Who Should Not Drink Almond Milk
Babies
As almond milk rises in popularity, more and more parents are giving it to their infants. Studies have shown that this can be quite dangerous. In a 2014 study in the French journal Archives of Pediatrics, infants who were given plant-based milks between ages 4 and 14 months showed signs of protein-calorie malnutrition, edema, hypoalbuminemia , iron deficiency anemia, low growth rate, vitamin D deficiencies and several other problems. The article recommends statutory measures forbidding plant-based milks for young infants.
Tree nut allergy-sufferers
Almond milk may not contain a lot of almonds, but its enough to set off serious allergy attacks for those with almond allergies. An almond allergy is typically grouped with a tree nut allergy , and is usually severe. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, tree nut allergies are among the allergies most likely to cause anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms of an almond allergy include abdominal pain, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, nasal congestion or a runny nose, nausea, shortness of breath and itching.
Is Milk Chocolate Good For You
It’s something that many of us really want to be true. Sadly, milk chocolate is generally not regarded as a part of a healthy diet.
But is it all bad news for milk chocolate eaters? Our experts have taken a look at what your favourite sweet treat does to your body to see if there is any good news to cling onto.
Almond Milk Nutritional Breakdown
Theres no one way to formulate almond milk. And because of that, the nutritional breakdown of almond milk is different for each product. Overall, though, the protein and carb contents in unsweetened almond milk are quite low per cup, so the main macronutrient youre getting is healthful fat. But that can vary widely from product to product, depending on how many almonds a particular milk contains . In other words, some products contain more almonds than others, which is one factor that impacts the drinks potential health benefits.
For perspective, an 8-ounce portion of Elmhurts unsweetened almond milk provides 11 grams of good fat, 5 grams of plant protein, and just 3 grams of carbohydrate, with no added sugar. A 1-cup serving provides 6% of the daily value for iron and 4% for potassium.
Of course, thats just one product example. The simplest unsweetened versions contain just two ingredients: water and almonds. But if a product is fortified , the vitamin and mineral content of almond milk can vary considerably.
Some almond milk brands are fortified with calcium, which can bump up the minerals daily value to meet or exceed the amount found in cows milk. If theyve been put into a products formulation, vitamins D and B12 are other nutrients you may find in higher amounts in almond milk.
In addition, some companies add protein to almond milk, primarily pea protein, sourced from yellow split peas. Whether these products still qualify as almond milk is up for debate.
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It’s Very High In Calories
There are about 535 calories in 100g of milk chocolate. While this compares favourably to dark and white chocolate, it’s still a hefty amount.
Consider that UK health guidelines recommend a daily calorie intake of 2,500 for men and 2,000 for women. That 100g of chocolate takes care of anything between 20-25% of your daily calories before you’ve eaten a proper meal. That’s not a habit you want to get into.
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Does Chocolate Milk Enhance Recovery From Exercise
Due to its provision of protein, sugars, and electrolyte minerals, chocolate milk has been positioned as a post-workout recovery drink in recent years.
In this regard, numerous studies have concluded that chocolate milk may improve exercise recovery compared to regular water or carbohydrate-based recovery drinks .
However, while encouraging studies on chocolate milk and recovery do exist, it is essential to look at the totality and strength of that evidence.
The current most substantial level of evidence lies in a 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis that analyzed the findings from twelve randomized controlled trials .
On the positive side, this review did find that chocolate milk âprovides either similar or superior resultsâ compared to other recovery drinks.
Conversely, although chocolate milk slightly improved performance measures such as âtime to exhaustionâ and heart rate, the results were not statistically significant.
It is also worth noting that the dairy industry funded several of the trials on chocolate milk. However, while the funding sources of a study are worth bearing in mind, they are not a reason to discard research findings after all, all research requires funding from somewhere.
Finally, the authors noted that the existing evidence base is limited and that higher-quality human trials with larger participant numbers are necessary.
Key Point:
There’s Not As Much Cocoa
It’s cocoa that provides the health benefits associated with chocolate, so when there’s less cocoa, the health benefits aren’t the same. Cocoa powder actually has quite a bitter finish, which is why dark chocolate isn’t to everyone’s taste.
Milk chocolate such as Dairy Milk tends to contain around 25% cocoa solids, compared with a minimum of 35% required in dark chocolate. Many of the most popular commercial dark chocolate bars are between 70-85% cocoa. Milk chocolate can’t get near this.
In 2012, one study experimented with adding ground peanut skins to the chocolate mixture in an effort to raise the antioxidant profile. Researchers found that test subjects were unable to notice the difference.
