soy milk

[mizzmummi]

how many of u give ur kids soy milk instead of cows milk?
my son is 21 months old and im wondering if its ok for him to change to soy milk, the milk packages say children shouldnt have soy milk until they r 2 yrs old,but is this true? the milk companies lie about alot of things so i dont no wether or not to trust this.
i ask bcoz im currently trying to go vegan and am feeding my son alot of the things im eating as its healthier and id like him to live as much of a cruelty free life as possible.
how many of u r vegan and raising vegan children???

[mizzmummi]

any help would be great thanx

[GreenGully]

Have you done a forum search on the dangers of soy? I wouldn't ever give a child soy milk, nor would I drink it myself.

[Bronnie]

my children drink rice milk (for similar reasons to GG above I imagine)

[mumofone]

hi, we drink rice milk here to, great taste and it comes in long life packs, so good to keep extras on hand in the cupboard. I would also recommend you do some reading on soy before considering it for yourself or kids, if you google you will find a ton of info.

[strata]

i dread to think how much soy i've given my son over the years. while mostly rice, oat and local organic dairy drinkers since hearing a little about soymilk dangers. i was under the impression that some soy products were ok, if fermented like tempeh, or products such as bonsoy, produced using 'traditional' methods using whole organic beans and seaweed. i had heard that traditionally in asia soy was combined with certain seaweeds which negate its toxic effects. ??????? does anyone have any definitive answers on this, google brings up so much, and so little time to sift it!! i was alarmed by some articles i just read, but love the occasional bonsoy smoothie, often eat tempeh and love soy burgers like my ma makes.....???? will def steer clear of cheepo soy milk after what i read, but bonsoy???

[Amanda.R]

I also thought soy was safe if it was consumed with seaweed (something to do with the iodine i think?) and also if it was fermented. I love tofu too much and don't always have it with seaweed. Does anyone know about its effects on pregnancy?

[Bronnie]

personally, i have no problems with the traditional forms of soy (tofu etc). it's the over processed rubbish (ie milk, cheese etc) that i won't give my children. (well they're allergic to soy so it's out anyway, but YKWIM).

were they not allergic, they'd have tofu occasionally.

[shaestar]

Bonsoy is lovely-it's a bit creamier if you are making the transition. Rice milk is good too. Are you still breastfeeding? We avoided dairy milk by using breastmilk to drink and rice milk in cooking. That said...Bonsoy is yummy!
We have been on and off vegans-so have the kids. It's usually just a matter of being organised with snacks to take with you :-)

[GreenGully]

The seaweed helps with counteracting potential damage to the thyroid, however soy is potentially damaging in other ways. I certainly wouldn't use it as a regular/main drink. Perhaps occasionally in cooking. Oat and rice milks (and almond milk if nuts are not a risk) are good substitute drinks if you feel you need one.