Key Differences Table Between Similac Soy and Alimentum
| Features/Aspect | Enfamil Soy (ProSobee) | Similac Alimentum |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal For | Babies with lactose sensitivity or vegetarian diets | Babies with severe food allergies and colic due to protein sensitivities |
| Type | Soy-based, lactose-free formula | Hypoallergenic formula with extensively hydrolyzed protein |
| Primary Protein Source | Soy protein isolate | Extensively hydrolyzed casein from cow’s milk |
| Carbohydrate Source | Corn syrup solids | Corn maltodextrin |
| Fats and Oils | Palm olein, coconut, soy, high oleic sunflower oils | High oleic safflower oil, MCTs, soy oil, and Meg-3® oil (DHA) |
| Nutritional Support | Fortified with DHA, vitamins, and minerals | Enriched with DHA, ARA, vitamins, and minerals, including 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) |
| Ease of Digestion | Designed for easy digestion in babies with milk protein sensitivity | Designed for rapid relief in babies with allergies to cow’s milk protein |
| Vegetarian/Kosher | Yes, suitable for vegetarian or Kosher diets | Not specified |
| Prebiotics/Probiotics | None specified | 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) HMO for immune health |
| Specific Benefits | Lactose-free, alleviates discomfort associated with milk protein sensitivity | Hypoallergenic, supports immune health, often improves symptoms within 24 hours |
This article will compare two very different formulas for sensitive or allergic babies: Enfamil Soy (ProSobee) vs Alimentum.
We will analyze their ingredients and composition to help you make the best decision for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
***Important: Soy formulas are not recommended for infants younger than six months of age due to estrogen content and should not be used to treat CMPA until a pediatrician gives the okay.
Our Short Answer
The short answer is that Similac Alimentum is a better choice in the vast majority of cases for the following reasons:
- It uses extensively hydrolyzed protein, which means it is workable even for infants with severe allergies
- This protein is more bioavailable than soy protein.
- It uses maltodextrin instead of corn syrup solids, which is better
- Does not have palm olein like Enfamil
- Contains 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), a very beneficial prebiotic
The only reason to choose Enfamil ProSobee would be the price and if you want to follow a vegetarian diet (although babies should not be involved in this at this young age).
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Enfamil ProSobee is a soy-based, lactose-free formula for milk sensitivities, offering complete nutrition with DHA for cognitive development, suitable for vegetarian or Kosher diets.
Similac Alimentum, designed for severe food allergies and colic, features hypoallergenic casein hydrolysate and 2′-fucosyllactose (HMO) for immune health, often improving symptoms within 24 hours.
Enfamil Soy (ProSobee)
Enfamil ProSobee is part of the family that prides itself as a soy-based, lactose-free alternative formulated for babies with sensitivities to milk-based products. Its primary ingredient is soy protein isolate, complemented by a blend of vegetable oils for essential fatty acids. This formula is embraced by parents who opt for vegetarian nutrition or those following Kosher diets.
But beyond catering to dietary preferences or restrictions, Enfamil ProSobee aims to provide complete nutrition for babies during their first 12 months. Its dairy-free composition can alleviate common discomforts like fussiness and gas often associated with milk protein sensitivity.
Including DHA supports cognitive brain development, which is crucial during the early stages of your baby’s growth.
Similac Alimentum
Similac Alimentum takes a slightly different approach. It’s designed for infants with food allergies and colic symptoms due to protein sensitivities. The foundation of this hypoallergenic formula is a casein hydrolysate – a milk-derived protein broken down into smaller parts to minimize allergenic potential.
What sets Similac Alimentum apart is its content of 2′-fucosyllactose (2’-FL), a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), which supports immune health. Although derived from milk, 2’-FL HMO does not contain milk protein that can typically cause sensitivities.
For parents dealing with distressing colic due to protein sensitivity, Similac Alimentum offers hope by promising improvements within 24 hours for most babies in clinical studies. This accelerated relief can be a game-changer for both infants and parents seeking respite from persistent cries and discomfort.
With additional nutrients like ARA and DHA—integral to eye and brain development—alongside a spectrum of vitamins and minerals similar to other Similac formulas, Alimentum strives to provide comprehensive nutrition while addressing special dietary needs.
Nutritional Composition
Enfamil ProSobee uses soy protein isolate, suitable for dairy intolerance and vegetarians, while Similac Alimentum features extensively hydrolyzed casein for babies with cow’s milk allergies.
Alimentum uses corn maltodextrin for carbohydrates, preferable over ProSobee’s corn syrup solids.
In fats, Alimentum doesn’t use palm olein and includes MCTs for easy digestion, making it a better choice in terms of fat content.
Protein Content
Enfamil ProSobee (Soy): The protein in Enfamil ProSobee is sourced from soy protein isolate, making up 15% of the formula’s composition. This plant-derived protein suits infants who can’t tolerate dairy or parents looking for a vegetarian option. Soy provides essential amino acids for growth and development, but there are concerns about potential allergens or phytoestrogens in soy products. It is essential to consult with a pediatrician if you have specific concerns regarding soy proteins.
