If you’re wondering What’s The Best Milk For Keto, I’ve got you covered.
With everything from the best keto cow’s milk, to low-carb healthy milk alternatives, you’ll have so many options you won’t even realize you’re on a special diet.
What’s The Best Milk For Keto?
We love drinking a nice tall glass of milk with our Keto PBJ and splashing it over Magic Spoon keto cereal.
When you follow a Keto Diet a lot of thought goes into the meals you eat, the type of bread used for sandwiches, and much more.
There’s no reason to blow your Low-Carb Diet with a glass of high-carb milk. That’s why I’m here to help you figure out What’s The Best Milk For Keto.
How Many Carbs In Milk?
If you’re on a Keto Diet and wondering how many carbs there are in cow’s milk the answer may not be what you’re hoping for.
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That’s because whole milk has 12 grams of carbs per 8 ounce glass. Whole milk is not a keto-friendly food, and certainly not a good choice when counting carbs on your keto diet.
Can You Have Heavy Cream On Keto?
If you can have cow dairy in your diet, heavy cream is a great keto milk option, though it doesn’t really have the same taste or mouthfeel as cow’s milk because it is so creamy and high in fat that it’s almost greasy.
But it’s the high-fat content that makes heavy cream the perfect keto milk for those following intensive therapeutic ketogenic diets where only 20 grams of carbohydrates per day are allowed.
For more on that check out my Interview with the Top Keto Diet Expert in the World.
What Are The Best Milk Alternatives For Keto?
If you’re on a Dairy-Free Diet heavy cream won’t work for you, but don’t worry, I have plenty of other keto milk options!
There are several low-carb milk alternatives for keto that will rock your special diets world.
Is Almond Milk Keto?
I think the best milk for the keto diet is almond milk. It’s my favorite because it’s very low-carb and has incredible flavor and mouthfeel.
The benefits of drinking almond milk are numerous. Almond milk is dairy-free, vegan, and low-carb to boot.
And there are a number of additional pluses when it comes to almond milk nutrition because it’s high in:
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
- Potassium
If you’re wondering how to make your own almond milk I have a fantastic Homemade Almond Milk recipe for you.
Along with that, I have phenomenal low-carb recipes for using the leftover pulp from the almond milk so that nothing goes to waste!
Is Shelf Stable Almond Milk Low-Carb?
I’m often asked, does almond milk need to be refrigerated? The answer is a resounding yes.
That is unless you buy shelf-stable almond milk in a carton. Once you open that carton it loses its vacuum-packed seal and will need to go right into the refrigerator.
As you may have guessed, I’m a huge fan of almond milk.
I’m so in love with almonds that I wrote The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook in 2008.
Dairy Free Nut Milk Recipes
If you’re not as head over heels for almonds as I am then check out my milk substitute recipes for homemade:
When it comes to low-carb, keto milk alternatives the possibilities are seemingly endless.
Unsweetened Almond Milk For Keto
Just be sure to buy unsweetened almond milk, otherwise, you’re basically drinking liquid carbs which will spike your blood glucose very quickly.
Sweetened almond milk is not a keto-friendly food.
Is Coconut Milk Keto?
Coconut milk is also a fantastic keto-friendly food. Just be sure to buy unsweetened coconut milk.
Is Canned Coconut Milk Keto?
If you’re on a Keto Diet you can use canned coconut milk as long as it’s unsweetened.
I use canned coconut milk in most of my recipes that call for coconut milk like Paleo Pumpkin Pie and 3-Ingredient Keto Chocolate Pudding.
I also use canned coconut milk in many of my low-carb keto ice cream recipes including fan-favorites Low-Carb Creamsicle Ice Cream and Vegan Mint Chip Ice Cream.
Is Coconut Milk In The Carton Keto?
You’re in luck again if you’re looking for more keto milk options because as long as it’s unsweetened, coconut milk in the carton is a fantastic keto milk.
We like this in our Magic Spoon Cereal, and also in Ginger Licorice Tea.
My husband uses this type of coconut milk for his morning coffee, and I love it in my Dandelion Coffee because it’s so creamy and reminds me of the days when I drank actual coffee and added real heavy cream to it.
Those days are long gone since my body does not tolerate caffeine.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve also realized that I’m somewhat carb intolerant, so the keto diet is fantastic for me.
Is Oat Milk Good For Keto?
When my boys are home I keep oat milk in the refrigerator. They say it tastes fantastic.
Some of their friends have even asked me –is oat milk dairy-free? Yes, apparently it tastes so creamy that people can’t tell the difference between oat milk and cow’s milk.
Oat milk is not an option for me for a couple of reasons.
When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 1998 I went on a Gluten-Free Diet and when that didn’t do the trick, I went on a grain-free Paleo Diet shortly thereafter.
I haven’t eaten any grains in decades so oat milk is not an option for me. Furthermore, it is a high-carb drink so a double no-no.
Is oat milk a keto-friendly food? The answer is no. Oat milk is not keto.
