10 Best Milk & Milk Alternatives For Pregnancy in 2023
It’s critical to eat well and provide your body with the right nutrition throughout your pregnancy. Some healthy choices include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, non-fat or low-fat dairy products. However, it’s a tough task when you’re trying to avoid dairy milk because of lactose intolerant or milk allergies. Because not just easily available, cow’s milk is one of the healthiest milk kinds experts recommend for pregnant women.
Therefore, the majority of women find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to choosing milk alternatives during pregnancy. The good news is alternative milk can also be a good resort to meet the nutritional needs of you and your developing baby.
If you’re wondering whether it is the right decision to try milk alternatives during pregnancy or which type is best, you have come to the right place. We’ve rounded up all the questions you might have and the best possible answers to ease the cloud of confusion in your head.
Milk & Milk Alternatives for Pregnancy
Our Top 3 Picks
Best Almond Milk for Pregnancy: Silk Almond Milk
Is almond milk good for pregnancy? Well, rich in vitamin A and calcium, almond milk can be a good substitute for dairy milk during pregnancy. Free from dairy, lactose, and casein, Silk has probably the best almond milk for pregnant women on the market.
First of all, the ready-to-drink almond milk has a smooth, thick texture like real milk. Though it contains lower protein content than cow’s milk, it is rich in calcium, vitamin E, and vitamin D. To ramp up your protein intake, you can try it with a pregnancy-safe protein shake.Â
You can indulge yourself in the natural unsweetened vanilla flavor that is unsweetened yet tastes great. This delicious goodness offers thirty calories per serving to keep you energized for quite some time. Also, know there isn’t any cholesterol or saturated fat per serving.
Thanks to the soy-, dairy- and gluten-free formula, you are less likely to have allergic reactions. As the milk has a longer shelf life, it can be your best bet during pregnancy and beyond.
Pros
- Easy to prepare
- Unsweetened yet tastes great
- No artificial color or additives
- Higher calcium consent than regular milk
- A safe alternative to other dairy and soy products
Cons
- Not as nutritious as real milk
Best Oat Milk for Pregnancy: Califia Farms Oat Milk
Oat milk, a good source of vitamins and minerals, is another dairy milk alternative for pregnant women. Unlike almond milk, oat milk has a rich, smooth taste whiteout any weird aftertaste. Plus, the creamy texture of oat milk is great for pairing with your favorite coffee or shakes.
Califia Farms has a popular milk line trusted by many expecting mothers. Made out of whole roll oats, Califia Farms Oat Milk is purely plant-based. So be assured that it has no nuts, dairy, gluten, soy, or GMO products.
Consisting of an unsweetened blend of oat milk, sunflower oil, and sea salt, this popular oat milk barista blend comes in a package of six to last for several days. One main advantage is that it has a longer shelf life than many milk products. Therefore, you’ll not have trouble with storage.
Additionally, you’ll be happy to know that this oat milk doesn’t contain stabilizers as well as gums.
Pros
- Tastes great
- No weird aftertaste
- Free of most allergens, gluten, or nut
- Doesn’t contain artificial milk additivesÂ
Cons
- A little pricier
Best Coconut Milk for Pregnancy: KOS Organic Coconut Milk Powder
Pregnant or not, coconut milk is safe yet beneficial in many ways. As coconut is rich in iron and vitamin D, coconut milk can be a healthy substitute for dairy-based creamers.
There are numerous cravings during pregnancy. Whether you are looking to add a little coconutty flavor to your morning smoothies or use something sugar-free as a coffee creamer, look no further than this KOS Organic Coconut Milk Powder. No fillers, sweeteners, or artificial additives; this organic coconut milk powder has only one ingredient that is organic coconut milk.
Since pregnant women require more iron nutrients for the growing baby and placenta, the high iron content in this organic coconut milk can help minimize the chance of iron deficiency.
With no dairy, gluten, or soy, this plant-based milk product will not cause any allergies. So you can have peace of mind when you want to add a fun creamy touch to your favorite coffee or tea during pregnancy.
