https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 01 Aug 2026 23:41:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-648536 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 19:09:20 +0000 Mrs. Pen 648536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellocupcake: Here is where I learned to make coconut milk:<br /> <a href="http://wildheartfarm.org/2012/09/alternative-milks-coconut-milk/" rel="nofollow">http://wildheartfarm.org/2012/09/alternative-milks-coconut-milk/</a></p> <p>and almond milk: <a href="http://wildheartfarm.org/2012/09/alternative-milks-almond-milk/" rel="nofollow">http://wildheartfarm.org/2012/09/alternative-milks-almond-milk/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-648019 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:32:22 +0000 Weagle 648019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellocupcake: No need to feel silly :). It's only natural for a mother to be concerned about what her child eats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-647970 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 11:59:01 +0000 hellocupcake 647970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.pen and @sahm0811 I like the idea of alternating the different milks (: I am going to try to make my own coconut milk next week, I guess I'm glad she's only 3months old and I have a few more months to figure out what works best for us. I'm beginning to hate the Internet (: If ignorance is bliss, google is the opposite (: haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-647847 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:43:16 +0000 SAHM0811 647847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellocupcake: I know what you mean... the more you read and become informed, the more you will feel defeated at times and go crazy with it! The method to my madness with everything these days is to buy from varied sources to decrease the chance of exposure to a certain brand or food in huge quantities. That way, we keep our risk low. (Sort of like when investing money and having diversity with your accounts). That's why we do a mix of almond and coconut milks and buy from a few different brands regularly. I shop at different grocers anyway. </p> <p>Re: carrageenan... The link I posted above does list many readily available brands that don't have carrageenan in their products. It's not too hard to avoid, so I chose to avoid it if possible, but I honestly don't worry too much about it either. Because at the same time, it also debatable whether or not it is a carcinogen (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/12389870/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/12389870/</a>). </p> <p>I also figure that with milk, 16oz a day is just fine for toddlers because they should be getting nutrition from other sources too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-647758 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 09:49:34 +0000 Mrs. Pen 647758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellocupcake: ummm those sound like extremely unfounded claims. Maybe that might be true for the coconut and almond milks that have additives in it such a carrageenan which is a known carcinogen. Coconuts itself are extremely healthy, they are a super food. Making coconut milk and almond milk at home is insanely easy! Which is what I'm doing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-647646 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 08:50:40 +0000 hellocupcake 647646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@weagle, I honestly didn't even think of it like that. /: I just got overwhelmed that there is no ultimate best overall answer. Now I feel silly (: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-647584 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 07:56:44 +0000 Weagle 647584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellocupcake: I think there's no perfect solution. They all have positives and negatives. One is linked to a specific cancer? Well, genetics plays a much bigger part. One makes your hair turn blue? Well, that doesn't mean everyone's will. I'm not trying to discount your concern at all. I'm just saying there's going to be a negative linked to everything, but chances are, there are much bigger factors in play for these things to occur. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-647514 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 00:58:51 +0000 hellocupcake 647514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After reading this thread it got me thinking about whether or not I should be drinking cow's milk, since it's bad for our health/environment...then I started looking online for the best alternative and now I'm sad. Coconut milk has been linked to an increase in breast cancer?! And almond milk can cause ulcers?! Now I'm more confused than ever on what eating healthy even means anymore :( how do you ladies do it without feeling defeated? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-647491 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 23:58:00 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 647491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: LO has milk allergies so my ped told us that using soy would be just fine (has less fat but other than that is OK) so I plan on using organic, soy milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-647481 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 23:44:50 +0000 Mrs. Pen 647481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SAHM0811: wow! What a thorough list! Thank you for this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-647467 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 23:23:01 +0000 SAHM0811 647467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kml636: @Mrs. Pen: @hummusgirl: here's a good link that lists dairy and non-dairy products without carrageenan.