What’s The Best Milk For The Keto Diet?
I’ve compiled the table below so that you have the macros for milks at a glance.
As you can see, heavy cream, almond milk, and coconut milk are the clear winners because they’re low in carbohydrates.
What’s The Best Alternative Milk For Keto?
If you’re on a dairy-free diet and looking for healthy milk alternatives, the best low-carb, keto replacements are almond milk and coconut milk.
They’re both delicious on low-carb keto cereal like Magic Spoon.
If you are wondering if almond milk is vegan, yes it is, and so is coconut milk.
Keto Milk For Low-Carb Cereal
Mr. Pantry, who now follows my low-carb diet LOVES almond milk on Magic Spoon keto-friendly cereal. Other times he has it with coconut milk from the carton for an extra creamy treat.
If you’re craving keto cereal with milk and don’t want to buy Magic Spoon, make my Low-Carb Granola recipe.
Cookies And Milk For Keto
I just pulled a batch of my Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies out of the oven and poured a tall glass of my favorite brand of almond milk to drink with it.
Something about this makes me so happy, probably because it reminds me of having cookies and milk in the old days when I was growing up!
Keto Brownies
We also love almond milk with my Keto Brownies for a classic treat.
What’s Your Favorite Low-Carb Milk?
What’s your favorite go-to milk that’s low-carb and keto-friendly? Leave a comment and let me know. And if I missed anything I’d be happy to answer your questions in the comments!
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first shared What’s The Best Milk For Keto in 2020.
Kate Kline says
Hi Elana, You might check out how many thousands of honey bees die while producing almond milk, Especially Almond Breeze.
They are brought in by the thethousands from other states
to pollinate the almond trees and then they die because they have no hives.
There are so many other great milk alternatives.
Blessings.
Kate
Elana says
Thanks Kate.
Susan Shaver says
I now use heavy whipping cream and love it. I discovered that I was having oxalate problems and actually had sharp crystals coming out of my shins and forehead. Almonds are one of the foods highest in oxalates and I had been eating tons of them in the form of almond flour and almond milk for several years as I was gluten free. Please be aware that they, and other foods high in oxalates, can cause problems.
Elana says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here Susan.
Neill says
There is now Pea milk (in the UK at least) which is nearly zero carbs (0.2g) and tastes nice. Brand name Mighty M.L.K: https://www.mightydrinks.com/mighty-mlk-unsweetened/13422324.html
Elana says
Thanks Neil.
Michael Todd Koren says
Milkademia is macadamia nut milk grown in Australia, and available at Whole Foods, Amazon and elsewhere. Unsweetened.
Elana says
Thanks Michael!
Jeanne says
Also our go-to since I don’t tolerate coconut or oat milk and my husband doesn’t tolerate almond milk. It is more expensive but we only use it for cereal
N says
Natures Greatest Foods has the best
organic Coconut cream product.
22% fat – it’s the creaminest!
Diluted with good water to your liking if you want a lower fat product.
I use mostly full strength for the creamy rich chocolate pudding ever.
I use in my Bolognase sauce and fudge keto freezer pops.
NGF also has organic coconut milk and not organic milk.
For the money…the organic coconut cream is the win!
N
Elana says
N, how are you? Thanks for the great tip! <3
Nechama says
Are dates allowed on your diet? Are they a preferred sweetener?
Elana says
Nechama, not really. They’re very high in carbohydrates.
Serge says
I’m on keto and use this full milk https://www.amazon.com/Fairlife-Milk-Whole-52-oz/dp/B00QM3LZQM
Has half the carbs and half the sugar, comparing to all others. My doctor is OK with it, and my A1C does not spike short or long term after having it.
I mostly use it for making homemade ice cream though, along with monk fruit extract sweetener
Elana says
Serge, thank you for sharing that info with us!
William Schubert says
No low carb options for those of us who are allergic to coconut, almonds, and most other tree nuts?
Elana says
William, what about full fat cow’s milk or heavy cream?
Hannah says
I absolutely love flax milk. It’s very low carb and I think could be a keto option.
Elana says
Thanks Hannah!
Aria says
Have you tried hemp milk? I believe pacific foods makes an unsweetened variety.
Elana says
Thanks Aria!
Debby Rubin says
Another non-dairy milk (nut free): On a whim, I purchased Good Karma unsweetened flaxmilk today. It’s got a mild non-descript flavor and is good in coffee, but I’ll probably mix it with cream for more of the ‘feel’ that I like. Calories per cup : 25. Total fat: 2.5 g. Carbs: 1. Protein 0. It has nutritional facts similar to almond milk, but also has 1200 mg of omega-3s, and 60% daily value of vitamin B12.
Elana says
Thanks Debby!
Raeyin says
How about substitutions for cream in recipes? Most commercial subs have sugar. The only other I’m aware of is made of coconut, another food that I react to. Ideas?
Elana says
Raeyin, true confession –I find most substitutes don’t work very well and end up rewriting the entire recipe to accommodate a simple change of one ingredient :-)