Starbucks coconut milk vs. almond milk: which one is healthier?

Though I have always loved Starbucks coffee, I was looking for ways to eat healthier. I was glad to discover that Starbucks had lactose-free milk alternatives. Though this is great news for vegans, some are torn between the different options available and wonder which one is healthier. Before I started ordering my drinks with these alternatives, I researched almond milk and coconut milk and created this post. You will also learn what each of them contains. Read on!

What are the differences between Starbucks coconut milk vs. almond milk?

Features	Coconut milk	Almond milk
Ingredients	Water, coconut water concentrate, cane sugar, coconut cream, gellan gum, corn dextrin, guar gum, Vitamin D2, and carrageenan	Almonds, filtered water, Vitamin D2, vitamin A palmitate, sunflower lecithin, tricalcium phosphate, sugar, guar gum, and xanthan gum.
Taste profile	Sweet undertone Creamy	Nutty undertone Less creamy
Caffeine content/ Nutritional value	No caffeine. A serving of this contains 180 calories and 17 grams of sugar. This has high-fat content.	No caffeine. A serving of this has 130 calories and 7 grams of sugar. This is also unique since it has fiber.
Availability/ Accessibility	Easy to access	Available

Starbucks coconut milk vs. almond milk – How They Compare.

What it’s made of (ingredients)

Starbucks coconut milk is not only made up of water and coconuts. It also has emulsifiers and food additives. The full list of ingredients in this milk alternative includes cane sugar, vitamin A and D2, gellan gum, xanthan gum, corn dextrin, natural flavors, carrageenan, and coconut cream.

The problem with some of the ingredients in Starbucks coconut milk is that they have some health concerns. For instance, corn dextrin, which is associated with bacteria, and carrageenan, which can cause inflammatory effects in some people.

On the other hand, Starbucks almond milk contains xanthan gum, guar gum, almonds, filtered water, tricalcium phosphate, sugar, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin, sunflower lecithin, and sea salt. Though some of the ingredients in these milk alternatives are similar, almond milk is safer since it does not have carrageenan or corn dextrin.

Starbucks almond milk, therefore, wins in this category since it has safer ingredients.

Taste profile

Starbucks coconut milk is slightly sweet. This milk alternative can add sweetness to bitter Starbucks beverages such as a latte. Coconut milk is also creamier than almond milk. If you like a nutty taste, you should consider adding almond milk to your drink. This milk alternative is famous for its nutty undertones. The nuttiness of almond milk can significantly boost the taste of spicy Starbucks beverages.

Though Starbucks almond milk is less creamy than coconut milk, it wins in this category since it is quite tasty and incredibly refreshing.

Caffeine content/nutritional value

Starbucks coconut milk is not very healthy since a serving of this contains 180 calories and 17 grams of sugar. This milk alternative has no caffeine.

On the other hand, a serving of Starbucks almond milk has 130 calories and 7 grams of sugar. Apart from that, this milk alternative also has fiber which is not available in coconut milk. This milk alternative does not contain caffeine. Feel free to add it to different caffeinated drinks.

Starbucks almond milk, therefore, wins in this category since it is more nutritious and has fewer calories.

Availability/ Accessibility

Since Starbucks started offering dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk and almond milk, they have been easy to access. You only need to order one of the drinks at Starbucks and then tell the barista to use either of them instead of regular milk. Note that you may have to pay extra for this substitution.

Since Starbucks coconut milk and almond milk are easy to access, they draw in this category.

Starbucks coconut milk vs. almond milk: A comparison overview

Starbucks Coconut Milk – Overview

One of the things that makes Starbucks popular is the freedom it offers customers. If you wish to customize your beverage, you can order it with coconut milk. This is a great option for Starbucks customers who are lactose intolerant. This coffee house uses Origin Sumatra Coconut milk.

This is a certified dairy-free alternative that you can order with your drink for an additional cost. However, some Starbucks customers question the coconut milk this coffee chain uses. While actual coconut milk contains only water and coconuts, Starbucks coconut milk has emulsifiers and food additives. Some of the main components in Starbucks coconut milk have some health concerns.