Pros
- All plant-based formula
- Easy to dissolve in water
- Doesn’t contain fillers, gluten, soy, or additives
- A good source of iron content for pregnant women
Cons
- A sweet but strong nutty flavor
Milk & Milk Alternatives for Pregnancy
Rated Highly by Parents and Experts
Silk Shelf-Stable Soy Milk
Though the consumption of soy milk has decreased in recent times, it is still one of the closest alternatives for cow’s milk. That’s because it contains the highest amount of protein per serving compared to other milk alternatives. So it’s hard to ignore the nutritional value of soy milk for pregnant women.
We like the flavor and texture of Silk Soy Milk. This one is premium quality soy milk derived from whole-harvested soybeans. Silk claims that it is a powerhouse of nutritional goodness since it contains soy protein, calcium, and a vitamin-mineral blend, which are essential for a healthy pregnancy.
Even better, Silk Soy Milk is free of dairy, casein, gluten, peanut, artificial colors, and flavors. Not economical, but its 6 pack box is surely a good deal for the price.
Pros
- Dairy and gluten-free
- Fully plant-based formula
- Compact and nice packaging
- Rich in nutrients and minerals
- Doesn’t artificial colors or flavors
Cons
- Not so affordableÂ
Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Flavor Hot Cocoa Mix
You are craving chocolate like crazy. Then you remember that you are pregnant and should avoid excessive caffeine and fat intake. You aren’t alone.
It is a common struggle for many pregnant women. But the good news is you can try the healthier alternatives of chocolate like chocolate milk. Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix has been the go-to milk powder for most hot chocolate lovers. The rich, creamy blend of premium cocoa and nonfat milk tastes delicious and offers 160 calories per serving. Note that the amount of caffeine and fat content present in most chocolate milk is pretty negligible.
You can enjoy peace of mind knowing that it is free from gluten, artificial sweeteners and preservatives.
Pros
- Gluten-free
Reasonably priced - Rich, creamy flavor
- Made with premium quality ingredients
Cons
- Not dairy-free
Judee’s Whole Milk Powder
If you are fine with the extra calories and saturated fat of 2 percent or whole milk, whole milk can offer some benefits during pregnancy. Not a regular milk substitute, but you can use whole milk to add some extra vitamins and minerals to your diet.Â
Judee’s milk powder is expensive yet a healthy choice for pregnant women. That’s because its allergy-friendly formula is free from hormones, gluten, and nut. Plus, it contains only one ingredient- whole milk powder.Â
You’ll be happy to note that the milk powder tastes excellent. Hence, you can use it for different purposes, which include making yogurt, sauces or bread, and more. However, you should limit the consumption of whole milk if you are already taking a good amount of saturated fat through your diet.
Pros
- Versatile milk powder
- Made from healthy ingredientsÂ
- Rich in nutrients for the growth and development of your baby
Cons
- Higher saturated fat contentÂ
Milkadamia Milk
Milkadamia Milk comes in six (32) ounces containers to last several months. It contains unsweetened sugar and a highlight of vanilla. The milk is purely plant-based and is thus a good option if you are a vegan.
Made from macadamia nuts, Milkadamia Milk is a healthy choice for pregnancy since its dairy, soy, gluten, and carrageenan-free. Also, it’s purely natural and doesn’t contain any GMO products.
It’s easy to prepare, and you can have a delicious serving in no time. Versatile, you can mix with coffee to prepare a sweet and thick creamy coffee. Also, you can use it for making smoothies and baking straight from the package.
Pros
- Extended shelf life
- Sweet and delicious taste
- Made from natural products
- Rich in nutrients, minerals, and calories
Cons
- An expensive option
Recommended Milk & Milk Alternatives for Pregnancy
Orgain Plant-Based Protein Almond Milk
Orgain is well-known for its good, clean protein powders. This high-quality and organic almond milk from Orgain is no different.
The first thing to note about this product is the beautifully labeled package that leaves a good first impression. Then, this one has a much higher protein content than regular almond milk. However, you mightn’t be a fan of its unsweetened vanilla flavor and thicker consistency.
The main ingredient for this milk powder is organic almond milk. Moreover, it’s vegan, dairy, lactose, and gluten-free, and you can mix it with tea, coffee, chocolate, and more. Although the price is a little on the high side, this almond milk is perfect for adding a luxurious delight to your favorite smoothie recipe during pregnancy.
