Soy Milk Shelf Life?

I just wanted to let you know that a lot of Dr's are now advising against soy milk for children. It contains phyto-estrogens (plant estrogen) and also interferes with iron absorption - a necessary mineral for babies and toddlers to make blood cells! The only soy that should be consumed by people is fermented soy. My son drinks rice milk fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Try hemp milk, oat milk or rice milk. If your daughter has no nut allergies you could try almond milk. Its higher in protein than rice and oat. Children can be perfectly healthy without drinking cow's milk or soy milk. Good Luck!

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Hi L.,

I also use Silk but my carton says 7-10 days once opened (I just looked, so maybe different flavor?). A Sharpie works great to write the date right on the cap/carton. You can also buy soy (and other) alternative milks in the smaller cartons (1 quart). Those are handy too in the sense that they don't need to be cold prior to opening. We go through so much that I buy at least 4 1/2 gallons a week but also keep a few on the quarts in the pantry so that I never have to make a run to the store just for milk! Sorry I don't know what it smells like or looks like once it's gone bad...we go through a half gallon almost every day here.

You didn't ask, but if I may offer my two cents about flavor. I know lots of Mom's buy the 'very vanilla'. It's like a milkshake it's so sweet! Point being that you are setting your kids tiny taste buds to want over-the-top sweetness...not a good habit now or for life. It also makes it hard to use in recipes such as mac n' cheese or mashed potatoes (providing you need to convert all those to soy for her). Do everyone a favor and get either plain or just regular vanilla.

As for the Dr.'s recommending no soy. Two thoughts there--calcium and history. Many of the alternatives (almond, rice) are really lacking in calcium and other vitamins and minerals. Please compare the labels carefully. One of the reasons I went with soy for myself and kids is that it provides so much (better than cow's milk in many ways too). As for people freaking out about naturally occurring estrogen...my Dr. said it's not enough to cause problems (for my girl or boy...I asked specifically about this) and he pointed out that in many places of the world (think Asia) that has been their primary source for a long, long time. And they eat lots more (tofu and soybeans). Everyone's just fine : - )

Good luck!
R.

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The soymilk that I used states that it should be used within 7-10 days of opening. My girls also do not drink alot of milk. So I buy it at costco in the 1 quart size you get 12 quarts and they do not require refrigeration till they are open. I have found this easier that having to run to the store when they want a glass of soy milk. This product is organic vanilla soymilk and is a kirkland product.

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Hi L.,

Experts are educating us to not drink too much soy as it mimics estrogen. It will not support her reproductive system. I would put her on Raw milk not pasturized milk.

If you want a healthy program for her let me know and I can put something together for you.

Have a Happy Holiday.

N. Marie

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Once opened, soy milk has a shelf life of 5-7 days. It says that on my carton... I buy Silk. If you leave it in the frig once you have opened it for some time it does curdle. Maybe you should get several smaller containers of it.

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it's good for 7-10 days (refrigerated) after you open it

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Soy milk only lasts two weeks after opening it. The neat thing is that they have soy milk in the non-refrigerated aisle in smaller boxes that you can buy and you don't have to worry about the expiration until you actually open the box, then you have to put it in the fridge and it lasts 10 days. Vanilla Soy is really yummy and that is what my son drank. You can also use it in your instant mashed potatoes.

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I know that only one other person mentioned this, but soy is so, so bad for you. Google it, just type in soy, and all of the research is there. In addition to all of the estrogen, it also releases a natural chemical that prevents the body from absorbing calcium, magnesium and a few other important minerals that our bodies need. If your daughter does have a sensitivity try goats milk. A lot easier to digest, but it isn't as sweet, so you may want to sweeten it until she gets used to the taste. Good luck!

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Hi,

I didn't read all of the responses, but have you thought about goat milk? My five year old and 13 month old twins are on goat milk. Soy is not so great - it could be genetically modified. Currently, the US FDA does not require disclosure if a food has been genetically modified. Also, you could do raw milk. I bought some for the first time the other day and enjoyed it. There is more information about raw milk at mercola.com. Also, there is a book called the "Raw milk revolution" which might help you make the choice.

Hope this helps.

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Soy milk lasts about 7-10 days in the fridge. Silk organic vanilla is great. It is a good idea to offer alternatives like hemp and almond milk. That said, kids don't need to drink milk at at all. Water is best.

Dairy is detrimental to our health in many ways. I recommend reading The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell. A researcher at Cornell University for over 4 decades, he has conducted the broadest and most in-depth study of human nutrition ever done. He has shown that animal protein, specifically casein (the protein in cow's milk) is the cause of many diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disease and more. You're doing a great job giving your daughter soy milk as a healthy alternative. Here are a couple of references to check out:

http://www.pcrm.org/health/prevmed/strong_bones.html

http://www.pcrm.org/health/prevmed/building_bones.html

1 mom found this helpful

Hi L.,

I used boxed soy milk with both my kids for upset stomachs too. I believe it's 7-10 days after opening. You're right-there's no bad smell. You'll know it's bad when you pour it out and it's chunky. My daughter grew out of her milk sensitivity by about age 3-4, my 4 year old son hasn't transitioned yet to regular milk (he's actually on rice milk and his stomach is doing well with that). Good luck with everything! - Kim

In response to the phyto-estrogen post, I believe organic soy milk (made from organic soy beans, not processed) does not contain the "bad" estrogen. I do not know that much on the subject but it is something to consider.

Contact the manufacturer.

It lasts a really long time--I use Silk to put in my coffee, but not to drink by the glass, and I've never had it go bad, even though I drink just a little each day.

dear L. the soy milk usually has a date best used by like milk .S.