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What milk is the best for my Kids?

2K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  haimen 
#1 ·
Hi! Two weeks ago I decided to become vegeterian and I try to become vegan. So we don't eat meat anymore and I stopped buying dairy milk. Of course I don't want to buy any other dairy products instead.

My kids are 2 and 4 years old. They tried soy milk, rice milk and almonds milk, they like all of them. We didn't try oat milk yet, but we will... So what do you think would be the best milk for my kids?

What else is important when we become vegan?

What about vitamin B12?? When it does only come from animal products, from what are the tablets made from?
 
#2 ·
Hmm, I have mostly tried almond, and rice.

Coconut is definitely worth a try!! It's creamy and delish!

Oat milk is also worth a try. I have had it!! Creamy as well

I had a carton of hazelnut that I didn't really get to try because I forgot to put it in the fridge....@_@ yeah.

There are tons more like flax, walnut, hemp, grain, and cashew!

Oh yes, about b12. B12 is actually bacteria not animal based. It is found in soil. Some b12 is harvested from animals though so that's not vegan. There are vegan b12 supplements but you may be happy to know that many vegan foods are already fortified with b12 such as fortified tofu, non dairy milks, and vegan entrees. So you shouldn't have to worry about it too much. I have a multi with b12 I take occasionally, not too often but just to make sure. of course it's vegan. You may be interested in it for your kids, though it's not necessary if you eat a varied diet. Veg Life Kids Multiple http://store.veganessentials.com/veglife-vegan-kids-multiple-vitamin-and-mineral-p1792.aspx

You may also find these sites helpful on your new vegan journey! Any other questions? We are here for you :)

http://www.veganoutreach.org

http://www.farmsanctuary.com

http://www.veganhealth.com

http://www.vegansociety.com

http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/accidentally-vegan.aspx (foods that are accidentally vegan)
 
#3 ·
Welcome Nesrin. My son has been an avid fan of soy milk for a long time. I usually buy an enriched milk because he's a light eater so I like him to get some extra vitamins in him when I can - also fortified foods are good for B12.

B12 is one of the water-soluble vitamins and you can't easily get it without animal products unless you eat fortified foods. So if you're a vegan - especially a kid vegan you need to consider this because while B12 builds up in your body (say if you were a meat eater) it can take years to build up stores, so a child would be missing this.

You can find it in fortified foods such as some non-dairy milks, meat substitutes and breakfast cereals. It's also in one or two nutritional yeasts I believe (read your labels).

I'd serve fortified foods and speak with your child's doctor about possible supplements. B12 helps protect your nervous system, so I wouldn't mess around with a possible deficiency.
 
#4 ·
The main thing you should check is the sugar content. A LOT of non dairy milks are loaded with sugar which will not be good for your kids. There is a brand of soy called Nature Soy has some sugar free options, also there is a type of Almond Breeze which is sugar free.

Also, if you're going to use non dairy milks a lot, you will find it cheaper and healthier to make your own. That way you can omit or minimalise the sugar, and you don't have to worry about additives and preservatives.

http://www.thekitchn.com/diy-nutmilks-5-easy-and-nourishing-recipes-176008

http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2011/05/homemade_oat_milk.php

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/09/do-it-yourself-homemade-rice-milk.html
 
#5 ·
DIY soy milk can be super cheap, DIY rice and oat milk probably equally inexpensive. This also means you can control sugar content. However, these are not fortified, so make sure you get enough calcium, etc, from other sources and always have a B12 supplement or source handy.

B12 is synthesized from bacterial fermentation, neither plants nor animals produce it naturally and farmed animals have to have it added to their diet anyway.
 
#6 ·
Thx guys! :)

I'll try to find fortified vegan food. I didn't care about that yet, but that's a good idea.

The sugar is ok, because they drink only one cup in the morning and if it is not sweet enough they wouldn't drink it. The rest of the day they drink water, so it is ok.
 
#7 ·
As you're not too worried about the sugar content.....We use So Good Lite in our house (Though, they have a range of other 'types' even a barrista range) It's B12 fortified with a non animal source, from the last lot we picked up at the store. You might need to check the ingredients, to make sure they haven't changed anything since the last time I bought some, on last check it was completely vegan.

B vitamins are apparently VERY important. But if you're in Aus, your kids will probably be eating vegemite as it's the law!!!! :p (it says suitable for vegetarians, but I looked over the ingredients and it looks vegan to me. Just check though, you might know better than I do. There are ones that are vegan out there, I'm sure of it.) or possibly even baked beans? Those are both good sources of vitamin B too.

Good luck!
 
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