Pregnancy can be a very exciting time for parents. A baby grows inside of your tummy for nine months, sharing resources, food and nutrients with you. It is important to know what you can eat or drink and what you can’t.
Milk is one of the absolute necessities during pregnancy because of all its vitamins and calcium. However, when it comes to almond milk lovers, you may be wondering what it can do for you during your pregnancy. Almond milk has benefits, side effects and there are certain precautions that must be thought of.
Here’s what we know:
According to Pregnancy Food Checker, almond milk is a better choice compared to cow’s milk as it is unsweetened, it has no added thickeners and it does not have artificial flavouring.
What are the benefits?
According to Parenting.FirstCry, almond milk is high in protein, and makes an ideal choice for a growing infant. It also benefits mom and baby in the following ways:
- Nutritional Antioxidant
- A healthier heart
- Beneficial for bone strength
- Prevents high blood pressure
- Manages gestational diabetes (GDM)
- An excellent option for vegans
- Better skin
- Keeps blood glucose levels under control
- Prevents the occurrence of osteoporosis
What are the side effects?
When you are pregnant, products labelled as “almond milk” can be harmful to the developing embryo of your unborn baby. A small number of women experience unpleasant side effects due to how much of the almond milk is consumed.
- Digestive issues
- Fat accumulation and obesity
- Severe gastrointestinal reactions
- Hypersensitivity
- Inadequate health supplement
- Fatigue and weakness
- Possible nut allergy
- Impacts the thyroid gland
What precautions should be taken while drinking almond milk when pregnant?
There are many debates regarding if almond milk is okay to consume while you are pregnant. While drinking almond milk can be beneficial during pregnancy, there are a few precautions and tips to keep in mind as per Parenting.FirstCry:
- It is helpful to consume dairy products, such as yoghurt because it helps you feel fuller for a more extended time.
- Pouring milk on top of your porridge before eating it keeps you full longer.
- Salads and sandwiches are made even better with cheddar and have almost no fat at all.
- Avoid unpasteurized milk and dairy products made from unpasteurized milk.
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