What do Mumsnetters think about the Oat and Soya Growing Up Drinks?
We put the new Alpro Oat Growing Up Drink and the Alpro Soya Growing Up Drink to the test with six Mumsnet parents and their children. Here’s what they thought.
Claire, 31, East Midlands
Two children aged two and five
"My two-and-a-half-year-old has CMPA. Our dietician recommended the Alpro Soya Growing Up Drink when she was one and we've stayed with it ever since. I'd thought about trying an oat alternative before, but never found one with the right level of calories, fat and minerals needed as a milk substitute for dairy-free children.
We tried the Alpro Oat Growing Up Drink on cereal first and I was very surprised that my fussy toddler didn't notice the difference from her normal soya. I then gave her some in a cup. The oat drink is less sweet and has a thinner texture than the soya so I was sure she'd refuse it, but she later asked for more!
I'm a big fan of both drinks because they're the only easily available dairy alternatives I've found that have enough calories and minerals for young children. My only criticism is that the soya version is quite sweet so I'll be looking to switch to the oat."
Sarah, 34, West Midlands
Two children aged two and four
“The Alpro Soya Growing Up Drink has been my go-to for a number of years. Having two young children who are intolerant to dairy with different symptoms, I was over the moon to find a product that they loved the taste of and that I trusted.
It gives me peace of mind knowing that it’s 100 percent plant-based with nothing artificial, offers a quality source of protein (as well as containing vitamins) and provides my kids with enough calcium. We’ve used it for bedtime drinks and throughout the day, adding it to recipes and cereal each morning. The children absolutely love the sweet taste it offers, and I’ve always loved that it’s UHT so I can take it on my travels and know I have a good supply of a milk-alternative drink for them wherever I go.
Having tried several dairy-free alternatives in the past, we’ve always come back to this one as it has the nicest taste and tailors to the needs of my young children the best. It’s fantastic that there’s now an oat alternative too.”
Ludivine, 35, South East
Two children aged one and two
“I’m interested in my kids trying plant-based alternatives as my son suffered from reflux and wind/constipation when he was younger, which was likely due to dairy in my diet. He’s been exclusively breastfed and, now that he’s turned one, I’d like to reduce breastfeeding and move onto a dairy-free alternative to cow's milk. My daughter has never had any issues with dairy, but I’m interested to see what she thinks of the alternatives.
The oat drink tastes nutty and is thinner in consistency to cow’s milk. We tried it in their cereal which they both seemed to enjoy but, when I offered it to my youngest, he didn’t drink much. We persevered and, after the second day, he drank it all. We tried the soya drink on cereal and in porridge which went down well, but DS seemed to prefer the soya to oat. Taste-wise, it’s much closer to cow's milk and sweeter than the oat.
Overall, the soya was more popular with all of us. But I’d recommend both as they’re fortified with the necessary vitamins and they’re a sustainable alternative.”