Fortified Plant Milk: Can I Choose It?

Hey, vegans, out there, I know you are chilling with your delicious vegan recipes and meanwhile, you popped up here as heard about this Fortified plant milk recently from someone and you know that your query gets the answer here. We got you. We will make you clear of every dilemma in your head. Due to environmental changes and polluted surroundings, the food we eat and the water we drink have become less nutritious. As a way to cover up all those lost nutrients, companies have come up with an idea called Fortification. Let’s delve into every detail to get a clear eye. We won’t break the trust you have in us. We will cover everything ranging from:-

What is fortification?
Why is the fortification of food common nowadays?
Is Fortifying Plant Milk Common?
Advantages of having fortified plant milk.
Some cons of having Fortified plant milk.
Who can take it?
Who should not take it?
What do we suggest?

Okay, let’s get started. Have a joyful read and we will be more than happy if you share this article with someone who may get insights from it.

What is Fortification?

WebMD defines Fortification as the chemical process of adding certain micronutrients, vitamins and minerals to food. Some foods are enriched with required nutrients but some do not have those micronutrients. So companies add them to enrich the nutritional value of the food and also benefit our health.

Why is the Fortification of Food Common Nowadays?

Due to environmental changes, polluted surroundings, dietary habits, and expenses spent on food, it has been difficult to get the required nutrients to your body. Micronutrients are a kind of nutrient which our body can’t make on its own, these nutrients must be supplied in the form of a diet.

But due to the above-mentioned conditions, we aren’t sure that we are getting enough nutrients to keep us away from nutrient-deficiency diseases.

That’s why fortification has become common nowadays and the WHO indicated that around 45% of children under the age of 5 are dying due to undernutrition. It’s high time to keep an eye on the nutrients that are going inside our bodies.

Is Fortifying Plant Milk Common?

As per the data provided by WebMD, Fortified plant milk stands in the top 5 foods that are commonly fortified. As it is believed that cow’s milk has a sufficient amount of calcium and protein and not all plant-based milk does not have the same amount as dairy milk. So, many vegan milk brands are choosing to fortify plant-based milk with the essential vitamins and minerals to satiate the needs of your body. As many are switching their paths towards more eco-friendly vegan milk, keeping the customers feel happy not only with the taste but also with the nutrients has been the most important goal for plant-based milk brands.

The followings are the vital micronutrients and some minerals that plant-based milk is usually fortified with:-

Vitamin B2
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Folic acid
Vitamin A
Calcium
Iron
Magnesium

The above list along with some additives and sweeteners make up the Fortified plant milk.

Advantages of Fortified Plant Milk

Not all plant-based milk is the same. Some have a good amount of protein, and some don’t. Some have a good amount of fibre and some lack or nil. Based on this, we can say that:-

It can satisfy all your daily nutrients.
It can keep you away from nutrient deficiency disorders.
It can help you to stop searching for alternative food sources to fulfil your needs.
You can now have a sufficient amount of calcium and protein without having dairy.
Adding additives can enhance the flavour.
It can enhance the creamy texture and sweetness of the milk.
Need not compromise on the taste and health as well.
You can now have your favourite plant milk without worrying about less protein or calcium.
They are pocket friendly.
Safer during pregnancy and satisfies the needs of the growing baby too (even though, please check the label before taking it).

Some Disadvantages of Fortified Plant Milk

Not everything comes with full benefits. Even life-saving medicines come with side effects and so does plant-based milk.

Every human has a different set of nutrient needs. A child may need fewer vitamins than an adult.
This can lead to an over intake of vitamins. Like, some consume fortified foods along with some vitamin pills.
Heavily processed.
Not sure of all the chemicals added, whether they are healthy or not.
Over intake of fortified plant-based milk along with other fortified vegan foods can lead to obesity.
Synthetic additives and sweeteners can have ill effects on your body.

Who Can Take Fortified Plant Milk?

Economic Times shows that only 57% of milk has been fortified with calcium, so it is better to check the label to get enough calcium from your plant-based milk. Now, coming to your query, well, every person who needs micronutrients and is not getting enough from other foods needs to have this fortified plant milk. To be more specific:-

Children who need calcium for their home development.
Children who are cow milk allergic and lactose intolerant can’t get enough micronutrients from other sources.
Pregnant women need more iron and iodine which naturally occur in dairy but rarely can be seen in plant milk.
Who is already nutrient deficient and vitamin deficient.
Economic Times further suggests that if someone is new to veganism and trying out plant-based milk, then it would be better to go with a fortified one.
New vegans find it difficult to get new vegan recipes, so it will be easy to fulfil their nutrition by picking up Fortified plant milk from the aisle.

Who Should Avoid It?

Well, even plant-based milk is pumped with needed micronutrients that are quite essential to your body, but there are some limits on who can consume and who should avoid it. The first question got answered already, now it’s time to answer the second query. Reasonably, we will say:-

Those who are having vitamin pills and other kinds of fortified plant-based foods can avoid it.
Those who prefer their drink to be organic can get their nutrition satiated by other means of food.
Those who don’t prefer their milk to be pumped with additives and chemical-based sweeteners.
Those who have a sufficient amount of vitamins and other minerals.
Those who are obese and have overnutrition.

What Do We Suggest?

I hope you have got an eagle eye on the Fortified plant milk. As a final verdict, I would like to give some more clarity on whether you can choose it or not. Stay tuned if you are confused.

It’s not an illegal or wrong decision to choose fortified plant milk, in fact, I would say that’s the best decision.
You can opt for a fortified one keeping in mind the immense benefits it brings us.
Unless, due to any of the above reasons, you prefer not to have fortified plant milk, you can always have it.
But, yes, please check the label before you buy to save yourself from buying cancerous agents.

If you get any allergies due to cow milk or any nasal allergies or skin allergies, please visit IAFA Ayurveda or you can simply book an online consultation now. Dr. Gupta has treated more than 50000+ patients worldwide. Why can’t you be the next one? You deserve a happy and healthy life without any allergies.

Okay, we are winding up, this is all the info about Fortified plant milk. Hope you have got an idea, do let’s know in the comments whether you had chosen fortified vegan milk.

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