“We are seeing a lot more allergy in kids, so they are using these products a lot more than they have in the past – so you do see a lot more milk protein allergies. And parents are desperate to find something to give their children – and they see rice milk on the shelf and that looks like a good alternative to them.
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– Kelly Vieira, MD, clinical nutritionist, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

On the one hand, there are millions of young children with food allergies. On the other hand, there is no more critical time to supply a nutrient-rich diet to a child than during the first years of their life.

That’s the challenge facing lots of American parents, At stake is the health of their children, It’s also a challenge facing Michele Henry and her 18 month-old daughter, Maya.

Maya suffers from food allergies. “Eggs, soy, dairy, chocolate and nuts,” says Michele.

Because of her dairy allergy, her mom gives her rice milk – which lacks many of the nutrients real milk has.

“Rice milk – even the enriched, where you can meet your calcium and Vitamin D needs – the protein is not there,” explains Kelly Vieira, MD, clinical nutritionist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Without enough protein and other nutrients, she says, kids are at risk. “Usually it’s poor growth or dermatological changes – skin, hair, growth, energy, not getting teeth by a certain time, problems with walking and development,” she explains. “If they’re not seeming to do what other children their age are doing, then those are all things that could be due to nutritional deficiencies.”

And that’s why Maya’s mom is worried. “I’m concerned with her, her growth,” she says. “Will that affect her knees and her joints and, of course, her brain development.”

Experts say that, while supplements in rice and soymilk may provide enough vitamins and calcium, the challenge is protein.

“You’ll have to find ways to either do pureed meats, continue on baby food meats for a longer period of time, possibly- try to get some of these other proteins,” recommends Dr. Vieira.

That’s why, experts say, when looking for milk alternatives it’s important for parents to study the labels, “and most of those say ‘not an infant formula’ on the label,” says Dr. Vieira. “You have to take it into your own hands and really do the research yourself – to really know what you’re giving your child.”

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• If your children have allergies, the message is clear: read product labels thoroughly every time you shop. Remember that product recipes change occasionally. (Food Allergy Initiative)
• For maximum health, children need three servings of dairy and calcium-rich foods per day. (American Dietetic Association)
• Milk is rich in calcium, iron, Vitamin D and protein. Without these essential nutrients, children can develop rickets, Kwashiorkor – as well as growth and development issues. (National Dairy Council)
• Using fortified rice milk can be an acceptable alternative for older children, but it’s lacking essential ingredients for the growth and development of infants – especially protein, iron and essential fats. (USDA/ARS Children’s Nutritional Research Center)
• If your child has food allergies, consult with your pediatrician and a nutritionist – to determine the best ways to supplement nutrients. (Kelly Vieira, MD, clinical nutritionist, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)

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• International Association of Infant Food Manufacturers
• The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration

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