DASH Dairy Alternatives Guide

17 items classified under standard DASH guidelines.

How do dairy alternatives fare on the DASH diet? The answer depends on sodium content and DASH serving targets. This guide breaks down all 17 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.

Quick Reference

Food Status Sodium (per 100g)
Almond Milk Allowed 59mg
Canned Coconut Cream Allowed 36mg
Canned Coconut Milk Allowed 13mg
Cashew Milk Allowed 295mg
Coconut Cream Allowed 36mg
Coconut Milk Allowed 19mg
Coconut Yogurt Allowed 0mg
Hemp Milk Allowed 687mg
Lite Coconut Milk Allowed 19mg
Plain Coconut Yogurt Allowed 13mg
Unsweetened Almond Milk Allowed 72mg
Almond Milk Creamer Limited 59mg
Coconut Creamer Limited 0mg
Flavored Almond Milk Limited 71mg
Flavored Coconut Yogurt Limited 33mg
Rice Milk Limited 39mg
Soy Milk Limited 32mg

Classification Breakdown

11 Allowed — These dairy alternatives are a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. 6 Limited — These items have allowed in moderation under DASH serving counts but not a daily staple.

DASH works through lower sodium and higher potassium, magnesium, and calcium from produce, dairy, and legumes.

Allowed Dairy Alternatives (11)

Almond Milk

Allowed

With 59mg sodium per 100g, Almond Milk earns a Allowed classification on DASH. This means it is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. Within this category, it falls between Rice Milk and Almond Milk Creamer for sodium, ranking 12 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Unsweetened15kcal0.6g1.2g0.3g60mg
Sweetened30kcal0.5g1.2g4.3g58mg

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Canned Coconut Cream

Allowed

Canned Coconut Cream is classified as Allowed on DASH, with 36mg sodium per 100g. This means it is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. It also contains 16.3g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Flavored Coconut Yogurt and Coconut Cream for sodium, ranking 9 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

357kcalCalories
1.2gProtein
16.3gFat
53.2gCarbs
36mgSodium

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Canned Coconut Milk

Allowed

With 13mg sodium per 100g, Canned Coconut Milk earns a Allowed classification on DASH. It is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. Beyond the primary classification, canned coconut milk also provides 21.3g fat per 100g. Among the 17 items in this category, canned coconut milk sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Plain Coconut Yogurt at 13mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

197kcalCalories
2gProtein
21.3gFat
2.8gCarbs
13mgSodium

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Cashew Milk

Allowed

Cashew Milk is classified as Allowed on DASH, with 295mg sodium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. Nutritionally, it also delivers 12.1g protein and 53g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Unsweetened Almond Milk at 72mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

609kcalCalories
12.1gProtein
53gFat
30.3gCarbs
295mgSodium

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Coconut Cream

Allowed

Coconut Cream is classified as Allowed on DASH, with 36mg sodium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. Nutritionally, it also delivers 16.3g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Canned Coconut Cream and Rice Milk for sodium, ranking 10 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

357kcalCalories
1.2gProtein
16.3gFat
53.2gCarbs
36mgSodium

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Coconut Milk

Allowed

At 19mg sodium per 100g, Coconut Milk falls into the Allowed category under DASH guidelines. This means it is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. Within this category, it falls between Plain Coconut Yogurt and Lite Coconut Milk for sodium, ranking 5 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Canned (full-fat)357kcal1.2g16.3g53.2g36mg
Carton (beverage)31kcal0.2g2.1g2.9g19mg

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Coconut Yogurt

Allowed

Coconut Yogurt is classified as Allowed on DASH, with 0mg sodium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. Nutritionally, it also delivers 99.1g fat per serving. Among the 17 items in this category, coconut yogurt sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Coconut Creamer at 0mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

895kcalCalories
0gProtein
99.1gFat
0.8gCarbs
0mgSodium

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Hemp Milk

Allowed

At 687mg sodium per 100g, Hemp Milk falls into the Allowed category under DASH guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.6g protein and 13.8g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Cashew Milk at 295mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

446kcalCalories
7.6gProtein
13.8gFat
71.7gCarbs
687mgSodium

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Lite Coconut Milk

Allowed

Lite Coconut Milk is classified as Allowed on DASH, with 19mg sodium per 100g. This means it is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. Within this category, it falls between Coconut Milk and Soy Milk for sodium, ranking 6 of 17.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

31kcalCalories
0.2gProtein
2.1gFat
2.9gCarbs
19mgSodium

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Plain Coconut Yogurt

Allowed

Plain Coconut Yogurt is classified as Allowed on DASH, with 13mg sodium per 100g. This means it is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. Among the 17 items in this category, plain coconut yogurt sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Coconut Milk at 19mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

66kcalCalories
2.6gProtein
1.8gFat
9.7gCarbs
13mgSodium

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Unsweetened Almond Milk

Allowed

With 72mg sodium per 100g, Unsweetened Almond Milk earns a Allowed classification on DASH. This means it is a regular part of the DASH pattern — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, legumes, or lean proteins. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Flavored Almond Milk at 71mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

15kcalCalories
0.4gProtein
1gFat
1.3gCarbs
72mgSodium

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Limited Dairy Alternatives (6)

Almond Milk Creamer

Limited

At 59mg sodium per 100g, Almond Milk Creamer falls into the Limited category under DASH guidelines. This means it is allowed in moderation under DASH serving counts but not a daily staple. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Almond Milk at 59mg. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

20kcalCalories
0.5gProtein
1.2gFat
1.5gCarbs
59mgSodium

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Coconut Creamer

Limited

With 0mg sodium per 100g, Coconut Creamer earns a Limited classification on DASH. This means it is allowed in moderation under DASH serving counts but not a daily staple. It also contains 99.1g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 17 items in this category, coconut creamer sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Canned Coconut Milk at 13mg. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

895kcalCalories
0gProtein
99.1gFat
0.8gCarbs
0mgSodium

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Flavored Almond Milk

Limited

At 71mg sodium per 100g, Flavored Almond Milk falls into the Limited category under DASH guidelines. This means it is allowed in moderation under DASH serving counts but not a daily staple. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Almond Milk Creamer at 59mg. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

50kcalCalories
0.6gProtein
1.3gFat
9.4gCarbs
71mgSodium

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Flavored Coconut Yogurt

Limited

With 33mg sodium per 100g, Flavored Coconut Yogurt earns a Limited classification on DASH. It is allowed in moderation under DASH serving counts but not a daily staple. Beyond the primary classification, flavored coconut yogurt also provides 8.1g protein per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Soy Milk and Canned Coconut Cream for sodium, ranking 8 of 17. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

92kcalCalories
8.1gProtein
1.7gFat
11gCarbs
33mgSodium

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Rice Milk

Limited

With 39mg sodium per 100g, Rice Milk earns a Limited classification on DASH. This means it is allowed in moderation under DASH serving counts but not a daily staple. Within this category, it falls between Coconut Cream and Almond Milk for sodium, ranking 11 of 17. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

47kcalCalories
0.3gProtein
1gFat
9.2gCarbs
39mgSodium

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Soy Milk

Limited

At 32mg sodium per 100g, Soy Milk falls into the Limited category under DASH guidelines. This means it is allowed in moderation under DASH serving counts but not a daily staple. Within this category, it falls between Lite Coconut Milk and Flavored Coconut Yogurt for sodium, ranking 7 of 17. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

64kcalCalories
3.4gProtein
2gFat
8.3gCarbs
32mgSodium

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