Nutrition Data for Raw Almond Milk?

[bonbon]

Hi! I'm trying to replace my ds infant formula with something else and need to know the nutritional content for raw almond milk (just a general recipe, nothing specific). I can look up the nutritional date for all of the ingredients I use in the recipe, but is that truly the contents since it is strained?

Thanks for your help, in advance. I have searched online and not had any luck (other than entering ingredients into Fitday.com).

[Veganforlife]

Almond Milk

Prep: 10 min.

4 cups raw organic almonds
4 cups spring water, or filtered water
1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. raw honey, or to taste
Blend all together in mixer until smooth. Add more water to achieve desired consistency.


Per serving: calories 885, fat 71.6g, 71% calories from fat, cholesterol 0mg, protein 29.4g, carbohydrates 34.9g, fiber 17.5g, sugar 8.4g, sodium 8mg, diet points 20.7.

Dietary Exchanges: Milk: 0.0, Vegetable: 0.0, Fruit: 0.0, Bread: 0.0, Lean meat: 4.3, Fat: 13.8, Sugar: 0.4, Very lean meat protein: 0.0

[JennaBoBenna]

since it's for an infant, you might not want to use honey to sweeten. Try a couple of dates instead :)

[raw_danceruk]

Vegan could I please bother you for the measurement for that serving? 885cal is a lot :eek:

[bonbon]

Thanks, Veganforlife, though the recipe is unclear about draining the pulp or not. I saw this recipe somewhere else (can't remember the website) and wondered if this dietary info included the pulp or not (or should I not get so wrapped around the axle about it?). Also, I was seeking other info about the milk like calcium, magnesium, etc. I don't really care about the calories for my little one, but need to meet or exceed what he's currently getting in formula.

Thanks again! :)

[Veganforlife]

True regarding the honey. Use dates instead.
I would assume not to drain it, because unless it says to drain, I usually don't.
Here's another link with some info...
http://www.dietfacts.com/html/nutrition-facts/generic-almond-milk-10188.htm

Here's some more info:

Almonds

Just a quarter cup of almonds contains nearly 25 percent of your needed daily value of the important nutrient magnesium, plus is rich in potassium, manganese, copper, the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, and calcium. In fact, a quarter cup of almonds has almost as much calcium as a quarter cup of milk.

From nutsonline.com:

http://www.nutsonline.com/images/health-nuts/nut-nutrition-chart.pdf

I KNEW if I dug deep enough I'd find something. Here you go:

NUTRITION:

In July and August of 1999 four studies, each at different medical centers, tested the DASH diet on lowering elevated blood pressure in participants. The diet includes nuts, whole grains, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy products. Each of the four studies resulted is a positive lowering of blood pressure. These studies presented conclusive evidence that just a few almonds a day can help lower blood pressure.

Almonds are high in protein, containing about 20%. One ounce contains 12% of our daily protein needs. Because almonds are a plant food, they contain no cholesterol.

Vitamin E, considered a powerful antioxidant with cancer-fighting qualities, is plentiful in almonds. They're also high in magnesium, containing even more than spinach.

Almonds are abundant in phosphorus, which is good for bones and teeth. One ounce (28 g) contains 143 mg of phosphorus. They also contain potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and trace amounts of the B vitamins thiamin and riboflavin.

Almonds are higher in calcium than all other nuts. One ounce (28 g) of raw blanched almonds contains 66 mg calcium. One ounce of almonds, approximately 20 to 25, has as much calcium as 1/4 cup (59 ml) of milk.

Almonds are also higher in fiber than any other nut. One ounce (28 g) of blanched almonds contains 1.5 g fiber. Unblanched almonds are nearly double the fiber as blanched. If you are pregnant, almonds can be a nutritious way of preventing certain birth defects because of their high folic acid content.

Although almonds, like all nuts, are high in fat, they are very low in saturated fat. One ounce (28 g) contains 15 g fat with only 1 g saturated. Most of the fat in almonds is monounsaturated, considered beneficial fat.

And finally:

In addition to healthy fats and vitamin E, a quarter-cup of almonds contains almost 99 mg of magnesium (that's 24.7% of the daily value for this important mineral), plus 257 mg of potassium.

