Least Processed Plant-Based Milk Brands
Oat milk undergoes enzymatic treatment that breaks down starches into sugars — a processing step most consumers do not know about. Almond milk is essentially filtered almond water with added thickeners. Most plant milks add oils, stabilizers (gellan gum, locust bean gum), vitamins, and emulsifiers to approximate dairy milk consistency.
Plant-Based Milk at a Glance
15 Least Processed Plant-Based Milk Brands
Brands ranked by lowest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embe | 5 | 1.0 2.4 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Pamana | 6 | 1.5 3.0 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Wander nuts | 10 | 1.7 5.0 | 0 | 10 |
| 4 | Natures greatest foods | 18 | 1.7 2.5 | 0 | 15 |
| 5 | Thai kitchen | 42 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 42 |
| 6 | Aroy-d | 4 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | Winneram intl | 3 | 2.0 3.5 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Asian taste | 3 | 2.0 4.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | Bareorganics | 3 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | Lavva | 5 | 2.0 3.2 | 0 | 5 |
| 11 | Jubali | 3 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | Jennys tofu | 3 | 2.0 4.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 13 | Select fare | 20 | 2.0 3.3 | 0 | 20 |
| 14 | Golden star | 6 | 2.0 2.8 | 0 | 6 |
| 15 | Thanh son tofu | 8 | 2.0 5.1 | 0 | 8 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Least Processed
Least Processed Plant-Based Milk Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Plant-Based Milk Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Simple plant milks list only the base ingredient, water, and salt
- 2Oils (sunflower, rapeseed) are added for mouthfeel — not necessary
- 3Gellan gum, locust bean gum, and carrageenan are common stabilizer additives
- 4"Barista" versions add extra oils and stabilizers for frothing capability
Most Processed Plant-Based Milk Brands
For comparison — brands with the highest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don jose | 4 | 15.5 5.0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2 | Slimfast | 33 | 13.6 5.3 | 33 | 0 |
| 3 | Cytosport | 11 | 13.2 5.8 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 | Muscle | 5 | 13.2 5.6 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | CVS | 3 | 13.1 2.3 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | Parents choice | 9 | 13.0 5.7 | 9 | 0 |
| 7 | Comforts | 4 | 13.0 5.5 | 4 | 0 |
| 8 | Premier protein | 175 | 12.8 5.5 | 166 | 0 |
| 9 | Muscle milk | 160 | 12.6 5.3 | 144 | 0 |
| 10 | Boost | 20 | 12.5 6.4 | 20 | 0 |
| 11 | Kroger | 29 | 12.1 5.0 | 25 | 4 |
| 12 | Soylent | 20 | 12.0 5.9 | 20 | 0 |
| 13 | Slimfast keto | 5 | 12.0 3.6 | 5 | 0 |
| 14 | Body fortress | 6 | 12.0 6.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 15 | Slim fast | 5 | 11.8 3.6 | 5 | 0 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is oat milk ultra-processed?
Most commercial oat milk is Level 3 due to enzymatic treatment, added oils, stabilizers, and fortification. Simpler versions with just oats, water, and salt score Level 2.
Which plant milk is least processed?
Homemade nut milks (blend + strain) are Level 1. Among commercial options, simple almond or coconut milks with 3-5 ingredients score lowest.
Is regular dairy milk less processed?
Plain pasteurized milk (Level 1) is significantly less processed than most commercial plant milks (Level 2-3). Pasteurization is a simple heat treatment, not chemical processing.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.