However, it’s not a strategy that’s been adopted by commercial chocolate manufacturers.
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Nutrition For Infant Mammals
In almost all mammals, milk is fed to infants through breastfeeding, either directly or by expressing the milk to be stored and consumed later. The early milk from mammals is called colostrum. Colostrum contains antibodies that provide protection to the newborn baby as well as nutrients and growth factors. The makeup of the colostrum and the period of secretion varies from species to species.
For humans, the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and breastfeeding in addition to other food for up to two years of age or more. In some cultures it is common to breastfeed children for three to five years, and the period may be longer.
Fresh goatsâ milk is sometimes substituted for breast milk, which introduces the risk of the child developing electrolyte imbalances, metabolic acidosis, megaloblastic anemia, and a host of allergic reactions.
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The Health Benefits Of Chocolate Milk You Might Not Realize
Chocolate milk is a childhood favorite that we often carry with us throughout our adult lives. But did you know that there are many health benefits of chocolate milk that we can gain from indulging in this delicious beverage?
Thats right! Chocolate milk isnt just for children. There are tons of hidden benefits in chocolate milk that we could use at any stage in our lives.
Its more than just a treat for your chocolate cravings. Drinking your favorite thirst quencher is about keeping your body and mind on track to a happy and healthy future.
Did we mention that its also delicious?
Check out the health benefits of chocolate milk and everything it can do for you. Youll be craving a fresh glass by the time youre done reading!
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Facts About Regular Milk
1. Linked To CancerStudies have shown that the consumption of cows milk stimulates cancer cells, specifically linked with prostate cancer and ovarian cancers.
2. NutritionCows milk does provide a pretty impressive amount of nutritional value. One of the biggest dietary benefits is calcium. Calcium is very plentiful in cows milk, with 305 milligrams in just one cup. Calcium is very important for bone health, blood health, and our teeth. Choline is also found in cows milk, which is a nutrient that helps with memory, muscle development, and sleep.
3. Lactose IntoleranceLactose, which is what milk is made up of, is the most common food allergy in the world. Majority of peoples digestive systems are not able to digest lactose properly, causing upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
4. Not Meant For HumansMany people argue that cows milk is not designed for human consumption, but intended for the rapid growth of calves. This fact is supported with the evidence linking milk to serious health issues in humans. Obesity is thought to be such a problem in todays world because we are raised from birth to drink plenty of milk.
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How Important Is Milk In Your Diet
It contains essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, B vitamins, potassium, and vitamin D. It’s also a good source of protein. Drinking milk and dairy products may help you avoid osteoporosis and bone fractures, as well as maintain a healthy weight. The type of milk you drink will affect how much calcium you get-regular milk isn’t the only option. Try soy or almond milk instead-they’re rich in nutrients too.
In addition to being a nutritious beverage on its own, milk can be used to flavor other foods. You can add a bit of milk to your cereal or eat it by itself with a spoon. You can even use milk as a cooking liquid-it helps release more nutrients from vegetables and beans when you boil them in water with some salt and the last bits of their sugar content. This is called “milk-boiling” and it’s a great way to get extra nutrition without adding many additional calories.
Finally, milk has been shown to improve cognitive function and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have also indicated that people who drink less than three servings of milk a week are likely to develop dementia later in life. This shows that there are many ways in which milk plays an important role in maintaining health and preventing illness.
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So Almond Milk Vs Cow Milk: Which One Is Healthier
Cows milk is one of the original superfoods and is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. With a natural balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fats, as well as over 15 essential nutrients, cow milk is an incredibly healthy choice. For those who cannot consume or choose not to consume cows milk, almond milk is a good plant-based alternative. Compared to cows milk, almond milk is lower in protein, fat and carbohydrates, and micronutrients, largely due to the fact that water is the primary ingredient.
Are Fancy Recovery Powders And Beverages Better Than Milk
Not necessarily. While they are almost always more expensive than milk, some products contain more than you bargained for, including caffeine, herbs, mega doses of vitamins and even contaminants such as melamine and lead. If you find that your athlete prefers supplement beverages, be sure to read the label and choose wisely.
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What Is Almond Milk
Almond milk is plant-based and made by grinding almonds into a pulp. The pulp is mixed with water and then strained. Almond milk is consumable by vegans and is naturally lactose-free.
Even though almonds are a good source of protein, almond milk is not. A cup of unsweetened almond milk has about 1 gram of protein compared to 8 grams of protein per cup of cowâs milk. But on the plus side, almond milk is much lower in calories and sugar compared to cowâs milk and contains very little saturated fat.