[jah]

I am little concerned do you really mean replace? Only breastmilk is perfectly fortified for growing children and their brain development. What is the age of your son? If you are not going to breastfeed don't take him off of the formula. And this is not a scare tactic... I see this women every Saturday with her children...She decided not to breastfeed or give her child formula.. She is a rawfoodist. She didn't want her daughter to have issues with mucus. So she gave her nutmilks and green juices. Her daughter looked like a 2 week-old at 6 months and she later died of malnutrition. The mother went to jail and all her children were taken away. They have since come back together. I would definitely advise against it especially if you don't know enough about balanced nutrition. Your son's life and development requires it. As much as the people on this board mean well none of them are qualified to answer your question. If you want a fully raw and perfect balanced food for your son, it's coming right out of your nipple.

Here to Help

Jah

[LearningDaily]

Ya, I too am a little concerned.

[Nurse in the Raw]

I am little concerned do you really mean replace? Only breastmilk is perfectly fortified for growing children and their brain development. What is the age of your son? If you are not going to breastfeed don't take him off of the formula. And this is not a scare tactic... I see this women every Saturday with her children...She decided not to breastfeed or give her child formula.. She is a rawfoodist. She didn't want her daughter to have issues with mucus. So she gave her nutmilks and green juices. Her daughter looked like a 2 week-old at 6 months and she later died of malnutrition. The mother went to jail and all her children were taken away. They have since come back together. I would definitely advise against it especially if you don't know enough about balanced nutrition. Your son's life and development requires it. As much as the people on this board mean well none of them are qualified to answer your question. If you want a fully raw and perfect balanced food for your son, it's coming right out of your nipple.

Here to Help

Jah

I agree, I am a nurse and it is dangerous to take your infant off of formula. Almond milk does not have the nutritional value that infant formula has and you may cause him/her to have food allergies later in life as well as immediate weight loss. Formula is fortified with vitamins and minerals and easily digested proteins that a baby needs for proper brain, tissue and muscle development. Only breast milk is better.....nothing else! Once your baby (12 months) transitions to solid foods, then you can switch to raw foods.

[SharonC]

If unable to provide human milk to a baby, many enlightened health care providers recommend raw goats milk as it is closest to human milk and raw! I believe with a few things added - would need to research to find this information. I know of a legal raw goat milk family farm close to me that has a waiting list for new customers, but Moms who are not able to breast feed do not have to wait.

[spicyfull]

How Old is this Infant.......Under 6 month? If so Let the Baby Enjoy the Mother's Milk. Sometimes Mother knows Best.........

[bonbon]

Hi everyone! thanks for all of the info! I know full well about how important nutrition is for growing babies - that's why I am so interested in knowing the exact nutritional content of almond milk vice "oh, almond milk is so good for you!" Problem is, there is no one place where this information is available. I understand the content for 1 cup of nuts, but can't really figure out content for drained milk without the pulp (most of the really good recipes require draining).

As far as the replacement for formula, sorry to freak everyone out. I'm looking to TRANSITION to something else. My ds is 9 months old and he's been supplemented with organic infant soy formula since 1.5 months (or rather I've been supplementing him with breast milk since 1.5 months - i didn't produce enough despite all of the green smoothies in the universe, several lactation consultants, donated breastmilk, drugs, etc.!). My son has been eating solids since about 4 months, and I am introducing a new food every 4 days or so (he's a vegetarian right now; his raw food consists of fruits, almonds and tahini).

What prompted me wanting to transition from formula is at the 9-month checkup, it was determined that my ds is low in iron and the dr. wanted me to give him a supplement of 10mg (the RDA). Checking to see how much iron was in his formula (about 10mg for the amt. he drinks), I noticed that the first ingredient of the formula is organic corn syrup and I freaked out!!! Don't worry, he's still getting his 4 bottles a day because I am still not sure what to do yet. I really hate giving it to him because I am so careful about what I feed him, ESPECIALLY since I'm not able to give him all the breastmilk he needs. And the thought of giving him yet another synthetic supplement doesn't sit right with me either, especially if he's already getting 10mg of iron. I'd rather not tax his liver too much, if that's possible, and would prefer he get extra iron from whole foods. Other than the iron thing, he is the epitome of normal baby health (50th percentile all around).

