It is important for a woman to eat enough essential nutrients throughout the day during pregnancy because she doesn’t only have to eat for herself but also for her baby. So this means that you need to consume twice the amount of nutrients that you do on regular basis and some extra ones in order to avoid any mishaps during pregnancy.
One of the major food item that women worry about is milk. So the question is how much milk should a pregnant women drink a day for a healthy pregnancy because we have heard people saying that drinking too much milk during pregnancy can be harmful.
So today in this article we are going to talk about all the questions that women commonly have about pregnancy and milk. So let us look at in detail the benefits of milk and how much you should consume in order to ensure proper growth and health of your baby.
Milk – An essential food item for pregnant woman
No matter what you hear from anyone, if you are not lactose intolerant you must consume milk while you are pregnant because milk is a natural drink that is packed with some essential nutrients that not only benefit you but also ensure proper and healthy growth of your unborn child.
For centuries pregnant women have been depending on milk for essential nutrients so we can say it with utmost certainty that you must drink at least a glass of milk every day for the growth and development of your growing baby.
Types of milk
When we talk about the types of milk we are talking about the different sources from which you can obtain milk. Not all women prefer the same milk and neither do all of them need the same nutritional value thus as a pregnant woman your choice can vary depending on your taste and choice. Some of the different types of milk are;
1. Cow Milk
Cow milk is the most abundantly used milk because it is available at almost every store. You can get it in different concentrations such as skimmed, whole, and flavored. Cow milk contains the most calcium, 285 mg per glass.
Cow milk contains a number of vitamins and minerals along with proteins that are essential for cell building in the baby. Vitamin A builds immunity, Vitamin D helps in calcium absorption and Vitamin E protects the baby and the mother against diseases.
2. Goat Milk
Goat milk is packed with high nutritional value. It is not liked because it tastes a bit odd but if you want high-quality milk then this is your best choice. You can get it in the fresh state or get the UHT processed goat milk from the market.
Each glass of goat milk contains 283 mg of calcium. Along with calcium, there are other minerals and nutrients that are also present in it such as proteins, vitamin B2, healthy dietary fats, and vitamin A.
3. Soya Milk
Soya milk is prepared by grounding soya beans and soaking them in water. The best part about soya milk is that it provides you with the same amount of proteins as cow milk. Plus you can add some flavor to it for a better taste.
Soya milk is free of cholesterol thus prevents heart problems and also comes with healthy fats that are good for your baby. Each glass of soya milk is packed with 300 mg of calcium that is good for your baby’s development.
4. Almond Milk
Almond milk is prepared by mixing ground almonds and water. It comes with some amazing nutritional compounds such as folic acid, vitamin B, vitamin E, calcium, iron, protein, and fiber. A single glass of milk can give you about 7.5mg of calcium.
Even though it doesn’t provide the same nutritional value as cow milk but is a great alternative for women who are allergic to soya milk and gluten. Plus it has low calories and cholesterol.
5. Oat Milk
Oat milk is one of the top choices of pregnant women because it is packed with high amounts of Fibre and only a small number of calories. Oat milk also contains vitamins such as A and B along with some essential minerals such as potassium, phosphorous, and manganese.
During pregnancy, oat milk maintains your blood sugar level and also reduces your food cravings. Along with this oat milk also helps with constipation which is something common in pregnant women. the nutritional value of oat milk is less than cow milk but more than the other types of milk.
6. Saffron Milk
Saffron Milk is the type of milk that is prepared by mixing two strands of saffron in a simple glass of milk. You don’t necessarily have to mix it with cow milk. You can choose any of the above types of milk depending on your taste.
Saffron contains certain nutrients that regulate blood pressure in pregnant women and reduce the chance of high blood pressure. Some women have also noticed that it reduces mood swings as well and aids in digestion during pregnancy.
7. Milk Powder
Milk powder is the pasteurized form of cow milk. In simple words cow milk is turned into powder for pregnant women for easy consumption thus it provides a pregnant woman with the same nutritional value as the cow milk.
Benefits of drinking milk in Pregnancy
Milk comes with some amazing nutritional benefits that are good for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Some of the amazing benefits of drinking milk are;
- Milk is packed with high amounts of calcium and Vitamin D both of which are essential for the proper development and growth of the baby. On average a woman needs about 1000 to 1300 mg of calcium every day. Thus this is how much milk should a pregnant drink a day.
- According to the research mothers who drink milk during pregnancy have taller children as compared to the mothers who don’t thus milk increases the height and the growth of babies.
- Milk is rich in nutrients and minerals such as proteins, amino acids, and fatty acids that aid in the proper development of a baby’s brain.
- Milk is also rich in oxygen and iron that helps in the growth of the baby and also improves the circulation of oxygen from mother to child.
- It also contains Vitamin A, B, and D that are essential for the development of the fetal.
- Milk also keeps the body hydrated throughout the day.
- The iodine in the mill helps enhance the IQ level of the unborn child.
- Milk consumption during pregnancy has helped lower the risk of diseases.
Myths about milk and pregnancy
There are certain myths about milk and pregnancy. Some of them are true while others are false. Many woman question does drinking milk during pregnancy make baby fair or not. This is one of the oldest myths linked to milk. In the past women used to believe that drinking milk during pregnancy makes the baby fair.
This is a myth that is totally wrong because their color of the skin is not based on the food that you consume but it is based on genetics. So milk only helps in the development and the growth of the baby and not in the color of the baby.
The basic question is how much milk should a pregnant woman drink a day? According to certain dietitians and doctors, a woman on average should consume about 1000 mg of calcium on daily basis for the proper growth and development of the baby. This means that a woman should consume about 3 glasses of milk during the day.
You can consume milk according to your needs. Some women require high nutritional value while others only require a small amount of it. The amount of nutritional value varies depending on the diet of the pregnant women so it is better to consult your doctor and dietitian for the proper consumption of milk throughout your pregnancy.
Conclusion
Milk is one of the most essential food items because it is packed with a high amount of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins which not only benefits the mother but also benefits the baby. It gives the mother the strength to carry the baby for 9 months, keeping her bones and muscles strong while it also helps in the development of the baby.
All mothers should consume at least 3 glasses of milk every day for the best results. It is always better to consult your doctor before you add an item to your diet plan during pregnancy because your body is quite vulnerable while you are pregnant so your body might react badly to the food that you consume.
Consult your doctor and choose your milk type and you would be good to go for nine whole months!