Rice-based beverages in the diets of expectant mothers, nursing women, infants, and young children – nutritional evaluation and safety considerations
Anna Schmidt
2026-03-18
4 min. read
Rice-based beverages in the diets of expectant mothers, nursing women, infants, and young children – nutritional evaluation and safety considerations
33
views
Dairy products have long been recognized as a primary source of readily absorbable calcium and high-quality animal protein, both of which are indispensable for optimal bodily development. Nevertheless, the rising prevalence of lactose intolerance, cow’s milk protein allergies, and dietary preferences has prompted consumers to seek plant-based alternatives. Among the most frequently chosen substitutes is rice milk. A critical question arises, however: Does this beverage meet the nutritional demands of highly vulnerable populations—such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, infants, and young children—whose requirements for essential nutrients are exceptionally stringent?
It's rice milk
Vegetable beverages are obtained from various types of products of plant origin. The method of production is simple, as it involves boiling the ingredient in water in appropriate proportions, then diluting and filtering it to give a clear shape to the beverage. Then, selected flavor enhancing substances (sugar) and nutrient enhancing ingredients (vitamins, mineral ingredients) are added to the chilled liquid. The finished product is then packaged in an acidic fermentation process and sent to the grocery store. On the Polish market, there are gluten-free vegetable drinks from the raw ingredients of the common ingredients, orange juice (orange juice), corn syrup (or red wine), orange oil (or white wine), which contains a lower amount of calcium (calcium) or white wine.
Rice milk during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Rice drinks are most often chosen by pregnant or breastfeeding women who are on a vegetarian or vegan diet, lactose intolerant women and women who want to diversify their existing diets. Rice beverages available on the market are enriched with ingredients such as calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin D and are therefore a valuable source of these ingredients and can be used as an alternative to cow's milk.
Rice milk for babies and children
However, the author of the study on cow's milk substitutes calls for the use of a fat elimination diet from an early age. As an alternative to breast milk for infants, casein-free formulae and lactose-based formulae based on soybean protein, rice or maize are used. The undoubted advantage of rice drinks is the lack of existing protein and allergenic compounds. The author of this study, however, draws particular attention to the risk factors that may be involved in the introduction of carcinogenic diuretics to infants and young children.