Pregnancy is a time of joy and anticipation, but it also brings up many questions. One question that frequently arise is whether it is permissible to drink soy milk during pregnancy. Here are the facts on soy milk and pregnancy to help answer your questions.
What Is Soy Milk And How It Is Made?
Soy milk is a plant-based, highly nutritious, and delicious alternative to dairy milk. Soy milk is made by soaking dried soybeans in water and grinding them in two separate steps. The first involves grinding, which is full milling of the soybean to make it smooth. The second involves liquefying, a process that removes solids, leaving just the liquid behind.
The result is a creamy product with a nutty flavor that has been enjoyed throughout Asia for centuries. It is also popular in Western cultures as people began looking for vegan, dairy-free alternatives to cow’s milk for themselves or their children.
Soy milk contains many healthy nutrients including protein, calcium, vitamin D, and iron. It has also been linked to many health benefits such as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
For decades, soy has been recognized as a safe food for children and women during pregnancy. Research on the benefits of eating soy while pregnant is still emerging but we do know that Asian countries with high rates of tofu consumption have some of the lowest rates in the world when it comes to preterm births, miscarriages, and infant mortality.
Soy milk comes in many forms, including flavored, sweetened (like chocolate), and unsweetened. Most varieties are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. There is also another variant called black soymilk that is higher in antioxidants and contains more nutrients than regular soy milk such as Vitamins B1 and B2. It is also lower in carbohydrates, sugar, and calories. Organic soy milk is also available for those seeking to avoid GMOs and pesticides.
Is Soy Milk Healthy For Pregnant Women, Nursing Mothers, And Children?
Pregnant Women
While the research is not conclusive on this topic yet, some researchers are concerned that consuming too much of these compounds could cause hormonal imbalances in children exposed to high levels while still in utero. The good news for pregnant women who are fans of soy milk is that the research has not shown any significant negative effects from consuming this product during pregnancy. The key here is moderation and variety – if you enjoy a glass of soy milk now and then during your pregnancy, that may be enough to reap the potential health benefits without putting your unborn baby at risk.
Soy milk is considered safe to consume during all three trimesters of pregnancy; however, there may be some limitations for women who have certain conditions or are otherwise advised not to drink it. Soy milk is not safe for women with estrogen-related cancers like endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer because its high levels of phytoestrogens may interfere with their medication or worsen existing symptoms.
For this reason, it should be avoided by women who are at risk of getting these diseases until they consult their doctor about it.
Nursing Mothers
For nursing mothers, soy milk is an excellent choice because it provides the same amount of nutrients (protein, calcium, vitamin A, iron, and more) as regular cow’s milk does for their babies without causing any adverse effects to either party.
Soy milk is also lactose-free, so it does not cause the digestive issues that dairy milk can. However, if a nursing mother is allergic to soy products or has been diagnosed with estrogen-related cancer, she should avoid it. It may be best for her to drink regular cow’s milk instead while breastfeeding until the baby is weaned from breastmilk completely.
Children
Soy milk is completely safe for children because it does not contain any hormones and is a good alternative for children who cannot drink cow’s milk. It is also ideal for lactose-intolerant individuals and vegans because it does not contain any animal products or byproducts like whey, casein, eggs, etc. that are usually found in regular dairy milk.
However, soy milk should not be given to infants/toddlers because their digestive systems are still developing and can’t fully digest its proteins. There may also be some concerns about early exposure to estrogen in young boys which could interfere with their natural development. For this reason, it’s best to wait until the child is at least three years old before introducing any kind of soy milk into his or her diet. For more information about the benefits and risks associated with soy products for young children, speak to your pediatrician.
The main consideration you need to make if your child drinks soy milk every day is the amount of sugar he or she takes in daily through other foods and beverages like fruit juices, soda, sports drinks, etc. If your child does not eat a lot of sugar or other sweetened foods, soy milk may even help him or her maintain healthier levels of blood pressure and cholesterol later in life. The nutrients present in it can also help promote a higher bone density, which is especially beneficial to girls who are going through puberty.
How Much Should You Drink If You’re Pregnant Or Nursing
If you are not sure about the safety of soy milk for certain health conditions like cancer or heart disease, consult your doctor before drinking it. The same goes if you’re breastfeeding as well because anything that is consumed by a nursing mother could affect her baby’s health and development in some way.
However, in general, drinking soy milk during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or childhood is considered safe as long as it’s in moderation. It does not pose any serious health risks to women who are expecting or have just given birth.
For new mothers who are having difficulties purchasing their soy milk from physical stores, Yeo’s Soymilk is available for delivery at the largest eCommerce stores in your area. It can be kept at room temperature and is made from 100% non-genetically modified Canadian soy beans, which makes it perfect for you and your little one. There is also the black soy option that is higher in antioxidants with the same smooth, creamy taste.
So Mums and Mums-to-be, we hope you have a better understanding of Soy Milk now and can make a better choice today!