We live in a new world where whoever can pay the most for advertising can directly influence public opinion. Sometimes this new world of mass marketing can be beneficial and improve human health, but other times the messaging is misleading.

Enter the debate over dairy milk vs almond ‘milk’.

First off, almond milk is a misleading name. A better description is filtered water that is clouded with a few almonds that have been squished up. Almonds are extremely nutritious, being packed with anti-oxidants, and Vitamin E. National academic institutes have linked almonds to the lowering of blood pressure and cholesterol, and in increase in bone health and stabilization of blood sugar. These benefits sound incredible, until you realize that there are only roughly two almonds in one cup of almond milk.

Set aside the debate over calling almond milk, ‘milk,’ which is raging in Washington. Is almond milk really the better choice when compared to dairy milk? If you are a fully-grown adult with dietary restrictions or just trying to add specific benefits to your existing nutritional needs, then yes. If we are talking about children, then the answer is a solid no

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) adamantly encourages parents to give children under the age of two years whole Vitamin D fortified dairy milk and then switch to 2% dairy milk until age seven. The reasons are brain development and nutrition. Naturally occurring healthy fats in dairy milk are instrumental in creating myelin sheaths around the cells of the nervous system.  The human brain makes up most of the nervous system. Thus, giving children dairy milk equates with healthy brain development. Fortified almond milk may be a decent substitute, if it is sugar free and fortified with calcium. If a child is allergic to dairy, then it is a great replacement, but parents need to account for the lack of some of the nutritional benefits found in dairy milk. Those nutritional benefits include, a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, and the perfect balance of protein and healthy fats.

There are many dissenting opinions being published in the media, but when deciding we suggest people do a simple side by side comparison for the age bracket of the consumer. The labels may not provide this information, so follow the recommendations of your pediatrician and not what is perpetuated by the media.

By Brett Roeller
Director of National Accounts, QualiTru Sampling Systems
brett@qualitru.com   Follow Brett on LinkedIn