Is Soy Milk Ultra Processed?
Not Typically Ultra-Processed
Soy milk ranges from Level 2 to Level 3. Traditional soy milk (soybeans and water) is one of the oldest plant milks, dating back to ancient China. Commercial versions add calcium carbonate, vitamins, carrageenan or gellan gum, and often cane sugar.
Key Findings
- •Traditional soy milk (soybeans + water) has been made for over 2,000 years — it is the original plant milk
- •At 7-9g protein per cup, soy milk is the only plant milk that naturally matches cow's milk in protein content
- •Commercial soy milk adds fortification and stabilizers to a product that historically needed neither — the simplest brands are Level 2
Why Is Soy Milk Level 3?
Soy milk has been made for over 2,000 years by soaking soybeans, grinding them with water, boiling the slurry, and straining out the solids. This traditional process produces a naturally protein-rich (7-9g per cup) beverage with no additives. Modern commercial soy milk adds fortification (calcium carbonate, vitamin D, vitamin A, riboflavin) to match cow's milk nutrition, stabilizers (carrageenan or gellan gum) to prevent separation during weeks of shelf storage, and often cane sugar for palatability. The protein content is naturally high — unlike almond milk which is mostly thickened water, soy milk contains substantial nutrition from the bean itself. Unsweetened, stabilizer-free versions exist and are the closest to the traditional product.
Soy Milk Processing Level Distribution
How 902 soy milk products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 12.3 · Average nutrition score: 5.8/10
Soy Milk Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed soy milk products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organic Soy Milk Powder | Now | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Eden, Edensoy, Organic Soymilk, Unsweetened | Eden | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Organic Soy Milk Powder | Now | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Organic Soy Milk Powder | Now | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Organic Soy Milk Powder | Now | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Eden, Edensoy, Organic Soymilk, Unsweetened | Eden | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Organic Soy Milk Powder | Now | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Unsweetened Plain Organic Soymilk Plant-based Beverage, Unsweetened Plain | West Life | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 2 |
| Pacific Foods Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk, Plant Based Milk, 32 Oz Carton | Pacific Foods | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 2 |
| Organic Unsweetened Plain Soymilk | Westbrae Natural | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 2 |
How to Read Soy Milk Labels
- 1
The simplest soy milks list: soybeans, water — that's it (Level 2)
- 2
Carrageenan is a common stabilizer — some consumers prefer to avoid it due to digestive concerns
- 3
Fortified vitamins (calcium carbonate, vitamin D) are added to match cow's milk nutrition
- 4
Sweetened varieties add 5-10g sugar per cup — check for "unsweetened" labels
Frequently Asked Questions
Is soy milk more processed than almond milk?
Generally no. Simple soy milk (soybeans + water) is Level 2, while almond milk requires similar stabilizers plus the almonds contribute less nutrition (only 1g protein per cup vs 7-9g in soy). Both commercial versions are Level 2-3 with similar additive profiles.
Is soy milk safe to drink?
From a processing standpoint, soy milk is one of the least processed plant milks. The soy phytoestrogen concern has been extensively studied — major health organizations consider moderate soy consumption safe for most people. Processing level is not the primary health concern with soy milk.
What is the least processed soy milk?
Brands listing only "organic soybeans" and "water" are Level 2 and the least processed. Westsoy Unsweetened and some Asian-market brands offer this simplicity. Most mainstream brands (Silk, etc.) add stabilizers and vitamins pushing to Level 3.