Almond milk is not a recent discovery. People in the middle ages enjoyed their almond milk and preferred drinking it to consuming cow’s milk. But is almond milk safe for consumption during pregnancy?
When you are pregnant, you to need think twice before experimenting with what you eat and drink. So, it makes sense to find out all about almond milk before adding it to your pregnancy diet!
Benefits Of Consuming Almond Milk During Pregnancy:
If you are looking for reasons to up your almond milk consumption, here are some of them:
1. High On Antioxidants:
Almond milk contains vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties. It can help prevent oxidative stress that comes with the wear and tear of pregnancy.
2. Keeps The Heart Healthy:
Almond milk contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which helps to keep the heart healthy .
3. Rich Source Of Vitamins And Minerals:
If you are looking for an alternative to cow’s milk, almond milk will be a healthy choice. Almond milk is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals like:
- Calcium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
4. Great Option For Vegans:
If you are a vegan, almond milk is the drink for you! It contains no animal by-products and will fit right in with your vegan pregnancy diet.
5. Good For Bone Health:
Your bones need extra nutrition when you are pregnant. That is why you need a calcium-rich diet during pregnancy . Almond milk is a great source of calcium and will help keep your bones healthy and strong.
6. Prevents High Blood Pressure:
High blood pressure is a serious concern during pregnancy as it can lead to preeclampsia. The calcium in almond milk can go a long way in keeping your blood pressure levels under control.
7. Helps Manage Gestational Diabetes (GD):
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence rate of gestational diabetes is about 9.2% ! If you too have gestational diabetes, you should give almond milk a try. It contains ‘good’ sugar that does not impact the body negatively and can help manage GD better.
8. Easy To Store:
One of the biggest benefits of almond milk is that you do not need a refrigerator to store it! Unlike cow’s milk, almond milk has a long shelf life. If you are planning to travel long distance while pregnant, almond milk will be a must carry.
9. Keeps Your Skin Healthy:
It is common to experience skin problems during pregnancy . The vitamin E present in almond milk can help cure the acne and pigmentation and make your skin healthy and radiant.
So, these were some of the reasons why almond milk will make a great addition to your pregnancy diet. But there’s more to the story than meets the eye!
Side Effects Of Drinking Almond Milk While Pregnant:
Almond milk and pregnancy always don’t go hand in hand.Some of the reasons why almond milk may not work for you include:
1. Low In Fat And Calories:
Almond milk is low in calories, and drinking it can make you feel weak during pregnancy. Almond milk also has lesser fat in comparison with soy milk.
2. Can Cause Allergy:
If you are allergic to nuts, almond milk won’t be a safe option for you. You can end up suffering from an allergic reaction, which can prove dangerous when you are pregnant.
3. Can Harm The Thyroid Gland:
Almond is a goitrogen, which means that it can suppress the functioning of the thyroid gland. If you are already suffering from a thyroid dysfunction, you should avoid drinking almond milk.
As you can see, the pros of consuming almond milk far outweigh the cons. But do talk to your health care provider before you start drinking almond milk. If he gives you a green signal, you can go ahead and make this yummy beverage a part of your daily menu!
Credits:Momjunction
