Experts from prestigious health and nutrition organizations have recently deemed plant-based milks, along with other beverages, as an insufficient source of nutrition for children and teenagers in the United States. The panel, which included representatives from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Heart Association, identified which drinks are healthy for kids and teens aged 5-18, and which should be consumed in moderation or avoided altogether.
While energy drinks and artificially sweetened sodas were easily recognized as unhealthy options, the panel also highlighted plant-based milks like almond, oat, and coconut milk as lacking in nutrition. This revelation has raised concerns among parents and the plant-based community.
The recommendations, released by Healthy Eating Research (HER), a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, suggest that only water and plain milk should be consumed as healthy and nutritious beverages for young people. The panel emphasized the importance of unsweetened, unflavored water as the primary source of hydration for children, with recommended daily amounts varying by age group.
For plain milk, the panel recommended unsweetened, pasteurized milk as a good source of essential nutrients like protein, calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. The report advised that if children do not consume milk, they can obtain these nutrients from dairy foods like yogurt and cheese.
The panel identified sugar-sweetened beverages, drinks with non-sugar sweeteners, and caffeinated beverages as the worst options for young people due to their negative impact on sleep, moods, and overall health. In particular, plant-based milks were scrutinized for their lack of essential nutrients compared to cow’s milk, with the exception of soy milk.
While the recommendations suggest limiting 100% juice and flavored milks, plant-based milks are only recommended as a daily option for kids and teens with specific dietary restrictions. The panel stressed that plant-based milks often lack protein, vitamin D, calcium, and other key nutrients found in cow’s milk.
In response to the recommendations, the Plant Based Foods Association argued that plant-based milks offer valuable sources of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients that support children’s health and development. Ultimately, the decision on which nutritious drinks to buy for your family should be made in consultation with a pediatrician or dietitian to ensure all dietary needs are being met. Eine neue Studie, die im Journal Nature Medicine veröffentlicht wurde, ergab, dass zuckerhaltige Getränke wie Limonade und Soda im Jahr 2020 weltweit für 2,2 Millionen neue Fälle von Typ-2-Diabetes und 1,2 Millionen neue Fälle von Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen verantwortlich waren.
Wenn es darum geht, ob Sie und Ihre Familie pflanzliche Milchalternativen trinken sollten, ist es wichtig, Ihre Hausaufgaben zu machen, indem Sie die Nährwertkennzeichnungen der Lebensmittelprodukte lesen, die Sie kaufen möchten.
Unsere Schwesterseite, Eat This, Not That!, bietet eine hilfreiche Liste der gesündesten Milchalternativen ohne Milch in Lebensmittelgeschäften bundesweit, die von Ernährungswissenschaftlern geprüft wurden. Besser für Sie geeignete pflanzliche Milchsorten haben kurze Zutatenlisten, viel Protein und wenig zugesetzten Zucker.
Die pflanzlichen Milchoptionen, die vermieden werden sollten, enthalten zugesetzten Zucker, Öle und Emulgatoren wie Gummis, die als ultra-verarbeitete Zutaten gelten. Vermeiden Sie diese zum Wohl Ihrer Familie.
Für persönlichere Empfehlungen wenden Sie sich an den Arzt Ihres Kindes oder Teenagers.