What's The Best Milk For Keto? (2024)

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.

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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.

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?

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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!

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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:

  • Cashew Milk
  • Brazil Nut Milk
  • Turmeric Root Milk

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?

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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.

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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 Coffeebecause 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.

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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 Diseasein 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.

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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.

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Keto Milk For Low-Carb Cereal

Mr. Pantry, who now follows my low-carb diet LOVES almond milk on Magic Spoonketo-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 Cookiesout 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!

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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.

What's The Best Milk For Keto? (2024)

FAQs

What milk is most keto-friendly? ›

◄What milk is OK on keto? Unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, macadamia nut milk, flax milk, soy milk, cashew milk, and pea milk along with half-and-half and heavy cream are all keto-friendly milk options. 1.

Is coconut milk or almond milk better for keto? ›

Coconut milk, compared to almond milk, is higher in fat content and lower in carbohydrates, making it more suitable for a keto diet. Are there any keto-friendly coconut milk brands available? Yes, there are keto-friendly coconut milk brands available. Look for unsweetened and full-fat options.

What kind of milk should I drink on a low carb diet? ›

If you enjoy drinking milk by the glass or use it to make lattes or smoothies, consider unsweetened almond or coconut milk instead. You can typically add a small amount of milk to coffee once per day on many low carb diets.

Does almond milk break ketosis? ›

This faintly nutty-tasting milk is made from almonds. A 100-gram serving of plain, unsweetened almond milk contains 0.67 grams of carbohydrates, making it a great choice for a keto diet.

What creamer can I use on keto? ›

  • Left Coast Keto Coffee Creamer.
  • Grasso Foods Organic High Fat Coffee Creamer.
  • Califia Farms Unsweetened Better Half Coffee Creamer.
  • Laird Superfood Unsweetened Original Coffee Creamer.
  • Organic Valley Heavy Whipping Cream.
  • 360 Nutrition Keto Creamer with MCT Oil.
  • KITU SUPER COFFEE Keto Coffee Creamer.
Mar 6, 2020

Can you go into ketosis if you drink milk? ›

While cow's milk isn't strictly Keto, it doesn't have to be totally off-limits. However, if you're working with a smaller daily carb goal, it may be better to choose a Keto-friendly alternative like almond milk or coconut milk. With the number of Keto-friendly milk options available, there's sure to be one you like.

Is peanut butter keto-friendly? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

What is the best milk with the lowest sugar? ›

If an individual needs to limit their sugar intake, unsweetened almond milk is a good choice as it contains almost no sugar. In comparison, rice milk contains comparable sugar to cow's milk. Milk products with added sugar can contain extremely high levels.

What sodas are keto-friendly? ›

What sodas are keto-friendly? You can drink zero-calorie sodas while on keto. These include Diet co*ke, co*ke Zero, Diet Pepsi, and other no-carb options. You can even make homemade soda with carbonated water, fresh fruits, and plant-based sugar additives.

Does coffee affect ketosis? ›

But java addicts will be pleased to learn that coffee is 100% keto-friendly. Traditional hot or cold brew coffee has zero calories and carbs. The sugars only come into play when syrups and sweeteners are added.

Can I have oat milk on a keto diet? ›

Is oat milk keto-friendly? Oat milk is made by blending oats with water and separating the liquid from the solids. Even though it's lower in carbs than oatmeal, oat milk isn't considered keto-friendly either. One cup of oat milk has approximately 17 g of net carbohydrates.

Is milk in coffee keto-friendly? ›

Both coffee and tea are low in carbs and can be enjoyed on a keto diet as long as they are unsweetened,” says Winnifred, noting that adding a bit of dairy milk or cream is fine as long as you stay within your daily carb limit. For those following a keto diet, feel free to drink unsweetened plant-based milks, too.

What milk is best for frothing keto? ›

Coconut milk is naturally very fatty and has a lovely thick texture that's similar to cow's milk. All that fat means you're able to create some beautiful froth with coconut milk, too.

Why is cream keto but not milk? ›

Heavy Cream is the best cream to use on a keto low carb diet because it has less than 3 grams of net carbs per 100 grams. Why Is Cream Keto But Not Milk? Milk naturally contains sugar, but when cream is made, the sugar is consumed by the bacteria that curdle the milk. Leaving a high-fat, low-carb mixture.

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