</p> <p><a href="http://www.cornucopia.org/shopping-guide-to-avoiding-organic-foods-with-carrageenan/" rel="nofollow">http://www.cornucopia.org/shopping-guide-to-avoiding-organic-foods-with-carrageenan/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646991 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:28:10 +0000 Mrs. Pen 646991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kml636: @hummusgirl: yeah I just learned that! Carrageenan is actually a carcinogen! I can't believe it's even legal. So upsetting...<br /> That's a reason I've started making my own coconut milk- it's sooo easy! You just use shredded coconut. I also have a recipe for making almond milk, just using almonds and water. It's that simple.</p> <p>@SAHM0811: she actually didn't bring it up haha and I forgot! But she does know we're still breast feeding so that could be why :)</p> <p>@luckypenny: sure! Just give me a second. I'm on my phone and prefer typing lengthy replies on my computer </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646987 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:22:06 +0000 luckypenny 646987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: can you write in my wall why some choose not to use cows milk? I've seen a lot of alternatives on the boards and just haven't done any research yet and since E's 1st is coming up, maybe I should! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646959 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:02:04 +0000 kml636 646959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm interested in this as well but there are so many additives even in organic almond milk, like @hummusgirl: said, carrageen is in almost all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646629 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:59:04 +0000 SAHM0811 646629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: Whole Foods has hemp milk for sure. What did your ped discuss as far as milk at his 12 month appt then? Our ped actually brought up the concept of alternative milk for us. I was surprised she did, but then again, I think a lot more parents are concerned with cow's milk and the dairy industry these days. </p> <p>She said as long as DD is getting a good balanced diet from solids, almond and coconut milk were fine. She also encouraged me to start weaning, but as a SAHM with a baby who refused bottles since Month 2, I knew it wouldn't be that easy for us. So yeah, I don't worry about milk so much because there's nutrition/protein from solids too. Plus, extended bf'ing in our case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646624 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:51:13 +0000 hummusgirl 646624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure what we'll do when the time comes, but I'm leaning toward coconut. My concern with most of the commercially made almond milks is carrageenan which is supposedly not so great. It's a bummer since I used to love Almond Breeze but may look into making my own now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646562 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:14:58 +0000 Mrs. Pen 646562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@prettylizy: lol I don't make it from the whole coconut! too much work! lol I buy the shredded coconut and make it from that :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646557 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:09:05 +0000 prettylizy 646557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I hear ya, the nearest Whole Foods to me is across the border close to an hour away. I always stock up when I'm there since they have a pretty good shelf life, we have a milk shelf just for E in our pantry!!! Luckily Costco sells almond milk by the case, that helps a lot too!!! Good on ya for making your own, I bow to you :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646550 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:03:31 +0000 Mrs. Pen 646550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@prettylizy: yeah my naturally-minded nutritionist friend highly recommends a cod liver oil supplement. I need to get on that!<br /> Also if I make my own milks they wouldn't be calcium fortified but it looks like it has higher calcium content than whole milk anyhow!<br /> I think I'm skipping rice and soy milk but I want to try and find some hemp milk! I bet Whole Foods has some, it's 45 mins away though so we wouldn't be able to buy it consistently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646546 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:01:07 +0000 Mrs. Pen 646546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: great table thanks!!!<br /> I looked up coconut milk - here are the nutrition facts for silk pure brand:<br /> 1 cup coconut milk<br /> calories: 80<br /> fat: 5g<br /> carbs: 7g<br /> sugars: 6g<br /> protein: 1g<br /> calcium: 45%</p> <p>So hemp is best for calcium, but whole milk is best for protein. soy and coconut have the lowest sugar content. Coconut and whole milk have the highest fat content (good fats!!). Very interesting comparison!!</p> <p>I think we'll probably stick with coconut milk then and be conscientious to add in protein in his diet. Especially considering calcium content is even higher in coconut milk vs whole milk!</p> <p>Thanks for this!