One of my clients, asked an outstanding question regarding the post entitled: ”What Else is in that Bowl of Milk and Cereal?” It was such a great question that I wanted to address it in an article.
Crystal writes…
Dear Diary of a Nutritionist,
“… I’m switching to almond milk! I was wondering what you’d suggest for young children… the AAP recommends whole milk for children after 1 year of age for healthy development (bone and brain)… my guess would be almond milk, etc. lacks the needed fat content that whole cow’s milk has, so would using organic cow’s milk be the compromise until the fat content wasn’t an issue and children could be switched over to less horrific alternatives, like almond milk?”
Crystal, you are a wonderful and intuitive mother, I can tell this already.
As I addressed in the Multi-Post Series about Milk, Cows milks, is fit for a calf… Not a grown cow, not an infant, not an adolescent and most certainly not for an adult. While organic milk is lacking chemicals and hormones, it is still pasteurized, killing off healthy bacteria, and any vitamins and minerals. It is also important to note that it still contains the slow-digesting, and mucous-forming, protein– casein.
Children that consume milk, organic or not, generally suffer from chronic sinus infections, painful ear infections, and even hyperactivity disorders, such as ADHD.
It is entirely correct to point out that almond milk would not be sufficient nourishment for a growing child. Fat is necessary for all humans, especially infants, when healthy bone and brain development is crucial. All fats are not created equal of course, and therefore it is important to choose the right fats.
Lets take a look at two different fats. Milk fat and Avocado Fat.
1 cup of Whole Milk contains approximately 8 grams of pasteurized milk fat, and 8 grams of the slow-digesting protein, casein. 1 cup of pureed avocado, provides 35 grams of digestible, nutrient dense, raw fat, and 5 grams of easily digestible plant protein. Look at the nutrition facts below for further comparison.
Information was taken from NutritionData.com and commented on by author of this publication.
So… if infants should not have cow milk, how do they receive the proper nutrition necessary for healthy bone and brain development?
Natalia Rose, mentor, renown Clinical Nutritionist, author, and mother of two, beautiful and radiant children (both of which, I have had the pleasure of meeting), suggests combining different variations of fruit, greens and raw fats.
My personal favorite drinks, formulated for optimal growth and development, consist of the following combinations:
- Freshly-pressed Organic Carrot Juice + Organic Romaine Juice + Organic Romaine leaves + Avocado
- Freshly-pressed Organic Carrot Juice + Banana + Avocado + Organic Romaine Leaves
- Organic Peaches + Banana + Organic Romaine Juice and leaves
- Freshly-pressed Orange juice + Banana + Avocado
- Freshly-pressed Organic Pear juice + Avocado + Organic Romaine Leaves
- Freshly-pressed Apple juice + Avocado + Organic Romaine Leaves + 1 stalk celery
Most of these recipes rely on avocado as their main source of fat. It is recommended, and entirely possible to interchange “avocado” for other fats such as:
1. A raw, cold-pressed flax oil.
I recommend organic, cold-pressed oils by Barleans.
2. A tbsp, or two, of raw almond butter.
Make sure that the nut butter is raw and without additives. If you have a high speed blender, you can make this nut butter yourself.
Always make sure the shake is blended until it entirely without lumps. There should be no pointy romaine leaves, or lumps of almond butter. Add water if needed.
Important Note: Do not feed infants raw honey, strawberries, peanut or soy products.
Play around with the combinations. I personally like using Organic Romaine leaves, as they rich in enzymes, and their water is nutrient rich. Organic cucumbers are great for building volume, as they are a very watery vegetable. I do not suggest juicing spinach. A perfect combination is one that contains something green, something sweet, and is balanced with a raw fat (avocado, flax oil, or almond butter). A mother’s milk contains a plethora of nutrients, natural sugar and fat. With the right combination, your baby will love these sweet and nourishing drinks. These nutrient dense, milk alternatives are derived from nature, and raw, just as Mother Nature intended.
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Disclaimer: I am not a Dr. All information printed here is based on my own research and from discussions with other holistic nutritionists. As always, it is important to consult your child’s pediatrician before implementing any diet program.
Hi! I’m curious about the beverages you recommend up there. For what age are they suggested for? Do you “Juice” in a juicer or “Blend” in a blender the ingredients? Do you know of any doctors who support a cow milk free diet? What do you think about cheese, butter and yogurt?
Curious if she replied to this comment about the juicer/blender. I have the exact same question.
The Juice is Juiced and the ingredients like romaine and avocado (which do not say juice) are blended. Sorry for the confusion!
I was unable to breastfeed and my daughter could not tolerate any formula due to poor digestion. She had bad colic too. At four months old, my homeopatic doctor and a Dr. Sears book suggested cow’s milk. Even though it is pasturized, we buy it in the refrigerated section (Meyenberg) and add water, it has made all the difference. She no longer has digestive issues since using cow milk products and is happy and healthy. She only eats goat yogurt and goat cheese which are both pasturized, but are not mucuous forming. She has only had one cold in her 18 months of life. Good Luck!!
