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.
Scott says
Milkadamia (unsweetened) is our go to! Basically zero carbs, 50 calories, vegan, lactose free and no GMO. Plus it’s shelf stable and they have the 6 packs case regularly at Costco! Perfect with Magic Spoon and another keto friendly granola cereal. That’s basically all we use it for. Vanilla unsweetened NutPod creamer for our coffee that is at Costco as well(or heavy cream)
Elana says
Thanks Scott!
Nan says
This is for sure 5 stars at our house. I just got some of this brand , and shared it with a daughter and my sister. One of my daughters is vegetarian. She asked if she could have another box to take to work. The most “milk like” tasting replacing alternate I’ve found. (I love milk but limit it). The only correction I’d suggest to Scotts post is if you count calories an 8 ounce glass of Milkadamia is only 40 calories (not a 50). He is correct, no sugar, and >1 carb. Makes a great green smoothie, and I’m looking forward to experimenting on other smoothies and other recipes.
Elana says
Thanks Nan!
Elana says
Robbie, use the whole can :-)
Elana says
Thanks Katie!
Katie Erickson says
There’s actually a keto specific milk out! It’s called Mooala Keto Mylk, it is plant based, dairy-free, comes in different flavors, and is 1 net carb per serving. They have the unsweetened original, cinnamon roll, unsweetened vanilla creme, and chocolatey chip. They also make creamers.
Robbie Gardiner says
When your recipe calls for a “can” of full coconut milk, is that JUST the heavy, congealed cream on top or does it INCLUDE that water?
G says
You’re missing one of the best options here – Fairlife filtered milk. Every variety, aside from the chocolate milk, is lactose free and has only 6 grams of net carbs and 13g of protein. If you get a carton of skim Fairlife and a carton of heavy creamer, you can make a 50/50 mix of Fairlife & creamer that tastes almost exactly like regular milk and has only 3g net carbs per serving. Or 75/25 if you can afford another 1.5g.
Elana says
Thanks G!
Jennifer Elliott says
I agree, Fairlife is my favorite! It provides the taste and the protein boost you can’t get from almond milk.
Elana says
Thanks Jennifer!
Charyl says
I prefer macadamia milk taste to almond milk in tea, but I can have dairy so for coffee I’ve been using PIKNIK unsweetened Keto Creamer made with grass fed butter, grass fed whey protein, MCT oil. I love it! It’s the closest thing I’ve found to a cream taste, but not as high in fat.
Total fat: 4.5g sat fat 3g
Total carb: 1g
Total sugar: 0
Protein: 2g
That’s for 1/4 c but I only use a couple tablespoons for coffee.
Elana says
Thanks so much Charyl!
Sue B says
I make my own almond milk for everything, however no matter how much I try, I can’t get used to it in my morning coffee and need milk! I have found two milk options here in Canada Joya and Fairlife that are lactose free. Lactose free milk, tastes the same as regular milk, however the natural sweetness has been removed and therefore reduces the carbs. The Fairlife brand is only 6 g per cup and the Joya 8g vs. A cup of regular milk at 12g. I now minimize my milk consumption to 1 cup per day:)
Elana says
Thanks Sue!
B says
Check out Ripple pea milk
Elana says
Thanks B!
Olga kruse says
I love your books. I have all three. You are so inspiring and so far whatever ikr made from your cookbooks have been superbly delicious! Thank you for all you do and ARE!
Elana says
Olga, what a wonderful comment! Thanks for your kind words and for making my day :-)
Mark says
Ripple pea milk is by far the worst substitute I’ve ever had. One sip, spit it out and threw the rest away. If you want the closest and best, it’s Fairlife for sure. I’ve also used Good Karma unsweetened flax milk. It tastes like old damp cardboard but is still much better than Ripple. From a life-long Wisconsinite who has a daily intake of half a gallon of milk and a pint (or more) of Ben and Jerry’s a day when not on keto.
Elana says
Mark, thanks for your comment :-)
Suzn says
How about Hemp/Hempseed milk? I love it, as well as Macademia and Flaxseed milks…they all seem to be low in carbs…
Elana says
Suzn, sounds good!
Larry says
I love hemp milk. Easy to make and a clean taste. Have also made oat and pea milks, but by far prefer the hemp milk. Best if you let it sit in fridge 3 or 4 hours to soften before blending in a high speed blender. Same with oat milk. The soaking takes away any “grainy” texture.
Elana says
Thanks Larry!