Some research on soy milk

Elizabeth has a slight milk sensitivity, so we've been exploring milk substitutes for her until she grows out of it. She was weaned onto vanilla soymilk, then gradually switched to the plain. She drank this very well, though it gave her horrible constipation. I had also heard about soy mimicking estrogen in the body, so I started doing some research about soy, rice, and almond milk. Here's the gist of what I found out. The sites I looked at are listed at the bottom (for anyone interested).

Soy milk:

* Cheaper of the milk substitutes
* Compared to cows milk, has equal calcium and protein, less fat, no cholesterol
* Comes in fun flavors like vanilla and chocolate (As well as plain)
- Contains a chemical that mimics estrogen (increases risk of breast cancer, powerful enough to severely alter the menstrual cycle in only 1 month, contributes to infertility, slows down the thyroid and causes weight gain)
- The soybean is generally known as unfit for human consumption unless it has been extensively fermented.

Conclusion: More risks than benefits.

Rice milk:
* Made from brown rice (generally)
* Often fortified with vitamins and minerals
* Rich in carbohydrates, no cholesterol or saturated fats
- Has more sugar
- Less protein than soy or cows milk* Not as creamy as soy or cows milk
- Slightly sweet (great for baking desserts, but not salty foods)

Conclusion: Constipation is common with rice milk. It is not generally considered an adequate milk substitute because it lacks the needed calcium to support bone growth and density. Would also cause an exponential increase of carbs in the diet.

Almond milk:
* Drastically outweighs rice milk with its nutritional benefits
* Good source of iron
* Has half the calories of rice milk
* Good source of fiber
* No known health risks (unless an individual has a nut allergy)

Conclusion: Obviously the best alternative.


We gave almond milk a try and it's instantly our favorite. They were out of the plain kind at the store, so we tried the vanilla flavor. It tasted like ice cream! A good treat, but we'll look for the unflavored kind next time.

If you're interested in more information, these sites are really helpful on the subject:

Milk Substitutes
Soy milk vs. Rice milk: Which is better for you?
Is Soy Healthy?
Which is best? Cows milk, soy milk, rice milk, almond milk?
The Dark Side of Soy
Almond milk vs. Rice milk: Which is healthier?