First of all, let me say that I am not a complete health food freak, although I don't think there is anything wrong with that (and it might be that my family just hasn't reached this status yet, but will in the future). For the most part, I think we eat similarly to most Americans. There is always pop in our house, we eat pizza and hamburgers, etc., etc. However, both of my children have food allergies and this has led us to make changes in our diet, which has also led to healthier eating. Connor is allergic to dyes, specifically Red #40, but probably the other dyes as well. Luckily, it is pretty easy to tell what has Red #40 and to avoid it. Vivian, on the other hand, has a milk protein intolerance. This is more difficult. It took us eight weeks of constant crying before we figured out what was wrong with her and switched her to Nutramigen (a formula based on cow's milk, but with all the milk proteins completely broken down). Now that she is starting to eat solid foods, this allergy is becoming more difficult. She can't eat yogurt, cheese, ice cream, or milk, or anything with any of these ingredients in it. I can always tell when I have accidently given her something with milk or a milk product because she'll get a rash on her face. Basically she can eat meat, fruits, vegetables and some bread. She still drinks Nutramigen, but as you can imagine, it is more expensive than all other formulas and it feels like it is costing us an arm and a leg right now.A few days ago, Vivian went to the pediatrician for her nine month check up and she said we could start introducing a milk alternative. She suggested rice milk. However, after doing a lot of research, I realized that rice milk is just not that nutritious. It contains no fat, no protein, no calcium (unless fortified) and no vitamins or minerals. It is basically just carbs and sugar. So I started looking at other alternative milks. Almond milk: no go, Curt and I both have nut allergies and we can't introduce nuts until she is two. Soy milk: no go, it acts a a synthetic estrogen and can cause a girl to go through puberty early. Goat's milk: no go, there is a lot of cross reactivity between cow and goat milk, meaning if you are allergic to one, it is likely you'll be allergic to the other. That's when I came across hemp milk, which I initially dismissed because it seemed a little too alternative. Yet, as I researched it more (Curt also researched it), I found that it is actually very good for you. It contains fat (which babies need for brain development), easy to digest proteins, all ten essential amino acids, omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, calcium, and several other vitamins. It is probably the most nutritious alternative to milk out there right now. Also, in case you are wondering hemp milk has no drug properties and is not marijuana. It is perfectly safe to consume. So, Curt and I agreed that we would give it a try. We picked up a carton at Akin and we each had a glass and let Vivian have a sip. She liked it immediately and wanted more! We both thought it tasted pretty good as well. It is thin, similar to skim milk, and has a creamy, nutty flavor. Since then we have been replacing one ounce of each of Vivian's bottles with hemp milk. We are still watching for any sign of allergic reaction, but so far so good. Eventually, we hope to replace half of her formula with it and thankfully, it is much cheaper than Nutramigen (about three times cheaper).
So we hopefully have found the miracle alternative to milk, but this post also has another purpose. While researching hemp milk, I discovered that it is illegal to cultivate hemp in the U.S. because it is classified as a drug. The U.S. is the only industrialized nation in the world that does not allow cultivation. All the hemp milk I will buy will be imported, making it more expensive than it needs to be. A few days ago, I posted about BVO, which has been banned in more than 100 countries, except the U.S. Also, many countries, except the U.S., have banned Red #40. I am completely lost when it comes to the choices the FDA has made regarding our food quality. The FDA refuses to ban BVO and Red #40, despite the fact that it knows of the numerous health risks associated with these additives, but bans the cultivation of hemp, which has numerous uses and health benefits, because it is classified as a drug. Yes, marijuana also comes from hemp, but the U.S. could regulate hemp cultivation just like it regulates everything else. I feel like when it comes to food quality, this country is completely a$$ backwards.
I'll step down from my soap box now.
