Exploring Plant-Based Milk Alternatives for Infants

Many moms seeking alternatives to breast milk during the day often choose formula, unaware of healthier plant-based milk options that can supplement (but not fully replace) nursing.

Sesame seeds are used in foods like halva, tahini, and sesame oil. They boast six times more calcium than cow's milk, along with plenty of protein and minerals such as calcium and iron. They also contain magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, copper, and potassium, as well as a wealth of vitamins like A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and dietary fiber.

Grind whole sesame seeds in a coffee grinder and soak them in water overnight. Use a muslin cloth to strain the husks. Squeeze the remaining fiber in the cloth to extract maximum nutritional value from the sesame seeds. Sweeten the milk with sulfite-free natural molasses or cooked organic dates (without preservatives). Cool after cooking, peel, and remove the seed. Blend everything with water in a blender (for very young infants, also strain the fibers). You can prepare in larger quantities and store refrigerated. Honey is not recommended for infants under one year.

Almonds, a type of nut, are rich in minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium, polyunsaturated fatty acids, trace elements, protein, vitamins B1, B2, B3, E, folic acid, and dietary fibers.

Almond milk recipe: Soak almonds in water overnight in the fridge and peel the skins easily in the morning. Blend with water and strain through a muslin cloth or fine sieve. Industrial "shkedia" cold-pressed from health food stores is also suitable for easy almond milk preparation – add a teaspoon of shkedia to a bottle of lukewarm water (the smaller the infant, the more diluted the emulsion should be). Sweeten as in the previous recipe.

Breast milk provides readily available sugar, so the above milk types are sweetened. Additionally, meals served in the morning should be sweeter than those served in the evening. As infants are younger, their food should be less concentrated (less fatty). More concentrated foods can be given in the evening before bed.

To book a home workshop with naturopath Ruth Liat Felz (free of charge), call 073-2221290