Is Almond Milk Good For Pregnancy? Your Guide To Almond Milk and Pregnancy

"The content below is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition."

As a pregnant woman, there are all kinds of foods you should be eating and should avoid eating.

You may be wondering, “Where does almond milk stand?”

The kind of milk you are pouring into your cereal bowl can make a difference.

In this guide, we will talk about everything you need to know about consuming almond milk while pregnant, including:

• Whether it is safe for you to consume
• What kind of almond milk you should be consuming, and
• The benefits of drinking almond milk during pregnancy.

It’s probably not news to you that almond milk isn’t actually “milk.”

Almond milk is a dairy-free option made of almonds and filtered water. Some manufactured almond milk may also contain starches and thickeners to improve its consistency and shelf life.

While almond milk itself isn’t a direct source of calcium and vitamin D, most almond milks are fortified with these nutrients, making it a rich source of vitamins and minerals.

Almond milk can also be flavored or sweetened. To get the best benefits from consuming almond milk during pregnancy, we recommend drinking unsweetened and unflavored almond milk. For more nutritional guidance on what to consume while pregnant, schedule a free consultation with HealthierU.

 

Drinking cow’s milk in moderation during pregnancy isn’t inherently bad. In fact, cow’s milk is a great source of protein and iodine, both of which are essential nutrients for pregnant women.

 

Unlike cow’s milk, almond milk is not a source of protein. However, there are still many pros to drinking almond milk instead of cow’s milk, including:

 

• It’s dairy-free. If you are lactose intolerant, almond milk is a great non-dairy alternative. Cow’s milk can also be a trigger for acid reflux . Switching from cow’s milk to almond milk can help reduce acid reflux episodes.
• It’s low-fat. Cow’s milk can be high in saturated fats, which should be limited during pregnancy. Drinking almond milk is a great way to cut down on fat consumption.

 

Besides being a great vegan-friendly milk option, drinking unsweetened and unflavored almond milk during pregnancy offers many health benefits to you and your baby.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of almond milk while pregnant.

Fortified almond milk is a great source of calcium.

Calcium is an essential mineral in any diet, but it is especially important when you are pregnant.

When pregnant, your body delivers calcium to your baby to help strengthen and develop their bones, teeth, and overall health.

Calcium isn’t just important for your baby’s health.

If you aren’t consuming enough calcium, your body will start depleting its own stores to deliver calcium to the baby. This can put you at high risk of bone loss during pregnancy and increase your risk for developing osteoporosis.

Studies show that pregnant women need to consume at least 1,000mg of calcium per day, or 1,300mg if the expecting mother is under the age of 18. Consuming almond milk is a great way to help add more calcium into your diet and hit your daily goal.

Fortified almond milk is full of vitamins and minerals that benefit the growth of your baby, including:

• Calcium — which helps promote fetal bone and teeth growth.
• Vitamin A — which is essential for fetal organ and skeletal development.
• Vitamin B12 — which is vital for the formation of red blood cells and a functioning nervous system in fetuses.
• Vitamin D — which helps support fetal bone health, healthy cell division, and immune function. It can also reduce your risk of developing preeclampsia.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention , 2-10% of pregnancies in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes.

This happens when your body doesn’t make enough insulin during pregnancy. As a result, your blood sugar levels tend to be higher than normal.

It is important to keep gestational diabetes under control, as it can put your baby at higher risk of:

• Weighing 9 pounds or more, making it more difficult to deliver
• Being born prematurely
• Having low blood sugar
• Developing type 2 diabetes later in life

If you have gestational diabetes, it is important to carefully monitor your carbohydrate consumption, as carbs raise blood sugar.

One of the benefits of drinking almond milk during pregnancy is that it isn’t a source of carbohydrates, making it an excellent alternative to other milks and a great way to help reduce your carb consumption.

It is important to note that this information is accurate for unsweetened almond milk.

Almond milk with sweeteners can elevate your blood sugar levels and do more harm than good. Do not drink sweetened milk if you have or are at risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Unlike most dairy products, almond milk is low in saturated fat, which helps lower your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of high blood pressure.

High blood pressure during pregnancy can pose numerous risks, including:

• Developing preeclampsia
• Premature delivery
• Placental abruption
• Future development of cardiovascular disease
• And more

Drinking almond milk can be a great way to ensure proper nutrients during your pregnancy, but it may not be the best option for some.

You should not drink almond milk if:

1. You have a nut allergy. Drinking almond milk could result in an allergic reaction, putting both you and your baby in danger.
2. You have thyroid dysfunction. Almond milk contains goitrogens , which interfere with the production of thyroid hormones by disrupting iodine uptake in the thyroid gland.

It is also important to keep in mind that while almond milk is packed with helpful vitamins and minerals, it is also low in calories. You’ll want to make sure that you are still ingesting the recommended amount of daily calories for pregnant women when substituting almond milk with other higher calorie options.

It is common for expecting mothers to feel unsure of what should and shouldn’t be included in their diet.

Let’s take a look at some of the main questions pregnant mothers have when it comes to consuming almond milk.

When it comes to nutrition and pregnancy, it is not always easy to know what is safe to consume, especially when normal foods like coffee and fish suddenly aren’t recommended.

Many expecting mothers have the same question about almond milk — “Is it safe to consume during pregnancy?”

The answer is yes.

Aside from being safe to consume, there are many positive benefits to drinking almond milk during pregnancy.

Because almond milk is packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential to your baby’s growth and development, drinking almond milk during early pregnancy is a great way to make sure those important nutrients are making their way into your diet.

Low-fat calcium-rich milk, like almond milk, is the healthiest choice for pregnant women. Reduced fat or whole-milk dairy products contain a high amount of saturated fat, which can raise your cholesterol and put expecting mothers at risk for high blood pressure and heart disease.

Like any unpasteurized beverage, almond milk that has not been pressed or heat-treated carries a small risk for bacterial development.

Therefore, it is best to stay away from unpasteurized, raw almond milk while pregnant.

How do you know if almond milk is unpasteurized or not? Luckily, the FDA requires brands to explicitly state on the front of the label whether their product is pasteurized or not.

Another great way to avoid unpasteurized almond milk is to stick to the shelf-stable aisles, as almond milk stored at room temperature is highly likely to be pasteurized. Some almond milks in the refrigerator section may be “freshly pressed” and therefore, not subject to pasteurization to kill off potential bacteria.

If you prefer to make your own almond milk, you can still do so as long as you consume it immediately. This is a safe option because there is very little time for bacteria to grow.

Almond milk is a great milk alternative during pregnancy as long as it is:

• Pasteurized
• Unsweetened
• Fortified (containing calcium and vitamin D)

However, it is important to note that almond milk does not contain all of the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. A complete, well-rounded diet is essential for optimal health.

Especially for first-time mothers, ensuring that you are getting proper nutrition while pregnant can seem overwhelming.

We are here to help simplify nutrition and help you feel confident that you are delivering the needed nutrients to your baby.

As experts in women’s health, HealthierU is dedicated to helping pregnant women achieve optimal health through holistic nutritional guidance by exploring and implementing changes to their diet, lifestyle, and mindset.

Every woman is different, and the nutrients your body is lacking can differ from the standard dietary recommendations.

At HealthierU, we look at each patient as individuals.

We use nutrition response testing to pinpoint any dietary deficiencies that you may be experiencing so that we can implement holistic nutrition practices to correct them.

Are you ready to feel confident in your nutrition and maintain optimal health?

Schedule an appointment with HealthierU today.