Is Almond Milk Suitable for My Child?

As a parent, you'll be wondering whether you can give your child an alternative to the usual dairy milk. Additionally, some children may be lactose intolerant or don't like the taste of dairy. Still others want to introduce more plant based alternatives to their children. One of these plant based creations is almond milk. What is Almond Milk? Almond milk is of course, made from almond nuts. The process of making this milk is very similar to how soy milk is made. First, almonds and cleaned and soaked in water for up to two days. The longer the soaking period, the creamier and better tasting the end product is. After being soaked, the almonds are drained and then ground up to a fine powder with water. This results in a nutty and nutritious off white liquid that is visually similar to milk. Almond milk has different nutritional contents compared to dairy milk. However, it is no less beneficial as it is rich in various vitamins and nutrients, especially Vitamin E. This vitamin is crucial to boost the immune system and to ensure proper blood circulation throughout your child's body. Furthermore, it does have some Vitamin A and Vitamin D. Additionally, commercial almond milk is fortified with various other nutrients like Calcium, Vitamins B2 and B12. All these are great for your child's nervous system and structural bone development. There is however, the fact that it does not contain as much protein as dairy milk. It is however, free of lactose and milder on the digestive system. Can Almond Milk Be Given to Babies? These days, many people are beginning to realize the benefits of a plant based diet, and many adults are beginning to adopt either a vegetarian, vegan or flexitarian diet. However, can this be applied to babies as well? Despite the fact that almond milk does have nutritional value, it is not suitable to be given to newborns. The main reason for this is because it has a rather low protein content. Additionally, it has a relatively lower content of many other essential vitamins and minerals that newborns really need for physical and mental growth. For newborns, the best milk to give is still breast milk and formula as these have the complete and comprehensive nutrients a baby needs. What About Toddlers? While plant-based milks are not suitable for newborns, they can be given to toddlers who have been weaned and are older than 1 years old. However, almond milk should be given in combination with dairy milk. This means that you can introduce this and other plant-based milks like soy or oat milk to babies, but not use it as a replacement for formula or breast milk. Why Do Parents Choose to Give It to Their Children? There are several reasons why almond milk has been considered as an alternative to dairy milk (i.e. cow's milk or goat milk). Typically, parents will try to introduce milk onto their child's diet as they are begin to grow older than a year old. The introduction of a more varied source of nutrition is good for babies at this point, including the introduction of plant based milks. Here's why some parents prefer almond milk for their children: Their children are allergic to dairy Their children are lactose intolerant. Lactose is typically found in milk from animal sources and is relatively more challenging on a child's digestive system due to its high protein and lactose content. Their kids prefer the taste of almond milk as opposed to dairy milk There are dietary restrictions in place due to chronic illnesses suffered by their children How Does Almond Milk Compare to Dairy Milk? Nutritionally speaking, almond milk and cow's milk are starkly different. For starters, animal based milk is high in fat, up to 8% which is essential for a growing baby or child. This is because fat is necessary for brain and nervous system development. On the other hand, almond milk only has about 2.5% of fat content In terms of other nutrients, here's how almond and cow's milk measure up to one another: Almond milk has more Calcium, at 482 mg per cup while dairy has about 276 mg per cup. Almond milk also has more Vitamin A at 499 IU per cup while dairy has 395 IU per cup Dairy has more Vitamin D, Potassium and Phosphorus per cup. Almond ones have slightly more sodium than dairy Dairy has a lot more protein, at 8 mg per serving while almond milk only has 1 g protein per serving Considerations When Purchasing and Using Almond Milk When choosing which products to buy, always choose those with no added sugars. The product you choose should be plain, and preferably fortified with Vitamins B2 and B12 as well as Calcium. Added sugars are not healthy for your child in the long term and can lead to issues with their weight and dental health among others. Additionally, due to the nature of almond milk that is low in fats and proteins, you have to ensure that your child is getting their fats and proteins from other sources. Alternatively, you can incorporate almond milk together with cow's milk. Both dairy and plant base milk are inadequate for babies below the age of one. They should be given only formulas or breast milk. This is because only these two milks meet the nutritional requirements of development at that age. An Overall Safe Alternative In general, almond milk is safe to give to your children as they're all natural and don't have any harmful ingredients. However, they don't meet your children's full nutritional needs when it comes to fats and proteins. Therefore, your should supplement it with a diet rich in proteins and fats. Alternatively, you can consider other plant based milks that have a higher protein content, such as soy milk and pea milk which have about 7g of proteins per serving. Always learn to read labels to ensure that your child has adequate nutrition from their diet, and that their diet is balanced. This is more important any other considerations you may have. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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