Pros
- Beautiful packaging
- High protein content yet low in sugar
- Enriched with Vitamin D and calciumÂ
- No fillers, dairy, soy, gluten, and other allergens
Cons
- Not so great flavor and consistency as claimed
Milkman Low-fat Milk
Did you know that non-fat or low-fat milk is a healthier choice for pregnant women? And here is an excellent low-fat milk formula for pregnant women from Milkman.
At first, this milk powder tastes like real milk. It’s creamy and delicious that’s because it is enriched with real cream and tastes. Apart from their original creamy low-fat milk flavor, Milkman also has a rich, nutritious chocolate-flavored version of this milk. With 2-year shelf life, you’ll have more reasons to shop for this product.
The majority of pregnant women are picky when it comes to choosing dairy products. Luckily, this product scores strong points since it has no strong aftertaste, making it an excellent whole milk alternative during pregnancy.
Pros
- Good shelf life
- No strong after taste
- Sweat flavor or taste
- Enriched with many nutrients
Cons
- A little pricey compared to local brands
Oatsome Organic Oat Milk
Here is another organic oat milk from Oatsome. Free from gluten, dairy, lactose, and soy, Oatsome offers reassurance on the safety of pregnant women.
Formulated with organic oats, Oatsome’s nutrient-rich formula also contains riboflavin, vitamin D, and a few other vitamins and minerals. As a plant-based milk alternative, you shouldn’t worry about any stomach issues. Since oat milk is low in protein, make sure to add a protein supplement to your pregnancy diet.
The product has a better texture and taste than many other milk alternatives. So you can try it with cereal, coffee, smoothies, and even alone.
Pros
- Easy to store
- Great taste and texture
- Made with the highest highly organic ingredientsÂ
- A good source of vitamins and minerals for expecting moms
Cons
- Extra protein supplement might be neededÂ
Read Also: Top 5 Safe Products For Pregnancy Constipation
Best Milk for Pregnancy
Questions & Answers
Is it safe to drink milk during pregnancy?
So, is it right to take milk when expecting a baby? Absolutely Yes! Milk is not only safe but also one of the must-haves for your diet during pregnancy. Packed with calcium, protein, and phosphorus, milk offers essential nutrients for pregnant women. In addition, drinking a cup of warm milk before sleep can work as a pregnancy-safe sleep aid.
Milk also contains vitamin D, vitamin A, and vitamin B, which work together to support the baby’s growth. However, pregnant women should stay away from unpasteurized, raw milk as raw milk can contain disease-causing microbes. Experts also advise avoiding foods made with unpasteurized, raw milk while pregnant.
If you are intolerant to lactose, it’s not a good idea to start drinking regular milk during pregnancy. In this case, milk alternatives like almond and oat milk can be great substitutes for expecting mothers. If you are trying milk alternatives for the first time during pregnancy, please consult with a nutritionist or your doctor.
What type of milk is best to avoid while pregnant?
You should reduce whole milk intake during pregnancy. The saturated fat in whole milk might not be a healthy option for you and your growing baby. For fat intake, you should rely on natural sources of fat such as fish, olive oil, canola oil, nuts, and nut butter.
Skim or low-fat varieties, in particular, are good for pregnant women because of their limited amount of saturated fat. They usually contain the same amount of essential nutrients as the whole milk types. For adequate calcium intake, you can try some calcium supplements and calcium-rich foods such as yogurt, cheese, and almonds.
What are some best milk alternatives during pregnancy?
Other than cows, there are different sources of milk. Plant-based milk alternatives are becoming popular among pregnant women. That is because these milk alternatives contain unsaturated fat, and they are naturally lactose-free. Though not popular as plant-based alternatives, goat milk offers more nutritional value than cow’s milk.
Below are some best plant-based milk alternatives for pregnant women:
- Oat milk
- Soy milk
- Almond milk
- Rice Milk
- Coconut milk
- Chocolate milk
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, a pregnant woman requires the right nutrients for herself and her unborn child. Be it dairy milk or other milk alternatives, make sure you are getting enough protein, calcium, and certain vitamins and minerals from different sources.
Know that plant-based milk alternatives aren’t the exact substitutes for regular dairy milk. Hence you might have to take supplements along with a milk alternative. If you are struggling to find a suitable milk alternative during pregnancy, we recommend that you talk to a licensed dietitian.
