The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Almond Milk For Children

Almond milk has become a popular drink for children in Western countries  because it can replace dairy products. People with lactose intolerance can also drink almond milk. However, it is not for everyone. In this article, we will look at the benefits and harms of almond milk for children.

You already know for sure that milk is a good nutrition that should not be replaced by anything else without valid health reasons. Lactose intolerance should be properly diagnosed – otherwise a person would just eliminate from their diet for no reason a product that provides high quality proteins and fats.

From what age can children drink almond milk and why?

Remember that it is recommended that the baby be exclusively breastfed until the age of six months and then be given additional food until the age of two. It is important to include these other foods in your diet gradually and keep in mind your pediatrician’s instructions.

From a scientific point of view, nuts can be given to a child from the age of six months. However, experts recommend chopping them down first to avoid the risk of suffocation. In this sense, almond milk is suitable for children from the age of six months.

Be very careful about what kind of almond milk you choose. Many of them contain added sugars, which reduces their nutritional value. It is clear that regular intake of simple carbohydrates has a detrimental effect on children’s health, as noted  in a study published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition  .

The benefits of almond milk for children

Below we talk about the benefits of almond milk for children.

Lower risk of allergies

Incorporating almonds into a child’s diet at an early stage reduces the child’s risk of developing nut allergies later in life, which is a positive thing. It is worth mentioning that such foods contain high quality fats and proteins, and in addition they provide micronutrients and phytonutrients.

It is one option for children who are allergic to cow’s milk proteins

Almond milk is a great choice for children who are unable to drink cow’s milk due to allergies. Of course, breast milk should always be the first choice.

However, if there are some limiting factors involved in breastfeeding yourself, you can make a bottle of almond milk for your baby. In this way, processes that increase the inflammatory reactions in cow’s milk can be avoided .

A source of essential minerals

According to the above-mentioned source, nuts and almonds make a full-fledged mineral, in particular zinc. This micronutrient is essential for the good functioning of the immune system, as stated in a  study published in Nutrients . This mineral has its own role in differentiating the cells that make up the body’s immune response.

Limitations and Disadvantages of Almond Milk Use in Children

We have already mentioned above that breast milk is the best food for babies. Alternatively, cow’s milk also has an interesting nutritional supply, but it should only be given to those over 1 year old. Almond milk, on the other hand, lacks protein and good fats, which is why it lacks macronutrients.

In addition, some versions have a lot of added sugar, which adversely affects the body’s metabolic health. In this sense, it is very important to read the product information carefully so that you do not accidentally choose well-processed alternatives that are not very healthy.

Keep in mind that the best options are almond milks that contain a lot of water as well as almond residues. However, they are somewhat reduced and therefore not very nutritious. While they may reduce your child’s risk of allergies, you should consider adding higher quality foods to your child’s diet.

Almond milk is an alternative for allergy sufferers

As we have explained throughout the article, almond milk can prevent the onset of allergies and be a way to avoid the consumption of cow’s milk in children who are intolerant or who suffer from autoimmune reactions after being exposed to its proteins.

You can add almond milk to your child’s diet when your child is six months old. However, the most recommended option is always breast milk, as it provides all the nutrients a baby needs to develop properly.