Alternatives to Milk

Updated on October 24, 2011
M.F. asks from Redondo Beach, CA
10 answers

Im sure this has been asked before but...Both my one year old son and four year old daughter have a milk allergy. From a 1 to 4..my son is a 3 and my daughter a 4 (very allergic). I give my son Enfagrow toddler soy formula and my daughter drinks almond milk. I tried rice milk with my daughter as a baby and it constipated her. I have not tried rice milk with my son yet, but he will take almond milk if its warmed up.

I keep hearing different opinions on soy milk. Both the pediatrician and our allergist have both assured me that soy is fine and to continue giving it to my son. I wanted to hear what other mom's with milk allergy kids think.. What is the best alternative to cows milk? Rice? Almond? Soy? Which has the most fat? Just wondering if anyone has done any research..

Thanks!

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★.O.

answers from Tampa on

you can try goat... It's the closest to human breastmilk.

Soy contains a pseudo-estrogen like hormone that can mess up the individual's hormonal cycle, especially men's.

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L.L.

answers from Rochester on

Okay, so soy milk....no. Besides being linked to early onset puberty, there's the following...

The Weston A. Price Foundation, an organization rooted in the study of food and farming, argues that the phytoestrogens found in soy milk are strong anti-thyroid agents which may cause hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer later in life. The organization claims that children who consume soy regularly, or more than three times a week, are more likely to develop autoimmune thyroid disease later in life (Weston A. Price). In addition, the Weston A. Price Foundation also warns that increased soy consumption can cause children to develop pancreatic disorders, growth problems, infertility and breast cancer later in life. The foundation also argues that soy contains toxic aluminum which may damage the kidneys and nervous system.

Read more: The Effects of Soy Milk on Children | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_###-###-####_effects-soy-milk-chi...

Okay, so now for my suggestion. COCONUT MILK! Your ped. might try to tell you "No, don't, it causes high cholesterol!" No, it doesn't. You can do the research yourself. It's full of healthy fat, it's SOO yummy, and a great option for children. I honestly like the Silk original...no need to get flavored, as it's very, very sweet on it's own.

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D.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would stop the soy milk..just saw a documentary about it..not good..I also started to see a holistic doctor..well doctors and they were going over foods with me and he said "no dairy, no soy" and went on with a list of foods to avoid..so don't sweat not giving your children milk..there really isn't that much calcium in milk..also good calcium comes from live foods ..dead calcium isn't good..like supplements or orange juice that says "calcium added" better to get calcium from broccoli and other veggies etc..you can google lists of foods that contain it..although i'm EXTREMELY active..i have arthritis in my lower back so i study up on calcium and started to see the holistic doc b/c i refuse to take pain pills and not seek out healthier methods of feeling better..

I think the documentary that talks about soy is called Food Inc. you should watch it..soy is genetically made so you're actually not even getting real soy anymore..you have to look for labels that say "no GMO" also soy for boys tends to make them more feminine and soy makes females more masculine at that age..that is the big concern..my vegan friend ..who is no longer vegan..got cancer in her lymph nodes and she is convinced that it was because she ate so much soy to supplement for not eating meat.
I'm sure some will argue with me..I live in California..a very food conscious state ..Our family sticks to eating only organic..do some research..talk to nutritionists..you can go into a Wholefoods and the people in the vitamin area are very knowledgeable about nutrition..i had one help me out w/ cramps in my calves..even went to see a sports doc and he just told me to stretch more..she told me no coffee..listened to her..and the cramps are gone.

milk isn't great for people so i wouldn't fret milk..my son never liked it..he's now 5..very healthy..i breastfed him til he was 2.5 ...i will occasionally give him organic chocolate milk when he asks for it at the market..but i don't fret over him rejecting cow's milk..i personally drink organic Pacific almond milk...unsweetened..i think the unsweetened tastes just like regular milk.

good luck..hope this was helpful

D.

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J.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

We drink coconut milk. Its creamy and has 2 times the amount of calcium as cows milk, and it has loads of good fats.

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A.D.

answers from Washington DC on

my kids are also allergic to cow's milk, and they drink coconut milk once in a while. Milk really doesn't have to be a diet staple. Honestly, my kids mostly drink water and coconut milk 1-3 times a week but I use it to make their smoothies with every day.
I personally don't really trust soy milk because of all the hormonal effects it has been proven to cause. Coconut milk has LOTS of healthy saturated fats (which really needs to be a big part of everyone's, especially growing kids' diets) and it tastes sooo good. We make ice cream out of it too!

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have read the research because I dring a soy-based protein drink every morning. Soy is absolutely fine to consume regularly.

"Soy has been used as a replacement for cows' milk for many years, but there are some concerns that isoflavones in soy may have estrogenic effects on infant boys who are fed soy formulas, however those fears are unfounded. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that soy formulas are safe and effective for infants, and research shows no hormonal effects in long-term feeding of soy formulas.

Soy may be good for older children too. Soy beverages have been shown to have positive effects on cholesterol levels in kids who are overweight or obese. Consumption of soy beverages may also improve lung function in both children and adults who have asthma. Using soy on your daughter's cereal is safe, and soy beverages are often fortified with calcium and vitamin D."

And here's Dr. Sears recommendation for soy: http://www.askdrsears.com/content/soy-good-or-bad

The best milk alternative for your kids is probably the one they will drink and that doesn't have side effects. Milk alternatives don't all have the same nutritional value as cow's milk, so I would be aware of what's lacking and make that up with the rest of their diet.

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

I have read extensively about soy and think it is great. The best research says it is good for use, unless you are allergic to it.
Besides the ones you have mentioned, there is also coconut and hemp. They are all low fat.
You just will have to see which they like best. I liked coconut the best, but the testing my nutritionist did showed it but me out of balance, so I just use soy.

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M.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello,
I have a 17 year old son who has been drinking soy milk since he was 2. He is 6'3, a senior in high school and has a girlfriend (no early onset puberty). He drinks Soy Silk milk if that helps. We buy the regular flavor (not vanilla or chocolate, too much sugar). It seems to have worked for us.

T.C.

answers from New York on

We love soy milk. It is definitely the most nutritious alternative in terms of calcium. We started with the sweetened soy but gradually switched over to the organic unsweetened one. My husband isn't full blown lactose intolerant but he gets gas from drinking cows milk, so he prefers soy as well. I actually find that it calms my stomach if its upset.

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