Itâs a good source of vitamin A and potassium and is often fortified to be a good source of vitamin D. Almond milk naturally has calcium and is also fortified with it, which makes it substantially higher in calcium per serving than cowâs milk.
Almond Milk Nutrition Facts And Health Benefits
Willow Jarosh is a registered dietitian and nutrition coach specializing in intuitive eating. She is the author of Healthy, Happy Pregnancy Cookbook.
Almond milk is considered a healthy food by many because the beverage is made from almonds, a highly regarded superfood. But there are ingredients other than almonds in many brands of almond milk, and several different kinds that you can buy. Each variety provides slightly different nutrients and health benefits.
But typically, almond milk is low in carbohydrates, calories, and fat, and provides some protein. It also offers vitamin E and, when fortified, provides calcium.
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Is Chocolate Milk Good For Runners
The nutritional needs of runners and other athletes are somewhat different than for the general population. Running burns a lot of calories and requires a higher dietary intake of carbohydrates for vigorous workouts.
Although the higher sugar content in chocolate milk may be unhealthy for sedentary individuals, this is usually less problematic, and potentially even beneficial for endurance athletes and runners.
Much like sports drinks, energy gels, dried fruit, and energy chews provide the easily-digestible carbohydrates runners need before and during exercise, the simple sugars in chocolate milk can be helpful, rather than potentially harmful, to runners.
Nutritionists probably wouldnt recommend drinking sports drinks over water to someone who sits at a desk all day, though sports drinks have their merit for a runner before, during, or after a long run or race.
Similarly, the sugar content in chocolate milk can actually be beneficial to runners as part of the carbohydrate fueling strategy before or after a run.
All this is to say, chocolate milk can be a healthy drink for runners, particularly because it has many health benefits and the downsides of the sugar content are minimized if not negated.
Running is a high-impact activity, so bones are placed under a tremendous amount of repetitive stress. The calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus in chocolate milk can support healthy bones and reduce the risk of stress fractures in runners.
Health Benefits Of Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk is considered a complete source of protein because it contains all nine essential amino acids. This is one of the reasons it is often used as an effective recovery drink for athletes.
Protein helps rebuild and repair muscles manufacture new cells, proteins, and enzymes and carry out metabolic processes.
Chocolate milk is rich in several key vitamins and minerals, particularly those that maintain bone health.
A one-cup glass of chocolate milk typically provides 28-30% of the RDI, or recommended dietary intake, of calcium, a key mineral for healthy bones and teeth and muscle contraction. The calcium in milk is said to be highly absorbable, compared to calcium in vegetables, legumes, and many other non-dairy sources.
It also provides 25% of the RDI of vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a steroid hormone in the body and is crucial in bone health.
Chocolate milk also provides 25% of the RDI of phosphorus and 24% of the RDI of riboflavin, along with some zinc, selenium, iodine, magnesium, and vitamins A, B1, B6, B12.
So, what are your thoughts so far? Is chocolate milk good for you?
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Skim Milk Vs Whole Milk
Skim milk became popular in the U.S. in the 1980s, when people began paying more attention to the amount of fat in their diets. Many thought that the more fat you ate, the more fat your body would store, making you gain weight.
Nonfat milk has become a popular choice because it is lower in fat and calories than whole milk. Whole milk has a bad reputation because it has more saturated fat and may raise cholesterol.
There are two kinds of cholesterol: LDL, the bad cholesterol, and HDL, the good cholesterol. When you drink whole milk, your LDL goes up more than if you drank skim milk. But the saturated fats in whole milk and dairy products also raise your levels of HDL.
Experts recommend getting fewer than 20 grams of saturated fats each day, which is why many people avoid whole milk and opt for skim. Also, the fats in whole milk arent the healthy fats that are in products like:
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It Provides Plenty Of Micronutrients
Understandably, a lot of the discussion around milk chocolate focuses on fat and sugar content, but it’s also packing plenty of nutrients that important for a healthy body.
Given that it’s made with milk, it won’t surprise you to learn that milk chocolate contains plenty of calcium. You’ll also get small amounts of iron, potassium, zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin K.
Can you get these important nutrients elsewhere? Of course you can, but assuming you don’t plan on cutting chocolate out of your life any time soon, it’s nice to know that it isn’t completely nutritionally empty.
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What Types & How Much Vitamin D Is In Milk
Most milk sold at retail in the U.S. contains vitamin D. Because few foods naturally contain vitamin D, it can be added in specified amounts to foods like milk, yogurt and many cheeses to help people meet dietary recommendations.. Vitamin D fortified milk must contain at least 100 International Units and up to a maximum of 150 IU vitamin D per eight-ounce serving per national milk standards.
