Health Kids

Soybean Milk for Children and Adults, What’s the Difference?

Photo by Daniel Reche from Pexels

In life, soybean consumption is very popular. These beans are often processed into tofu, tempeh, to soy milk.

Soy milk is also often used as an alternative to cow’s milk as a nutritional intake for Little, especially for Little who has an allergy with cow’s milk. However, is the soy milk commonly consumed by adults like you the same as that recommended given to the Little One? Check out the following explanation.

Soy formula milk as a support for Little Flower growth

Before discussing further, first of all it is necessary to know that soy milk is different from soy formula. Soy milk is milk made from soy beans that is boiled with water, then mashed and filtered.

Meanwhile, soy milk formula is soy milk made from which are then added special substances to support the growth and development of your child.

Soy formula is generally fortified with iron and zinc. AA (arachidonic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are also regularly added. The source of the protein itself comes from soybeans added with L-methionine, L-carnitine and taurine.

Then, the fat content comes from plant oils; like soybean oil, coconut, or sunflower. While the carbohydrate content, taken from corn maltodextrin, corn syrup, and sucrose.

Although milk (especially cow’s milk) is famous for its calcium content, those who regularly consume soy milk may actually experience calcium deficiency. Though this is a substance that is needed for the growth of strong bones and teeth.

That’s because soy milk only has a small amount of calcium, and does not even contain vitamin D. Therefore, producers of soy formula milk usually add calcium and vitamin D in their products.

Furthermore, soy milk and milk from other plants (such as almond milk) have high levels of phytate and oxalate. Both of these substances are known to inhibit the absorption of calcium, iron, and zinc in the body.

However, this 2019 study found that, although soy milk contains phytate and oxalate, if soy milk is fortified with calcium carbonate, the absorption of calcium will be the same as in cow’s milk.

Therefore, even though both are derived from soybeans, the content of soy milk that is made at home, manufactured soymilk, and soy formula will vary. Little ones who consume homemade soymilk may be more at risk of calcium deficiency, so it is important for Mother to provide other calcium-rich food sources.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), soy formula can be given to Little with the condition of galactosemia and primary lactase deficiency, and in conditions where parents choose to provide a vegetarian diet for their children. While in babies born prematurely, it is not recommended to consume soy formula.

The difference between soy milk for little kids and adults

The nutritional needs of each age group will be different. For Little, for example, it takes high-energy food to support rapid body growth. Consumption of protein, vitamins, and minerals are also needed to support growth and development.

On the other hand, adults do not undergo the process of growth and development like children, so that their nutritional needs are slightly different.