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the drinks sound great, but do they supply enough calcium? thanks!! weaning baby over to SOMETHING within the next month and i have serious concerns about organic whole milk…
This is SOO helpful. Thank you for such a wonderful article. My one year old has so many intolerances and I’ve just started avocado smoothies w/ success. Great combo ideas above. I freeze lots of avocado in cubes and pull from the freezer when needed. I usually make 2 small smoothie combos per day. I’ll be trying the above next week!!
I am so happy that you found this article useful! Please let me know how these shakes work for you and little one!
I love the suggestions and keen to suggest to clients and friends. I was just wondering if you have had any feedback from Mum’s by now and whether the high fibre content compared to milk is a pro or a con for young children.
I would not be concerned about the fiber content as o pertains to digestion. Animal Milk (not a human mother’s) is very difficult for babies to digest. Plant proteins, especially minimal amounts in blended form are much gentler and friendlier, even aiding the colon. If your concern is digestion, start small and see how your child reacts. Let me know!
Thanks for the reply. We’re going to give it a try!
No problems with digestion here – my daughter is almost 14 months. And…she’s had her fair share of digestion issues! I am so relieved we’ve finally found a great alternative to cow milk. I make almond milk every other day for her (always seem to have almonds soaking on the counter…for better digestion) – she drinks about 15 ounces per 24 hours. Sooo…there’s some almond milk feedback for you!
Thank you for this!!! My 9mo will be transitioning soon and I am so worried about cow’s milk for him! I’ll talk to the pediatrician tomo and see what he thinks
Thank you so mush for this post!! My 12 month old daughter has had digestive issues since birth. I have been to doctor after doctor for the past year with no improvement. Through a milk scan they have found she has extremely slow digestion. In 1 hour she had only digested 25% of her stomach’s contents. Their advice is to give her a small dose of an antibiotic 3 times a day?!! This seems crazy to me but they are 100% confident this is “safe” and the “only” solution. I have been so discouraged! Then I read this article….. I am so excited to try out these recipes!! I have been so worried about the imminent switch to whole milk. I felt like I had no other option! Thank you so much for the hope AND information! Any further information or advice on the subject would be greatly appreciated!!
Would love to hear how she does! Send me an email to lauren@theglowdetoxdiet.com
HI Nicole! Just wanted to offer support as well if you need it! My daughter is 16 months and had a very difficult first year w/ digestion as well. When we switched to homemade almond milk at a year – everything was so simplified and worked so wonderfully! The recipes from Lauren are wonderful!! Good luck!
I would also like to know how this works for you and your daughter. My sister in law has a 3 month old with digestion as well and she, I am sure, is only digesting 25% of her food. She is very under weight. I am currently 20 weeks pregnant and currently researching milk alternatives for my newborn because there is the possibility I may not be able to breast feed and I don’t trust baby formulas; especially with the new research out about brown corn syrup that is in most formulas and contains high levels of arsenic. If anyone can provide me with more information that would be wonderful!
If you could post an update on the forum about your daughter or email me as well: mdc5113@gmail.com That would be great!
Hi Megan – I was unable to breastfeed and it was so devastating – I’m already afraid in thinking of whether we will have another child and how I will feed him/her. I too will research a lot in trying to think through the best alternative when he/she is first born. There just HAS to be better alternatives out there than what is available on ‘the shelves’ – I think formula companies and doctors use scare tactics to be honest with you?? Real food is where it’s at.
As far as almond milk goes – It would need a lot of fortifying? Extra fats like organic virgin coconut oil (lauric acid – found in breastmilk!) and such.
I’m curious if Lauren has any thoughts on this. It has been so wonderful feeding it to my 16 month old after such a horrible first year w/ feeding issues – but – I started her on it at 12 months – after she was on solids. So, for a newborn – I don’t know what would need to be added.
I will email you a quick note so you have my address…:)
Have either of you thought about milk banks? I can’t remember the name of the website but there is a program where women donated their breast milk that they pumped. I am not sure if either of you have the option to pump. I pumped for 10 months. Things really went down hill in the last two months when we switched to organic formula. Maybe if you pumped and cut dairy out of your own diet? Not sure what your options are so I just thought I would throw it all out there. As an update on my 12 month old things are looking up… knock on wood. We switched her to almond milk and and have been giving her avocado smoothies a couple of times a day. She seems like a brand new child?! Happy… giggly… very mobile…out of no where?! I don’t KNOW that it was the diet change but I certainly think so. Time will tell. We had her 12 month check up today and got the thumbs up from the pediatrician. After I give it a little more time I will update again. Good luck!!
I read that a lot of people are relying on their peds for information. I can state that no pediatrician I’ve ever been to has suggested anything other than cow’s milk. As well as a bunch of other things not necessary for a child’s “healthy” nutrition. My granddaughters all have cow milk allergies, as does myself and their parents. When eating cereal and the like, we use almond milk. I also use it for cooking. I use unsweetened unflavored almond milk. NO allergies whatsoever! I would recommend seeking the advice of a natural path, as they give sounder advice.