Which Milk is Best? Sorting Between Soy, Coconut, and All the Rest
My baby turns one in a couple of weeks and I can't believe we have been living with food allergies for three months now. The original allergens he tested positive for included five of the top eight (soy, peanut, egg, wheat and dairy) but unfortunately, through trial and error, the list of allergens has grown to include beef, legumes, cinnamon and we now believe sunflower oil.
The decision to keep him on soy milk.
Though Little C tested positive for a soy allergy, with his allergist's approval, we decided to keep him on soy until he was one year old. This decision was based on the fact that his dermatitis cleared 99% while on soy milk versus cow milk. Now that he's turning one, I want him off soy milk.
There are two major reasons for me wanting to remove soy from his diet. The first reason is because he has two areas of dermatitis on his cheeks and I want to see if taking him off soy milk will clear that up 100%. The second reason is because soy contains a high amount of estrogen and I personally don't believe that is good for boys or girls. Of course, the soy/estrogen opinion is a strong one and I will save that argument for a later date.
Choosing a new milk.
There are so many different milks to choose from these days and I have been doing my research.
I want a milk that is nutritionally beneficial for a young child and not nutritionally damaging in any way. Here is some of the information I found in my research:
Almond Milk - Almond Breeze Original
Per cup: 60 cal, 2.5 g fat (0 g sat), 8 g carbs (7 g sugars), 150 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein
Taste: Nutty and toasty with a faint bitter background. Though it's the least caloric of the bunch, it's fortified with vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that fights UV damage, as well as calcium and vitamins A and D.
Almond milk is higher in sodium than other alternatives.
Hemp Milk - Tempt Original
Per cup: 100 cal, 6 g fat (0.5 g sat), 9 g carbs (6 g sugars), 110 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 2 g protein
Taste: Chalky with a strong fermented vitamin-like flavor. It's naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids—wonder nutrients for your heart, brain, and mood.
You may gulp only 10 percent of your daily calcium needs depending on the brand. It's not a great source of protein either.
Coconut Milk - So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage Original
Continued on the next page
Follow Technorati