Pregnancy comes with a lot of responsibility and self-care. If you are expecting a baby and allergic to lactose consumption, you will most likely look for healthy cow milk alternatives for your pregnancy. Surprisingly almond milk is the best vegan choice for cow milk, with many health benefits for you and your little one.
Pregnant women require more nutrition to support their as well as their child’s growth. Almond milk has all the essentials nutrients to help your baby in his initial days.
Almond milk is vegan milk made from almonds and water. It has vitamins A, D, E, B12, calcium, protein, and fiber. In research conducted by USDA, it is found that almond milk constitutes more vitamins as compared to cow’s milk making it a good choice for pregnancy.
Your infant in your womb is very delicate, and you must be very anxious to know more about almond milk before consuming it. In this article, we will answer all of your questions, such as if there are any possible side effects of drinking almond milk in pregnancy? Is it safe for your baby? Should you switch from cow milk to almond milk if pregnant?
Let’s find out the health benefits of drinking almond milk during pregnancy.
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Why Is Almond Milk Good for Pregnancy?
It is very important to take a healthy diet during pregnancy- as whatever you eat will be shared with your baby inside the womb. In addition, during pregnancy, it is a must to have a proper intake of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, vitamin A, D, E, B2, and protein.
Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin. This vitamin is essential for the body to produce energy. It also plays a crucial role in baby’s growth, good vision, tissue development, bone development, muscle development, and healthy skin.
Apart from vitamin B2, almonds also contain a good amount of calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and vitamin E. These all are vital nutrients for your child’s overall growth.
Benefits of Drinking Almond Milk while Pregnant
After knowing all of the good points about almond milk, now let’s find out the benefits of almond milk in your pregnancy and how it contributes to your baby’s health. Below are the top 10 benefits why you should include almond milk in your diet when pregnant:
1. Rich in Antioxidants
Placental development inside the womb causes oxidative stress, and when you supply the body with fewer antioxidants, it causes elevated oxidative stress levels. This can negatively impact the infant and could cause serious complications.
Almond milk consists of a high level of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. Therefore, with a regular intake of almond milk, you can avoid such conditions during your pregnancy.
However, it is always advisable to consult your doctor to help you with a proper diet plan suitable for you.
2. Vitamins
Almond milk is the powerhouse of essential pregnancy vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, E, and B2. These vitamins are vital for your baby’s stronger bones and muscles while making the mother more healthy and active.
3. Calcium
Almonds are naturally a good source of calcium. However, most commercial almond milk are fortified with more calcium in it. This makes almond milk a good choice for pregnancy. In addition, taking almond milk helps both mother and baby in building stronger bones and fighting osteoporosis.
4. Prevent High Blood Pressure
Almond milk is free from fats and cholesterols. It also contains low sodium content and has plenty of healthy fats like omega fatty acids. These factors contribute to managing your blood pressure. According to The American Health Association, monounsaturated fat found in almond milk helps keep your heart healthy while managing your blood pressure.
5. Prevent Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a condition in which the body stops producing enough insulin and results in high blood sugar levels. This happens mostly in pregnant women due to several hormonal changes in the body.
Generally, this type of diabetes goes away after giving birth to your child, but it could be very harmful to your child in the womb.
Almond milk may be very helpful in managing your blood sugar level during pregnancy. This is because almonds are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including protein, fiber, magnesium, and calcium. In a study, it is found that consumption of more almond milk helps in reduced sugar levels. On the other side, it is proven that magnesium present in almond milk makes it beneficial in gestational and type-2 diabetes.
6. Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Omega-3 fatty acid present in almond milk makes it a must to have during pregnancy. The omega-3 fatty acid is an essential fatty acid that must be consumed while in pregnancy. It is very crucial for fetal brain development and retina. The omega-3 fatty acid is also critical for reducing prenatal stress and depression.
7. Minerals
Almond milk is an excellent source of Minerals. You need to intake 1000-1200 mg calcium and 320 mg magnesium per day to balance the body metabolism in pregnancy. Almond milk also contains a rich amount of Copper, Iron, Phosphorus, Manganese. to prevent mineral deficiency, almond milk can be an excellent choice to take every day.
8. Skin Health
Almond milk is full of powerful antioxidants. It has vitamin B12 that is very beneficial for skin, hair, and nails. During pregnancy, every woman faces dry and rough skin. It nourished skin properly, and it has vitamin E that gives you glowing and healthy skin. It also prevents wrinkles and fine lines on the face.
9. Bone Health of Baby
During pregnancy, you have to ensure that your diet is loaded with calcium, magnesium, vitamin k, and vitamin d. Dinking almond milk will ensure your baby’s stronger bone as you take required minerals through Almond milk.
10. Fights Acne
During the time of pregnancy, the body makes lots of changes, and it may give you acne on your face and if you are using Dairy products situation can be worst. If you prefer almond milk over cow milk, then the calcium and vitamin d in almond milk will prevent acne, and you will get acne free glowing skin.
Is Almond Milk Safe for Baby?
It is safe for mother and baby, but it may cause some side effects. If you have a history of allergy to vegan milk, then take it in a moderate amount to avoid any issues.
Possible Side Effects of Drinking Almond Milk in Pregnancy
There might be some side effects of drinking almond milk, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Skin Reaction
- Breathing Issues
- Abdominal Problems
If you face any of these issues, please stop consuming almond milk and consult your doctor for further guidance.
Bottom Line: Can you Drink Almond Milk While Pregnant
You can drink almond milk while pregnant. It is safe and healthy to consume almond milk in moderate quantity. However in case of any allergy or previous medical condition it is advisable to ask your doctor for proper diet plan.
