Almond milk (unsweetened) vs Whole milk

The short answer

Cow’s milk brings far more protein and natural B12; unsweetened almond milk is much lighter in calories and, being fortified, often carries more calcium and vitamin E. Cow’s milk for the protein and a fuller drink, almond milk when you want a low-calorie, plant-based pour.

Almond milk (unsweetened) and Whole milk, per 100 g and per portion. A gap means USDA has no value for it — not zero.

Almond milk (unsweetened) · per 100 gWhole milk · per 100 g
Calories1561
Protein0.4 g3.2 g
Fat1 g3.3 g
Carbs1.3 g4.8 g
Fiber0.2 g0 g
Sugars0.8 g5.1 g
Sodium72 mg43 mg
Vitamins & minerals — where both carry data
Calcium184 mg113 mg
Folate1 µg5 µg
Iron0.3 mg0 mg
Magnesium6 mg10 mg
Niacin0.1 mg0.1 mg
Phosphorus9 mg84 mg
Potassium67 mg132 mg
Riboflavin0 mg0.2 mg
Thiamin0 mg0 mg
Vitamin A0 µg46 µg
Vitamin B120 µg0.5 µg
Vitamin B60 mg0 mg
Vitamin C0 mg0 mg
Vitamin D1 µg1.3 µg
Vitamin E6.3 mg0.1 mg
Vitamin K0 µg0.3 µg
Zinc0.1 mg0.4 mg
At equal calories (per 100 kcal)
ProteinAlmond milk (unsweetened): 2.7 g, Whole milk: 5.2 g · FiberAlmond milk (unsweetened): 1.3 g, Whole milk: 0 g · SodiumAlmond milk (unsweetened): 480 mg, Whole milk: 70.5 mg

Generic USDA foods (not brands), so both carry micronutrients. Numbers are per 100 g unless the portion toggle is on. USDA FoodData Central, as of 2026-08-12.

Common questions
Is Almond milk (unsweetened) or Whole milk better?

Neither is “better” on its own — it depends what you want from it. The table shows where each is higher; the short answer says when each one fits. Compare on the same basis (per 100 g) and pick for your dish and your goal.

How were these numbers worked out?

Straight from USDA FoodData Central for the generic form of each food, per 100 g. We show the portion view too, but portion sizes differ between foods, so per 100 g is the fair comparison.

Why does one column say “no data”?

Because USDA has no value for that nutrient in that food — so we leave it blank rather than print a 0 that would read as “none”. A real zero from USDA still shows as 0.

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