So, needless to say, now I am more confused than ever and I hope I have not given any mother the impression that formula is bad and she should stop feeding her baby! I'd just like to find other options that are as, if not more nutritious (than organic corn syrup!). I know there are other beneficial vitamins/minerals/DHA etc. in formula, but it's never seemed right that I make all of my family's meals and most of my baby's and yet the rest of his meals come from a can??? AND what am I to do when we go in for the one year checkup and they start discussing the introduction of Whole Cow's Milk??? So, I'm trying to do as much research as I can now and make sure I am feeding him the right amounts of the right things.

As far as almond milk not having the nutritional value of formula, well this is exactly what I am trying to find out to know for sure! Unfortuantely, I have not yet found this data (despite all the great work VeganforLife did!! We are all smarter about almonds!! I am convinced that almond milk is superior, but still do not have the hard numbers for a drained almond milk. Does this exist anywhere?). I also have the Rainbow Live Food Cuisine Book by Gabriel Cousens -AND- Baby Greens by Lynn & Chrisemer and both suggest almond milk (also raw goat milk) as a stand-in for breast milk if not available. Also, why would the introduction of almond milk possibly cause food allergies later in life? Is it because of possible malnutrition if my baby has all almond milk in place of formula?

Thanks for your support and help. Thanks SharonC for the goat milk advice. I've looked into it here in Maryland and it's not possible at this time. Any more suggestions or comments are welcome and if anyone knows of any raw food nutritionist who actually has nutritional data for drained raw milk (minus almond pulp), please let me know! :)

[crawmommy]

try truestarhealth.com

[luckitri]

Yes we do the best with what we have. I have a sister who expressed large amounts of milk daily until well into menopause. Me, I could not breast feed and really felt like I missed out.

Here is a child raised on barley water:

http://omg.yahoo.com/suris-upbringing:-scientology-means-tom-and-katie-dont-say-no/news/3182;_ylt=Aqkhc7HzhhiDRQ>

She looks healthy to me and being in the public eye I am sure someone will be quick to criticize if they notice a problem - well then again, we are talking about the Church of Scientology here - mmmmm.....maybe not.

OK I can't figure out what I did wrong but it is on that site.

Also, best wishes to you bonbon, I have seen some stubborn babies that refused to switch!

[juliebove]

The Dr. may not push whole cow's milk or any kind of milk at age 1. Once the baby is weaned, no milk is necessary, IMO. I would worry about giving almonds in any form to a child under a year. Normally they do not recommend giving of nuts because this can cause allergies. I'm not sure I would even give almond milk at a year.

I'm pretty sure all the forumlas out there contain corn syrup. If he is low in iron, it *could* be a food allergy.

I wasn't able to produce enough milk so I had to supplement my daughter. Problem is, she had trouble with everything I gave her. Threw it right back up. She remained underweight until I began giving her real food. Then she put on some.

At a year, I took her off of the formula and she finally started to gain more to the point of being a bit overweight. The Dr. then told me to limit the amount of juice I gave her as well as limiting milk and keeping it at 2%. She had me give her no nuts whatever and cut back on the fat. Emphasis on whole foods only.

At age 4, she was diagnosed with low iron but no cause was found. Then at age 6 we learned of her food allergies. Dairy, soy, wheat, gluten, peanuts, bananas, and eggs. Pretty much all the foods I'd been giving her. One of her favorites was a whole wheat tortilla spread with peanut butter and jelly and wrapped around a banana.

Anyway... I'd rethink the almonds until after he's a year old.

[bonbon]

Thanks for all of the responses. i really appreciate it and I'll continue my research and keep you posted! I know that breastmilk is best, i just wish I had more of it! :) Maybe it will be different with my next baby? I wasn't 100% raw this time.

Have a great day! :)

[jah]

Have you taken any herbs to bring in your milk? Like Fennel and there is this really good herb supplement called Mother's Milk that aids in milk production. How long did you try to breastfeed after the baby was born?