For instance, it contains corn dextrin, which is associated with certain bacteria. Apart from that, Starbucks coconut milk contains carrageenan, which can cause bloating and inflammation in some people. However, not every ingredient in Starbucks coconut milk is unhealthy.

This milk alternative contains fatty acids that can fight infections in the body and help in lowering blood pressure.

You can ask a Starbucks barista to add coconut milk to beverages like mocha or latte. This milk alternative is popular among Starbucks customers since it is creamy and tastes sweet. Note that this milk alternative has a lot of sugar. For instance, a serving of coconut milk has 17 grams of sugar.

Research shows that women should not take over 25 grams of sugar, and men should not have more than 36 grams of sugar in a day. Taking a Starbucks beverage with coconut milk can bring you so close to these limits. It is easy to exceed the limit if you take any other sugar items during the day.

What I liked

• It is creamy and tasty

What I didn’t like

• Starbucks coconut milk contains additives
• Has more calories

Who it’s best suited for

• This is best suited for a customer with a sweet tooth.

Starbucks Almond Milk – Overview

If you need a delicious dairy-free alternative at Starbucks, you should consider almond milk. Starbucks almond milk is made from almonds which have a small amount of plant sugars. This is among the most popular milk alternatives that Starbucks customers order with beverages like frappuccino, flat white, pumpkin spice latte, and salted caramel mocha. It can give such drinks a more delicious taste.

This is among the healthiest milk alternatives available at Starbucks. The coffee house gets its almond milk from different brands, such as Borden and Lucerne milk. Starbucks almond milk is made from almonds that are soaked in water and then filtered.

It is healthy since it is rich in prebiotic fiber and is also low in carbs, fat, and calories. The type of fat present in Starbucks almond milk is monounsaturated fat which can help lower the cholesterol in the body and promote weight loss. Though taking almond milk cannot deliver such results alone, you can include this milk alternative to your healthy eating plan as you take other measures to lose weight.

Almond milk is also full of nutrients such as magnesium, manganese, copper, and protein. The other ingredients in Starbucks almond milk include xanthan gum, sea salt, sunflower lecithin, vitamin D2, Guar Gum, and Vitamin A Palmitate. This milk alternative is made up of 3% almonds. Ingredients such as xanthan gum and guar gum in Starbuck almond milk are included to emulsify and thicken the milk. Though these ingredients are safe, a small percentage of people may develop allergies from them.

Since Starbucks almond milk is diluted with water, the nutrients in this milk option are not in very large amounts. The fact that this milk alternative is low in protein makes it less ideal for younger kids. Though Starbucks almond milk has less sugar content, you can sweeten it with a natural sweetener like stevia. This is a good option since it does not have any calories or sugar. It is better than adding other sweeteners such as sugar or stevia to your drink.

What I liked

• It is low in calories and sugar
• It adds a nutty taste to drinks

What I didn’t like

• It is less creamy

Who it’s best suited for

• It is ideal for customers trying to lose weight.

Final Verdict: So, Which is better? – Starbucks coconut milk vs. almond milk

Starbuck almond milk is better than coconut milk. This is because it has safer ingredients, is more nutritious, tastier, and is low in calories. Many Starbucks customers consider it the healthiest milk alternative available at this coffee house.

FAQ section

Which is better for you: almond milk or coconut milk?

Almond milk is better for you since it not only adds a unique flavor to drinks but also has a lot of nutrients like fiber. You don’t have to worry about any of its ingredients causing side effects since it is safer than coconut milk.

Between coconut milk and almond milk, which one goes well with iced coffee?

Almond milk goes well with iced coffee since it gives it a nutty flavor and makes it more nutritious.

Is Starbucks almond milk sweeter than coconut milk?

Though Starbucks almond milk has less sugar compared to coconut milk, it is more delicious than coconut milk since it gives drinks a nutty flavor that is quite delicious.