Is fortified soy milk ok for kids over 2?

What the evidence says

Yes, fortified soy milk (soy beverage with added calcium and vitamin D) is fine for kids once they turn 2. Health Canada says that after age two, fortified soy beverage can be used as your child's main milk source instead of cow's milk.

The soy milk should be plain, unflavoured, and full-fat, not a sweetened or reduced-fat version. The Canadian Paediatric Society notes that two cups of fortified soy beverage gives about 13 grams of protein, close to the 16 grams from the same amount of cow's milk, so it's a reasonable swap nutrition-wise.

This is different from other plant milks like almond, rice, or oat drinks. Those are much lower in protein and are not considered suitable milk replacements even after age 2, unless a dietitian has helped plan the rest of the child's diet carefully.

In the United States, a joint statement from pediatric and nutrition groups agrees that fortified soy milk is nutritionally similar enough to cow's milk to count as an acceptable choice for young children.

If your child has a soy allergy, is on a vegan diet, or you're unsure whether their overall diet is balanced, it's worth checking in with a doctor or registered dietitian to make sure they're still getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and protein from other foods too.