What's the healthiest brand of oat milk?

November 18, 2025 •

3 min read

According to research from the late 1990s, the beta-glucan fiber in oat milk can help lower bad cholesterol. But with so many options now available, many people wonder: what's the healthiest brand of oat milk? The answer depends on what 'healthy' means to you, as different brands excel in different nutritional areas.

Quick Summary

This guide compares popular oat milk brands based on their ingredients, sugar content, and nutritional fortification. Choosing the best option depends on your specific dietary priorities.

Key Points

Check Ingredients: The healthiest oat milk depends on your needs; examine labels for additives, oils, and simple ingredients.
Elmhurst for Purity: Choose Elmhurst Unsweetened for a very clean, minimalist ingredient list without added oils or gums.
Oatly & Silk for Fortification: Opt for Oatly or Silk if you want your oat milk fortified with essential vitamins like B12, D, and calcium.
Prioritize Unsweetened for Low Sugar: For those watching sugar intake, Planet Oat and Forager offer options with low or no added sugar.
Read Labels: Always check the nutrition facts, especially for added sugars, which can be found even in 'Original' flavored oat milks.
Barista Blends for Coffee: If you primarily use oat milk for lattes, barista blends have extra fat for better frothing but may have a different nutritional profile.

Defining 'Healthy' in Oat Milk

When searching for the healthiest oat milk, there are several factors to consider. A clean ingredient list with minimal additives appeals to some, while others prioritize fortification with vitamins and minerals. The amount of added sugars and oils is another critical element. Finding the right balance for your personal health goals is key.

Elmhurst Unsweetened Milked Oats: For Minimalist Ingredients

For those who prefer the fewest and simplest ingredients, Elmhurst's unsweetened varieties are often recommended by dietitians. Their simple oat milk contains just filtered water, whole grain oats, and salt. It avoids added oils, gums, and stabilizers, which can cause gastric distress in some individuals. This makes it a great choice for those seeking a 'whole food' option, though it is not as heavily fortified with vitamins as other brands.

Oatly and Silk: For Maximum Fortification

If your main health concern is ensuring adequate vitamin intake, especially as part of a vegan diet, heavily fortified options like Oatly and Silk are excellent choices.

Oatly Original is fortified with Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Calcium, Vitamin B12, and Riboflavin. It is known for its creamy texture, which comes from the addition of rapeseed oil.
Silk Original Oatmilk also provides an impressive nutritional profile, often boasting 100% of the daily value for B12 in a single serving.

Planet Oat and Forager: For Low or No Added Sugar

Many oat milks contain added sugars, even in their 'Original' flavor. If controlling sugar intake is a priority, look for unsweetened options. Planet Oat offers an Unsweetened Original Oatmilk with 0 grams of added sugar and only 40 calories per serving. Forager Organic Dairy-free Oatmilk is another great low-sugar choice, containing only 2 grams of sugar and 45 calories per serving, with no added sugars. These are good options for those monitoring their glycemic index or calorie intake.

The Role of Additives and Oils

Many popular oat milks include ingredients like gums, emulsifiers, and oils to improve texture and shelf stability. While generally safe, some people prefer to avoid them due to digestive sensitivities or a desire for a cleaner label. Oils like rapeseed or sunflower are often added for creaminess, but brands like Elmhurst skip this step.

Comparison of Popular Oat Milk Brands


Brand	Calories (per cup)	Sugar (per cup)	Added Oils/Gums	Key Fortifications	Health Focus
Elmhurst Unsweetened	80	1g	No	Minimal	Clean Ingredients
Oatly Original	120	7g	Yes (Rapeseed oil)	Vitamin D, B12, A, Calcium	Fortification, Creaminess
Silk Original	120	7g	Yes (Sunflower oil, Gums)	High in Vitamin B12, D, Calcium	Fortification, Value
Planet Oat Unsweetened	40	0g added	Yes (Stabilizers, Gums)	Vitamin D, A, B12, Calcium	Low/No Sugar
Forager Organic	45	2g	No (Minimal ingredients)	Minimal fortification	Organic, Low Sugar

Making the Best Choice for Your Health

For the ingredient-conscious: If you want a product with the shortest and cleanest list of ingredients, Elmhurst is likely your best bet. For an organic, low-sugar option, Forager is a strong contender.
For maximum nutrition: If you are a vegan or simply want to maximize your vitamin and mineral intake from your oat milk, fortified brands like Oatly or Silk are the way to go. Be mindful of the higher sugar content in their original varieties.
For controlling sugar: If you are watching your sugar consumption, seek out unsweetened versions. Planet Oat Unsweetened is specifically designed for zero added sugar, though it still contains stabilizers.
For specialty use: Some oat milks, particularly 'barista' blends, are specifically formulated for better performance in coffee, often with added fats for creaminess. If you plan to use it mostly in lattes, this could be a priority over a simple ingredient list.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict is Personal

Ultimately, there is no single "healthiest" brand of oat milk. The best choice depends on what nutritional factors are most important to you. Some prioritize a clean, simple ingredient list, while others seek maximum fortification. By understanding the differences in ingredients, sugar content, and vitamin levels, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your personal dietary needs. For a comprehensive overview, consider consulting a guide like Healthline's oat milk comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a low-sugar diet, you should look for versions labeled 'unsweetened.' Brands like Planet Oat Unsweetened and Forager Organic offer options with minimal to zero added sugar per serving.

No, not all oat milks are gluten-free. While oats are naturally gluten-free, cross-contamination can occur during processing. If you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, look for products that are explicitly labeled 'certified gluten-free'.

Store-bought oat milks are often fortified with nutrients like calcium, Vitamin D, and B vitamins, but fortification levels vary by brand. Some brands, like Elmhurst, have minimal to no fortification in their most basic versions. Always check the nutrition label.

Manufacturers often add ingredients like gums (e.g., gellan gum) and oils (e.g., rapeseed oil) to improve the milk's texture, creaminess, and shelf stability. These are especially common in barista blends to aid frothing.

Homemade oat milk offers a simple, additive-free ingredient list (oats, water, salt). However, it lacks the fortification of vitamins and minerals like calcium and Vitamin D, which are often added to store-bought versions. The 'healthier' option depends on your priority.

For coffee, many prefer barista blends (e.g., Oatly Barista Edition, Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend), as they are formulated to steam and froth better than standard varieties due to their higher fat content. Chobani also has a history of popular creamy oat milks for coffee.

No, oat milk does not contain cholesterol. Oats are a plant-based food, and cholesterol is only found in animal products. In fact, the soluble fiber in oats, known as beta-glucan, has been shown to help lower bad cholesterol levels.

While it can be a trade-off, some brands like Forager offer an organic, low-sugar formula that is minimally processed. For those who want more fortification without excessive additives, carefully reading labels is crucial to find a product that best balances both aspects.