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646545 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:00:26 +0000 prettylizy 646545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I spoke to my Naturopathic Doctor about it, and her suggestion was not to commit to one specific alternative milk, but to mix them up. She told me that they all have great benefits, and almost all are clacium fortified these days (I think Coconut was the exception). So we alternate between Almond, Flax, hemp and rice milks. Basically I just buy whatever is on sale :P She also recommended that we start DD on an EFA/DHA suppliment. We're using Nordic Naturals Atlantic Cod Liver Oil (it's strawberry flavour). I either add it to her smoothie or just put some in her sippy with her milk. She doesn't know the difference yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646539 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:58:03 +0000 anbanan15 646539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I'm not sure about the use of it as a formula. I know you can get it in fresh and powdered form, although the fresh is believed to have a better effect on ASD patients. I also heard of Tiger's milk being used in some countries! A women in one of our FPIES groups said Camel and Tiger milk are common alternatives where she is from but I'm not sure where that is. </p> <p>Get coconut manna to make your own! Omg that stuff is AMAZING!! It is made from the whole coconut and just the coconut so all the good stuff is in there :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646517 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:46:04 +0000 loveisstrange 646517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I've been considering doing something else as well. I found this chart that I found helpful. </p> [attach=1353/13/mjrd0s.499x254.6a00d83451d48a69e200e5523cf54c8834-800wi.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646513 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:45:45 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 646513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hubby and I drink almond milk almost exclusively (some soy, but only on occasion). I think its a great alternative, and it just tastes so good!<br /> I believe that a lot of the alternative milks are supplemented now, so they have a good amount of calcium and other nutrients as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646509 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:43:09 +0000 Mrs. Pen 646509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anbanan15: I have never even heard of camels milk - that sounds so cool! Would it be approved as a formula substitute if it's the most like breast milk? </p> <p>I have specifically been looking for foods high in calcium that I can add to his diet to be sure he gets enough. I'm leaning toward coconut milk because of the fat content, and magnificent health benefits and it's a milk I can make at home so it doesn't have anything added to it :) My SIL told me how to make almond milk as well but I haven't tried it yet. </p> <p>Thanks for all the info!!</p> <p>@SAHM0811: thanks! I meant to ask our pedi at his 12 mos appt and forgot. I might email her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646426 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:05:39 +0000 anbanan15 646426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is soy, almond, coconut, hemp, oat, rice, sunflower and quinoa milk that are readily available pre-made, but you could literally make a "milk" from anything at home and it is pretty easy. We tried all of the above but LO still reacts to them so he has a toddler perception formula. Ugh</p> <p>Coconut and hemp will give you the most fat and nutrients, but none of them will naturally come close to the calcium in cow's milk so you will have to watch that. Some of them are calcium fortified but it settles to the bottom so really shake! </p> <p>Some animal alternatives are goat, sheep, and camel milk. There is actually some research about Camel's milk helping kids with ADD/ASD/allergies, but it is hard to find. Supposedly it is the most like breastmilk. It just received FDA approval in 2012 to be sold in stores! </p> <p>Here is post on making sunflower milk. The process can be applied to any nut/seed milk (for quinoa you need to cook it first): <a href="http://sweetbeetandgreenbean.net/2008/12/12/raw-cinnamon-sunflower-seed-milk/" rel="nofollow">http://sweetbeetandgreenbean.net/2008/12/12/raw-cinnamon-sunflower-seed-milk/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646413 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:58:05 +0000 SAHM0811 646413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I always read labels when trying new brands and as far as calcium, vitamin D, and other vitamins, yes, they are comparable. We buy from varied sources... mostly Trader Joes, and sometimes the Silk brand or others, depending on price and which store I'm at (I go to like 5 different grocery stores!). But they are not complete replacements for us, since I am still nursing. Our ped though is okay with it. She eats solids pretty well too, for her age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646408 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:54:31 +0000 Mrs.B 646408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: We plan to give A almond milk. It has alot of nutrients and more calcium then cows milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646405 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:51:44 +0000 Mrs. Pen 646405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SAHM0811: do you know anything about the nutrient content and whether they contain enough nutrients to be a replacement for whole milk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alternative-milks#post-646403 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:50:52 +0000 SAHM0811 646403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We drink almond and coconut milk. They taste better than other alternative milks, we think! </p>