What are the different vegetable milks?
There are many kinds of plant milks, soy milk (soy) being one of the best known. It is thus easy to find the one which will be the most adapted to its needs:
- Nut milks, with almond milk or coconut milk, for example.
- Vegetable drinks made from seeds, which are rarer, with hemp, sunflower or sesame seed milks.
- Cereal milks are the most common. It includes rice, oat or soy drinks.
Why consume vegetable milks?
Free from cholesterol and lactose, and rich in vegetable proteins, vegetable milks are suitable for people who follow a specific diet, due to lactose intolerance, hypercholesterolemia or even vegetarianism, for example.
Plant milks are naturally rich in minerals, vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids which have a positive impact on lipid levels in the blood and therefore noticeable effects on cardiovascular functions.
Most vegetable milks are now fortified with vitamins and minerals, which makes their nutritional value very interesting.
Calcium is very little naturally present in these drinks and can sometimes be added during the preparation of vegetable milks, although most of them are already made.
No plant-based milk for infants
In general, plant-based milks are not recommended for infants because they could lead to animal protein deficiencies.
In this regard, the Canadian Pediatric Society and Dietitians of Canada points out that in healthy term infants during the first six months of life, “Cow’s milk, evaporated milk, goat’s milk, soy beverages, rice beverages and all other types of beverages are not suitable milk replacements.”
This also includes almond drinks. The statement also indicates that “These drinks, whether fortified or not, cannot replace, during the first two years, breast milk, infant formula or pasteurized whole milk. From a nutritional point of view, breast milk therefore remains the one that best meets the needs of the child.
However, some infants are allergic to cow’s milk, this is the case for about 2 to 3% of them. The use of substitutes is therefore sometimes necessary, but plant-based milks are not necessarily an appropriate alternative.
The National Institute of Public Health states that “Fortified soy beverages are not suitable for infants. They are incomplete and very poorly nutritious compared to breast milk or commercial infant formula. Since babies grow very quickly, they need a complete and balanced diet. These drinks can interfere with the healthy development of your baby. Soy drinks are lower in calories and fat than 3.25% fat whole cow’s milk.This is why it is recommended to wait until your child is 2 years old before offering him a soy beverage. “
For any use of cow’s milk substitutes, it is therefore strongly recommended to discuss it with a dietitian, or a pediatrician who can prescribe formula formulas without milk protein cow or protein hydrolysates.
Anaïs Lhôte – PasseportSante.net