Cow milk vs. soy milk vs. rice milk?!
Cow milk vs. soy milk vs. rice milk?
I have two little ones who I give soy milk to. My sister gives her children rice milk. Most people give thier children cow's milk. I have chosen soy milk mainly because of the hormones in cow's milk...but now I am hearing bad things about soy milk. If anyone actually knows something about this subject, please give me your input...(if you just want to be rude, you can save it. I am looking for a serious answer from someone who actually knows what they are talking about)
Answers:
I have heard that soy milk still contains plant estrogens...
I'm not exactly sure what that means...let's research shall we?
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/2df32.htm...
that website has an interesting artical about plant estrogen.
http://www.babycenter.com/expert/baby/ba...
This artical talks about how soy milk is safe despite the plant estrogen.
I have very little scientific knowledge of the subject, but much anecdotal. My son was diagnosed with a dairy allergy about 8 months ago and we switched him to soy milk and soy products exclusively. He continued to have severe diarrhea despite many diet changes, tests, screenings etc. We finally made the move to take him off soy milk about 3 weeks ago and his digestive problems cleared up almost immediately. He is now on rice milk and is back to eating small amounts of dairy, with nothing but success. Our doctor told us that it isn't uncommon for young children to react negatively to soy milk in that fashion, especially those who already have allergies. Besides, I think rice milk tastes much better! Also available is almond milk for a change of pace. It doesn't taste like milk so much, but has a distinct nutty flavor to it.
If you do decide to go with rice milk, it's very expensive at most stores, but if you have a Trader Joes around you, it's about half the price as anywhere else at these stores. Comparable grocery stores to TJs would be Whole Foods, Organic Market, etc.
Hi,
I read information that soy milk used to be bad for kids, due to the way it was processed, but that has changed and is now fine to be used for children, as long as you aren't using it to replace formula (there are special soy formulas for this). My daughter drinks soy milk (not a whole glass, just when she drinks from our glasses) and she loves it. We no longer (for the last few months) drink any cows milk because my wife is having stomach problems with it. We now drink Silk Soy Vanilla (it is the only one available in bulk here where we live) and we like it even more than the Skim milk that we used to drink. I have used it as a base for Nestle Quik, and also use it interchangeably in my cooking, in omelets, shakes, or whatever. I'm sorry don't have a link to that info, but I remember one vegetarian friend telling me that he doesn't drink cows milk simply because his body doesn't need it. Calves drink milk, nad are weaned. Babies drink breast milk and are weaned. You don't see a cow going to drink some other animals milk after weaning.
Thats all beside the point. Anything that you are hearing bad about soy milk deserves to be looked at, as these are your children that you are feeding it to, but don't go crazy without taking into account all of the info.
Good health to you.
EDIT
After reading the previous posters response, some infants and people can have digestive problems when drinking soy products, because it is afterall, a legume that can cause flatulence in a lot of people.
About rice milk, I had some success a few years back in making some good tasting stuff at home, but I have never been able to repeat it, and haven't actually tried for a few years. YOu could probably find something on the net about how to make it at home.
I say deffiently take them off soy milk..
soy that the Europeans have is way different to the soy that the japanesse have..they have it fermented thats your tempeh,soy sauce,miso,nato..fermenting destroys the goitroges that inhibit proper thyroid function...soy milk is unfermented so having that daily will greatly supplress their thyroids.
I use rice milk personally... i worked at a healthsop for 4.5 years and everyone at work pretty much avoided soy in large quantities.
read this article too very interesting
http://www.mercola.com/2000/apr/9/soy_re...
you might have to enter your email to see the article.
I've had soy milk (Plain). It tasted awful, each time. I've had soy milk (Vanilla) very good. I had rice milk, once. Hard to drink, but not bad. I grew up on cow's milk (regular) but it got to be too rich and fattening. I've had cows milk (low fat) but it always made me cough.I've been drinking Cows Milk (Fat free) since High school. It's the only milk I can drink, easily. It tastes nothing like water, which is what I drink with my every dinner. The choice is yours, but I'd think you'd want to do, what your sister does. Or even what is best for everyone in the house. If you can drink soy milk and the kids can, then stick to it. Other wise, switch.
too much soy is bad for you
you don't need cows milk
rice milk doesn't taste that great
I just don't like/drink milk. There is no need for it, you get more calcium from food that are healthier. Over loading on soy is bad for your body.
I have been giving my little one soy milk (unsweetened) since I took him off formula about a year ago, and his pediatrician has always stated that he is in excellent health, I myself drink soy milk and am also exceptionally healthy. I know many many parents who have given soy milk to there children there whole lives and are all in great health!
I drink milk that comes from cows because that is where milk comes from milk does not come from plants that would be juice. Thanks for making me feel so smart. and why do you want to be a vegetarian. You will still die someday you might as well enjoy life while you are here