Best Soy Milk, Ranked by Ingredients

Not all soy milk is created equal, and with a large variety of brands on the market, it might be a bit overwhelming and difficult to choose the best one. But just like with any other product, there are some that are better than others, whether they're higher in quality, have cleaner ingredients, or are made using a unique process.

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When choosing the best soy milk, there are two specific factors that play a huge role in differentiating bad, good, and great brands. These are:

• Simple, clean ingredients - Soy milk should be made with water and soybeans - and that's it. Unfortunately, most commercially available soy milk have relatively long ingredient lists with added sugars, gums and other thickeners, carrageenan, and even excess sodium.
• Organic, non-GMO soybeans - the majority of soybeans in the US are genetically modified organisms (GMO), and GMO has been strongly linked to many serious illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and celiac disease, and more.

Soy milk is incredibly nutrient-rich and it provides many health benefits to your overall health and longevity, from lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels to protecting heart health and nourishing you with antioxidants. Compared to cow's milk, soy milk is lower in overall calories and saturated fat, and compared to the more popular nut milk such as almond milk, cashew milk, and coconut milk, it almost doubles in protein. This makes soy milk the perfect protein source for vegans, vegetarians, as well as those who are lactose intolerant or simply keeping a lactose-free diet.

Here are some of our favorite soy milk brands that you can buy at your local grocery store.

1. Pacific Foods Organic Unsweetened Soy Plant-Based Beverage

Pacific Foods is a very popular brand of alternative milks and their large offer includes everything from almond milk and oat milk to hazelnut milk and hemp milk. Their soy milk is made with water and organic soybeans of the highest quality, certified by the source. The milk is free of any additional fillers, gums, carrageenan, and thickeners. The unsweetened version is also sugar-free.

This soy milk is also certified gluten-free, and within one serving, contains 9 grams of protein and 4 grams of fat. The texture is very creamy and the taste is rich, showcasing the quality of soybeans. It's the absolute preferred alternative milk brand for the majority of coffee masters, crafting their cappuccinos to perfection.

2. Edensoy Unsweetened Organic Soymilk

Packing an impressive 12g of protein per serving, Edensoy soy milk has the highest amount of whole soy protein of any U.S. brand. It's made with only purified water and organic soybeans, without any additives, gums, thickeners, or sweeteners. Lovers of this brand call it the perfect all-purpose milk alternative as it can just as easily be used in sweet and savory dishes. The taste is not too sweet, but instead more "beany," making it an amazing addition to any instance where a little creaminess goes a long way.

3. West Soy Organic Unsweetened Soymilk

Another brand with straightforward, clean, non-GMO certified, and organic ingredients, West Soy makes soy milk that's creamy, tasty, and beloved by many. With 9 grams of protein per serving, it makes a great addition to coffees, desserts, and plenty of savory dishes. It's also certified gluten-free and free of any additives, colorings, thickeners, or sweeteners. It might be a bit difficult to find in every grocery store, but you can easily find it on Amazon or other retailers.

4. 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Unsweetened Original Soymilk

Whole Foods is a healthy food store that has pretty strict regulations for placing a product on its shelves. Over the years, they've also come up with their own, home brand, developing products that are high-quality and can easily stand against their more famous competitors, for a fraction of the price.

Their soy milk is made with filtered water and organic soybeans, but the ingredient list also contains sea salt, a few gums, and added vitamins such as B12, B2, and D2. Although not as clean as the first three brands on the list, it's still considered to be pretty healthy, and a good choice if you're unable to find others in your grocery store.

5. Simple Truth Organic Unsweetened Soymilk

In-house Kroger's brand, Simple Truth's soy milk is made with filtered water, organic soybeans, and a few other ingredients such as gellan gum, organic locust bean gum, calcium carbonate, and sea salt. It's also enriched with vitamins A, D, B12, and B2.

Even with these additional ingredients, it does not contain harmful additives, chemicals, thickeners, or sweeteners, which still makes it a healthier option than most brands on the market.

6. Silk Organic Unsweet Soymilk

And lastly, Silk's organic soy milk is made from whole-harvested soybeans grown in the U.S. and Canada. The ingredient list still contains more than just water and organic soybeans, but it holds a non-GMO certification, and it doesn't contain any synthetic additives or carrageenan. The soy milk is enriched with a vitamin and mineral blend and comes with gellan gum and ascorbic acid to preserve freshness.

What To Look For When Purchasing Soy Milk

Soy milk may have been surpassed in popularity by almond milk, oat milk, and other non-dairy milks, but it's still one of the most prevalent alternative options to dairy milk. When compared to other plant-based milks, soy milk packs more protein per serving and therefore makes for a good source of protein for those trying to cut back on animal products.

Choose the brand with as few ingredients as possible, making sure the soybeans are certified organic and non-GMO. With so many options on the market, it's important to note that most of them are unhealthy. Read the back label and choose the brands with the best ingredient list.

READ MORE: 6 Coffee Creamer Substitutes You Should Consider Putting in Your Mug