Almond Milk During Pregnancy – Benefits, Side Effects, and Precautions

A child grows inside your body for nine months, sharing resources, food, and nutrients with you. To ensure that the child growing inside your womb receives the most healthy nutrition possible, you must consume only nutritious meals and beverages while you are pregnant. Your child’s development and your well-being during and after your pregnancy are all dependent on a well-balanced diet during and after pregnancy. Milk is an absolute necessity during pregnancy because it contains all of the vitamins you require to have a healthy pregnancy. To maintain a healthy weight, you should drink a glass of milk every day in addition to eating nutritious fruits and vegetables, as well as cereals, and other meals, as prescribed.

However, if you are lactose intolerant, you may be wondering what almonds and almond milk can do for you during your pregnancy. Or a simple question might strike you anyways – Is almond milk good for pregnancy? With so many options for cow milk substitutes in the market, how would you know whether or not almond milk is good for you?

Generally consumed as a substitute for cow’s milk, the benefits of the beverage should not be overlooked or underestimated. Almond milk is high in calcium, protein, iron, and vitamins A, E, B, and D, along with low quantities of fat and cholesterol. The vitamins and minerals present may also benefit the proper functioning of your organs if consumed in controlled amounts.

According to research, pregnant women who drink almond milk may have a lower risk of developing pregnancy-related complications than those who do not. Nonetheless, please keep reading to become aware of any potential side effects or risks associated with this milk and the specific characteristics of the milk that are associated with it before consuming it.

How Many Calories Are There in Almond Milk?

Almond milk may benefit people trying to lose weight because it contains half the calories found in cow’s milk. In addition, because it is not derived from animals, it does not contain cholesterol or other fats found in other foods. You must follow a comprehensive healthy eating plan for this strategy to be effective. The mineral content varies depending on the type of almond used, but it generally contains minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamin B2, among others.

An 8-ounce (a single cup) helping of sugar-less almond milk has:

• 40 calorie intake and is high in protein;
• One gram of protein per serving;
• Three grams of fat

Benefits of Almond Milk During Pregnancy

If you are expecting a child, you have most likely heard about the nutritional benefits of almonds while you are pregnant. The protein content of almonds is high, making them an excellent choice for a growing infant. By consuming the milk yourself, you are sending the nutrients to your child, ensuring your health during pregnancy, and ensuring a healthy baby after delivery as well.

As well as essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that are beneficial in the prevention of illness and illness prevention, almonds contain antioxidants that are beneficial in the prevention of illness. For pregnant women, the fact that it is low in fat and calories while being high in nutrients essential for optimum health is the primary reason eating this excellent dried fruit or drinking the milk is a wise choice.

The following are just a few of the numerous benefits of consuming almond milk while expecting a child:

1. Nutritional Antioxidants

Almond milk contains a high concentration of vitamin E, which, as an antioxidant, can help pregnant women reduce the adverse effects of oxidative stress on their developing bodies.

2. A Healthier Heart

An essential component of this meal’s nutritional profile is a small amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial in maintaining cardiovascular fitness.

3. Beneficial for Bone Strength

Almond milk is a high-quality calcium source. It will aid you in meeting your increased calcium requirements while also preserving the strength and stamina of your bone tissues.

4. Prevents High Blood Pressure

Given the risk of preeclampsia, a medical emergency during pregnancy, hypertension is a significant concern during this period. Apart from that, magnesium is present in almond milk, which is beneficial in maintaining normal blood pressure levels, making almond milk safe during pregnancy.

5. Manage Gestational Diabetes (GDM)

Given their low glucose tolerance index (GI), almonds are an excellent choice for pregnant women who want to keep their blood glucose levels under control.

6. An Excellent Option for Vegans

It is a perfect substitute for dairy products; almond milk is a great choice if you’ve decided to go vegan and aren’t eating dairy products. It can be consumed as milk, blended into milkshakes, or used as a base for dishes such as broths and soups, among other applications.

7. Better Skin

The presence of vitamin E in almond milk can help keep your skin looking young and healthy by preventing blemishes and hyperpigmentation and encouraging collagen production.

8. Extended shelf-life

In general, almond milk has a long shelf life and does not need to be refrigerated unless necessary. Thus, it becomes an excellent and more convenient option to have with you when traveling, in addition to working and waiting for scans, tests, or other treatment procedures.

9. Keep Blood Glucose Levels Under Control

Almond milk is great for keeping blood sugar levels in check during pregnancy. Since pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes, one glass of sugar-free almond milk is beneficial since it only has a few calories and minimal necessary carbohydrates. Due to its low GI, it is an excellent choice for people who want to maintain a consistent blood sugar level.

10. Prevents the occurrence of Osteoporosis

Calcium-fortified almond milk aids in the preservation of healthy bone fragments and strengthening of bones, leading to increased health of the pregnant mother and keeping Osteoporosis at bay.‍

Side Effects of Drinking Almond Milk in Pregnancy

The consumption of any products labeled as “almond milk” is not recommended at this time. Even more concerning when you are pregnant because these products can cause significant harm to the developing embryo of your unborn child. Even though most women have no problems with this type of milk, a small number of women experience unpleasant side effects due to their consumption. It is unlikely that eating a small number of almonds regularly would have any negative consequences.

