seed milk should be stored in the fridge, especially if you make it yourself! Try to finish it within 2-3 days for homemade versions, and within 7-10 days for packaged versions – keep an eye on the label for specific storage instructions and best-before dates!
Almond milk is best stored in the fridge as well, where it should last for around 7-10 days too!
Sunflower seed milk vs almond milk: Which is better?
So, which plant-based milk should you get?
Sunflower seed milk offers a unique flavor and some great health benefits, while almond milk offers some great health benefits as well and serves as a popular dairy-alternative.
I suggest you try sunflower seed milk out by making it at home, but almond milk takes the win here for being much more accessible and having a great nutritional profile as well!
FAQs
A lot of it comes down to preferences of taste, but sunflower seed milk contains selenium and magnesium!
Sunflower seed milk boasts a mild, nutty, and earthy flavor that tastes like sunflower seeds!
That depends on what you call “healthy.” Raw cow milk, almond milk, cashew milk, and many more types of milk have pros and cons that are different from one another, so I recommend doing a deep dive on them or talking to a health professional to find one that fits your needs!
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