Benefits of Drinking Milk During Pregnancy 2022
There are mixed opinions when it comes to including milk and other dairy
products in a pregnancy diet, but milk can be very beneficial for you during
pregnancy. It can offer you a host of nutrients that you will need for the
healthy development of your baby. So, find out why we are insisting on including
this wholesome drink in your diet.
Cow’s milk is abundantly available and consumed by many. It comes in raw, skimmed, whole and flavoured types.
Nutritional Facts: Cow’s milk is rich in calcium, and Vitamins A, D and E. The proteins and amino acids present in the milk are essential for cell building in both the mother and foetus. Vitamin D is critical for calcium absorption and protects against gestational diabetes. Vitamin A strengthens the immune system and helps improve vision. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties and protects against diseases. A glass of cow’s milk can provide you with 285 mg of calcium.
Goat milk, though not a popular choice among many people, is highly nutritious. It may taste a bit odd, but is worth trying if you’re looking for more quality and less quantity. It is available as fresh milk, UHT (Ultra High Temperature processed) milk that is heated above 135 degrees Celsius to get rid of spores, and in organic varieties.
Nutritional Facts: Goat milk is higher in protein, Vitamin B2, and butterfat globules as compared to cow’s milk. The healthy dietary fats in goat milk also help lower cholesterol levels, speed up the metabolic process, and aid digestion. The Vitamin A content in the milk is readily absorbed by the body. A glass of goat milk contains 283 mg of calcium.
To make soya milk, ground soybeans soaked in water. It contains the same level of proteins as cow’s milk and is available in flavoured, fibre, and calcium-enriched varieties.
Nutritional Facts: Soy milk can provide you with ample amounts of calcium essential for the mother and the baby. It also offers healthy fats that are good for the heart while being cholesterol-free. Soy milk is also rich in antioxidants that fight cancer and boost immunity. One glass of soy milk can provide you with 300 mg of calcium.
Also known as badam milk, it is made by grounding almonds and adding water. It is an excellent alternative to those who are allergic to gluten and soy.
Nutritional Facts: Almond milk is rich in folic acid, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, calcium, iron, protein, and fibre. It is low in calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol. A glass of unfortified almond milk gives 7.5 mg of calcium.
Oat milk is high in fibre and low in calories. It eases constipation and can control your excess craving for food and maintain stable sugar levels in the blood.
Nutritional Facts: Oat milk is high in Vitamins A and B and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, and manganese. It contains more proteins than almond milk and rice milk (made with ground rice and water) but not as much as cow milk. It has a fairly good amount of calcium, i.e., 120 mg per glass.
The instant formula in the form of milk powder is made from natural pasteurised milk. It has the same nutritional content as cow’s milk.
These are different types of milk. It is said that drinking saffron milk is very beneficial milk for a pregnant woman. If you want to drink saffron milk while pregnant, you can add a few strands of saffron in any milk and drink it. Saffron milk can help lower blood pressure, mood swings and improve digestion.
1. What to Eat or Drink
Consume dairy products such as yoghurt as an afternoon snack. Have milk with a bowl of cereal for a fuller breakfast. Low-fat cheese is a great spread on sandwiches and with salads.
2. What to Avoid
Avoid unpasteurized milk and dairy products made out of it.
This is a myth. Drinking milk or saffron milk won’t affect the complexion of your baby. The complexion depends entirely on the genes inherited from the parents.
2. What Will Happen If I Do Not Drink Milk During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women who consume less than one cup of milk a day during pregnancy may have smaller babies as compared to those who consumed more than one cup. Pregnant women who are calcium-deficient due to low consumption of milk experience a loss of bone mass during pregnancy as the foetus absorbs calcium from the mother for development.
3. Can I Drink Milk at Night While Pregnant?
Do not drink milk immediately after a meal. You can drink warm milk with honey before going to sleep for a better quality of sleep and to maintain optimum blood sugar levels in the night.
Whatever may be the type of milk you decide to consume, get the right amount so you can provide all the essential nutrients your baby needs for healthy development.
- Milk is highly nutritious and is a vital source of calcium and vitamin D for women during pregnancy. And do you know why you need Vitamin D during pregnancy? As per a study, getting enough Vitamin D during pregnancy can lower the baby’s risk of developing allergies in future. Apart from this, pregnant women also need between 1000 and 1300 mg of calcium every day to nourish their body and the body of their developing baby. Drinking milk during pregnancy can meet some of your calcium requirements. You can take calcium supplements suggested by your doctor and drink milk daily to meet your calcium requirements.
- Drinking milk during pregnancy can also have growth-promoting effects in the foetus and it can help the baby grow tall. The baby may also have higher levels of insulin in his blood during the late teens which can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Milk is rich in protein, amino acids, and fatty acids – all of which are essential for the development of the baby’s nervous system. Being rich in calcium and iron, milk helps in the formation and development of the bones of the baby and to transport oxygen to the baby. Milk also has all the necessary A, B and D vitamins required for the intrauterine foetal development.
- Milk acts as an effective antacid that can ease heartburn and other gastric ailments, that are a common problem during pregnancy.
- The iodine content in milk has been shown to enhance foetal brain development and increase the IQ of children.
- Milk consumption in pregnancy is also linked to a lowered risk of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, neonatal rickets, and osteoporosis.
What Are the Different Types of Milk You Can Choose From During Pregnancy?
When the different types of milk are processed, their fat and calorie content change. A woman’s diet and body type during pregnancy will determine whether a type of milk is beneficial for her or not. Here are a few types of milk you can choose from:1. Whole Milk
Whole milk contains extra fats and nutrients that get removed in the skimming process. A cup of whole milk contains about 5 g of saturated fat and 149 calories. Whole milk is ideal for you and will be recommended if you are not overweight and enjoy drinking full cream milk.