Listed below are some of the most frequently reported drawbacks of almond milk by to-be mothers, in no particular order:

1. Digestive Issues

Excessive almonds can result in digestive issues such as nausea, stomach discomfort, dysentery, and bowel problems if you consume an excessive amount of essential nutrients and minerals.

2. Fat accumulation and obesity

According to the researchers, this can lead to fat accumulation and the development of obesity. Obesity during pregnancy can give rise to a host of other issues, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, a high BP, and a higher potential for congenital disabilities.

3. Severe gastrointestinal reactions

The fact that it can interact with your medications can result in severe gastrointestinal reactions in some people.

4. Hypersensitivity

When almonds are consumed without first soaking them overnight, they may develop a hypersensitivity.

5. Inadequate Health supplement

Consumption of more than ten to twenty almonds per day is considered inadequate for your body’s requirements and may negatively affect health.

6. Fatigue and weakness

While almond milk is low in calories, drinking it during pregnancy may result in fatigue. This is a significant drawback of having almond milk since the pregnant mother will have considerably less energy to care for herself and the child.

7. Possible nut allergy

Since almond milk contains nuts, it is not a good choice if you have a nut allergy. When you expect a child, you may experience an allergic reaction, which can be extremely dangerous.

8. Impact the Thyroid gland

Due to its goitrogenic nature, almonds can impair thyroid gland function by interfering with thyroid hormone production. Thus, you must refrain from consuming almond milk until your condition improves unless you already have hyperthyroidism, in which case you must continue to do so.

Precautions to Be Taken While Drinking Almond Milk When Pregnant

Despite the benefits, there are many debates regarding if almond milk is okay to consume during pregnancy. While drinking almond milk during pregnancy may be beneficial, there are a few precautions and tips to keep in mind as you go about your day-to-day activities. Such as:

• It is helpful to consume dairy products, such as yogurt, as a mid-afternoon snack because it helps you feel fuller for a more extended time.
• Pouring milk on top of your porridge before eating it will help it to become more filling.
• Salads and sandwiches are made even better with cheddar that has almost no fat at all.
• It is preferable to avoid unpasteurized milk and dairy products made from unpasteurized milk.

Tips for Purchasing Almond Milk

In addition to almonds and other healthy fats, nuts such as walnuts, canola, sesame, and other seeds and raw nuts and natural oils are recommended for pregnant women to eat in a well-balanced prenatal diet. Almonds and other healthy fats should only be consumed in moderation, according to the American Heart Association. Although saturated fats are essential for good health, consuming too much of them, even in moderation, can be detrimental.

Whenever you consume raw almonds or almond milk, it is critical to read the labels and make your own decisions, even if there are no known risks of high blood pressure or low cholesterol as a result of doing so. Because of its high-fat content, which is comparable to olive oil, it is an excellent addition to any pregnant woman’s diet.

Keeping a healthy pregnancy state is simple, and you can achieve it by consuming meals from each of the nine dietary groups daily, which is simple to do. Before you go out and buy almond milk, you should consider the following considerations:

• Make sure to choose watery fruits and vegetables to keep your sugar intake to an absolute minimum.
• Whenever possible, choose a non-GMO or organic option to save money.
• Make sure you’re getting a product with fewer additives than the competition by checking the nutrition label.
• One more option is making your own almond milk from scratch with ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

How to Prepare Almond Milk at Home?

As an alternative to purchasing almond milk from a store, you can make your almond milk at home, free of any artificial ingredients, and can be consumed after it has been prepared. Having the following items on hand is necessary:

What You Will Need

• 1 cup finely chopped almonds
• 2 cups boiling water
• A fine mesh strainer

Instructions

• Soak the almonds overnight or for at least 8-10 hours before using them to prevent them from turning brown. The longer they are soaked, the greater the amount of milk that is produced by the beans.
• Remove the almonds from the water with care and gently wash them with a damp cloth.
• Remove the skins from the tomatoes and pulse them in a food processor with the remaining ingredients until they are entirely smooth.
• Pour in two glasses of water and turn the mixer on high for two minutes after you’ve finished adding them.
• Squeezing the almonds will release the milk that has been stored within them.

Almond milk, when consumed in moderation, provides several health benefits. All of these nutrients, as well as cacao and protein, are essential for your child’s proper development. Almond milk is a good source of these nutrients. Its low-fat content makes it a more nutritious alternative to soy and other milk substitutes that contain a high number of empty calories. There are numerous ways to keep your health in good shape, and drinking almond milk regularly during your pregnancy is one of them.

FAQ’s

1. Can Pregnant Women Drink Unpasteurized Raw Almond Milk?

It can be difficult to determine which foods are safe to consume during pregnancy and childbirth, especially when it comes to prenatal nutrition. When traditional products such as coffee and shellfish appear to have been phased out, this is especially important to consider. The answer is a resounding yes in every way! It is completely safe for women to consume unpasteurized almond milk during pregnancy, and it has numerous additional benefits.

2. Is Almond Milk Good For Early Pregnancy?

It is recommended that you drink almond milk while pregnant to ensure that you get all of the essential nutrients into your diet consistently. This is since almond milk contains vital vitamins and minerals necessary for the growth and development of your child.

Also Read:

Drinking Soft Drink while Pregnant
Consuming Buttermilk during Pregnancy
Is It Safe to Drink Turmeric Milk while Pregnant?