Almond milk for children: advantages and disadvantages
Can children drink almond milk? From what age? In Guiainfantil.com we tell you what are the advantages and disadvantages of introducing this drink of vegetable origin in the child's diet in substitution of cow's milk. First of all, it is important to know that breastfeeding is essential during the f
Can children drink almond milk? From what age? In Guiainfantil.com we tell you what are the advantages and disadvantages of introducing this drink of vegetable origin in the child's diet in substitution of cow's milk.
First of all, it is important to know that breastfeeding is essential during the first year of the baby, it contains the optimal nutrients that guarantee an adequate growth and that stimulate the defensive capacity, both at the level of the immunity of the digestive system, and at the level general. During the first 6 months breast milk should be the only food, and then continue breastfeeding accompanied with solids during the first 12 months.
When to include almond milk in children's diet?
If infants are not breastfed or weaned before they reach one year of age, formulas for infants that are nutritionally complete should be used, being another and only option, soy-based formulas.
The almond drink is obtained from the grinding of dried, peeled almonds and then water is added. Therefore, being made with nuts, these can be introduced before 2 years in children with predisposition to allergies.Benefits of almond drink
-
It is a drink easily digested and recommended for lactose intolerant children. - If you are celiac, you can use this type of almond drink in moderation. Es - It is rich in electrolytes such as potassium, it can be used as an option in case of diarrhea and vomiting, as it helps to recover this lost mineral.
- Contains fibers that help the bowel wall, especially the colon, improving intestinal transit.
- It does not contain cholesterol and also
provides good quality fats
that help maintain a healthy heart. - Provides calcium, essential for the growth of bones, although it is important to choose these drinks always enriched with calcium. It also contains magnesium and folic acid. - It also contributes
vitamins B1 and B2
that help strengthen hair and nails. Disadvantages of almond milk - The almond drink contains a large amount of sugar, since most of those that are marketed are added with sugars to give it flavor. The ideal is to prepare it at home.
- While it is a drink that contains calcium, it is not the same as consuming whole almonds, it is ideal to buy drinks that are enriched.
- The content of vitamins and minerals is not very high. Al - Having low nutritional intake in the almond drink (not the same if we consume the whole almond),
is not recommended as a substitute for milk for optimal development and growth of the child.
- In case of being allergic or predisposed to allergies, do not introduce until after 2 years, following the medical recommendation.
- After 2 years use it with measure, apparently the almond drink contains chemical compounds that inhibit the absorption of iodine.