2. Pasteurised Milk
Pasteurisation is the process where milk is heated on a high temperature to destroy pathogens and enzymes that spoil the milk when it is in storage. Whenever you opt for whole milk, you must make sure that it is pasteurised to prevent the chances of any serious diseases. If you enjoy drinking cold milk, then make sure it is pasteurised before you drink it.
3. Raw Milk
Raw milk is basically unpasteurised milk. It often contains a host of infectious pathogens, unnecessary enzymes, and pus cells from the cow. If your only source is raw milk, then make sure it is boiled and cooled or consumed as hot milk.
Nutritional Facts of Different Types of Milk
Not all women prefer the same type of milk and not all need the same level of nutrition when the rest of their diet is taken into account. For example, vegans would prefer non-dairy and organic milk from plant sources and some might just go with the taste. So here are some types of milk with their nutritional facts – choose what you like!1. Cow’s Milk
Cow’s milk is abundantly available and consumed by many. It comes in raw, skimmed, whole and flavoured types.
Nutritional Facts: Cow’s milk is rich in calcium, and Vitamins A, D and E. The proteins and amino acids present in the milk are essential for cell building in both the mother and foetus. Vitamin D is critical for calcium absorption and protects against gestational diabetes. Vitamin A strengthens the immune system and helps improve vision. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties and protects against diseases. A glass of cow’s milk can provide you with 285 mg of calcium.
2. Goat Milk
Goat milk, though not a popular choice among many people, is highly nutritious. It may taste a bit odd, but is worth trying if you’re looking for more quality and less quantity. It is available as fresh milk, UHT (Ultra High Temperature processed) milk that is heated above 135 degrees Celsius to get rid of spores, and in organic varieties.
Nutritional Facts: Goat milk is higher in protein, Vitamin B2, and butterfat globules as compared to cow’s milk. The healthy dietary fats in goat milk also help lower cholesterol levels, speed up the metabolic process, and aid digestion. The Vitamin A content in the milk is readily absorbed by the body. A glass of goat milk contains 283 mg of calcium.
3. Soy Milk
To make soya milk, ground soybeans soaked in water. It contains the same level of proteins as cow’s milk and is available in flavoured, fibre, and calcium-enriched varieties.
Nutritional Facts: Soy milk can provide you with ample amounts of calcium essential for the mother and the baby. It also offers healthy fats that are good for the heart while being cholesterol-free. Soy milk is also rich in antioxidants that fight cancer and boost immunity. One glass of soy milk can provide you with 300 mg of calcium.
4. Almond Milk
Also known as badam milk, it is made by grounding almonds and adding water. It is an excellent alternative to those who are allergic to gluten and soy.
Nutritional Facts: Almond milk is rich in folic acid, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, calcium, iron, protein, and fibre. It is low in calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol. A glass of unfortified almond milk gives 7.5 mg of calcium.
5. Oat Milk
Oat milk is high in fibre and low in calories. It eases constipation and can control your excess craving for food and maintain stable sugar levels in the blood.
Nutritional Facts: Oat milk is high in Vitamins A and B and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, and manganese. It contains more proteins than almond milk and rice milk (made with ground rice and water) but not as much as cow milk. It has a fairly good amount of calcium, i.e., 120 mg per glass.
6. Milk Powder
The instant formula in the form of milk powder is made from natural pasteurised milk. It has the same nutritional content as cow’s milk.
These are different types of milk. It is said that drinking saffron milk is very beneficial milk for a pregnant woman. If you want to drink saffron milk while pregnant, you can add a few strands of saffron in any milk and drink it. Saffron milk can help lower blood pressure, mood swings and improve digestion.
How to Drink Milk During Pregnancy
If you drink raw or unpasteurised milk during pregnancy, it can be troublesome for you and your baby. This is why we will tell you how you should drink milk while pregnant –- Milk is absorbed well when thinned with water in a ratio of 2 to 1. So you can drink milk tea or a light milkshake.
- Drink warm milk by taking small sips – don’t rush.
- Don’t drink milk after a heavy meal.
- Keep the minimum at 3 cups a day at different times.
Precautions and Tips
While drinking milk is beneficial in pregnancy, there are few things one must remember while consuming milk or other dairy products.1. What to Eat or Drink
Consume dairy products such as yoghurt as an afternoon snack. Have milk with a bowl of cereal for a fuller breakfast. Low-fat cheese is a great spread on sandwiches and with salads.
2. What to Avoid
Avoid unpasteurized milk and dairy products made out of it.
How Much Milk Should You Drink During Pregnancy?
Drinking too much milk during pregnancy can lead to bloating and indigestion. So you must drink milk or consume other dairy products in moderation. Drinking three cups of milk per day during pregnancy can provide you with all the necessary nutrients. But, if you’re drinking any other form of milk apart from cow’s milk, count the nutrient levels and vary the amount accordingly.FAQs
1. Drinking Milk During Pregnancy Will Make My Baby Fair – Is it True?This is a myth. Drinking milk or saffron milk won’t affect the complexion of your baby. The complexion depends entirely on the genes inherited from the parents.
2. What Will Happen If I Do Not Drink Milk During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women who consume less than one cup of milk a day during pregnancy may have smaller babies as compared to those who consumed more than one cup. Pregnant women who are calcium-deficient due to low consumption of milk experience a loss of bone mass during pregnancy as the foetus absorbs calcium from the mother for development.
3. Can I Drink Milk at Night While Pregnant?
Do not drink milk immediately after a meal. You can drink warm milk with honey before going to sleep for a better quality of sleep and to maintain optimum blood sugar levels in the night.
Whatever may be the type of milk you decide to consume, get the right amount so you can provide all the essential nutrients your baby needs for healthy development.
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