Similac Alimentum: The protein component in Similac Alimentum comes from casein hydrolysate. This form of milk protein has undergone extensive processing to break down the proteins into smaller pieces, significantly reducing allergen potential. This makes it suitable for babies with allergies related to intact proteins found in cow’s milk. Although derived from milk, this extensively hydrolyzed protein minimizes the risk of allergic reactions while fulfilling an infant’s protein requirements.
The main difference between soy protein isolate and extensively hydrolyzed cow’s milk protein is that soy protein is less bioavailable than milk protein, meaning the body is less efficient at absorbing and utilizing it.
The only reason we see for using soy protein is price and suitability for vegetarian families.
Learn more: Soy in Formula | Hydrolyzed Formulas
Carbohydrate Content
Enfamil ProSobee (Soy): Enfamil ProSobee primarily utilizes corn syrup solids as its carbohydrate source, constituting 55% of its formula. Carbohydrates are crucial as they are a primary energy source for infants.
Similac Alimentum: For Similac Alimentum, the main source of carbohydrates is corn maltodextrin, accounting for 39% of its formulation. Maltodextrin is easily digestible and used in hypoallergenic formulas as it is less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Alimentum gets the upper hand in carbohydrates thanks to using maltodextrin instead of syrup solids. Maltodextrin has less sugar content, is less allergenic and has a milder flavor, which is preferable for a formula.
Learn more: Corn Syrup in Formulas | Maltodextrin in Formulas
Fats and Oils
Enfamil ProSobee (Soy): Fats in Enfamil ProSobee come from a mix of vegetable oils, including palm olein, coconut, soy, and high oleic sunflower oils. These fats supply essential fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), contributing to overall health and brain development.
Similac Alimentum: The fats in Similac Alimentum are sourced from a blend that includes high oleic safflower oil, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), soy oil, and Meg-3® oil, which is a safe source of DHA-supportive omega-3 fatty acids. Like Enfamil ProSobee, Similac Alimentum supplies critical fatty acids conducive to growth and neurodevelopment.
Alimentum wins again thanks to not using palm olein in its fat blend. It also adds MCTs, fat molecules that are easily digestible and absorbed.
Learn more: Palm Oil in Formula | Vegetable Oils in Formula
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Including probiotics and prebiotics in infant formula can play a significant role in an infant’s digestive health, as they are key to developing a healthy microbiome. Probiotics are beneficial live bacteria, while prebiotics are indigestible fibers that serve as food for these bacteria.
Among the formulas we’re reviewing, Similac Alimentum adds 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL), a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), which acts similarly to a prebiotic. It contributes to immune function by nourishing beneficial gut bacteria.
Enfamil ProSobee, on the other hand, doesn’t highlight the presence of added probiotics or prebiotics in its ingredients.
Best Places to Buy ProSobee and Alimentum
Enfamil ProSobee
Similac Alimentum
What are the Best Alternatives to Enfamil Soy and Similac Alimentum?
If your baby has allergies, exploring all available options and talking to a pediatrician is crucial. Here you have other alternatives to ProSobee and Alimentum worth exploring:
Similac Isomil: This is another soy-based formula designed for fussiness and gas due to lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. As part of the Similac family, it includes essential nutrients like DHA for brain development but does not contain additional probiotics or prebiotics. *Read: Isomil vs ProSobee | Isomil vs Alimentum
Nutramigen: Also produced by Enfamil, Nutramigen is an extensively hydrolyzed formula designed for babies with allergies to cow’s milk protein. It provides an alternative to Similac Alimentum with added LGG®, a widely-studied probiotic that supports digestive health. *Read: ProSobee vs Nutramigen | Alimentum vs Nutramigen
Hipp HA: Our personal favorite when looking for organic options. Hipp HA is a hypoallergenic formula made using hydrolyzed proteins, which reduces allergen contents. Not only is it organic but it also includes both prebiotics and probiotics which supports not just nutrition but the baby’s gut flora as well. However, while Hipp HA is suitable for most young ones with sensitivities, it is not appropriate for babies with diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) due to its partial hydrolyzation process that still may contain allergenic elements from cow’s milk. *Read: Hipp HA vs Alimentum
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Enfamil Soy and Similac Alimentum has helped you make an informed decision for your little one.
If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to comment below or contact us at [email protected]. We’ll gladly help you and answer in less than 24 hours.
Happy feeding!
We’re Maria and Alberto, a married couple and educators who are nutrition enthusiasts. Even before we had kids, we were already crazy about nutrition.
We’d read scientific articles, watch videos from nutritionists, and spend hours listening to nutrition podcasts.
Today, we continue doing this, but in a different way, as we’ve learned to sift through the noise and trends. Nutrition, like any other field of knowledge, the more you read and learn, the more you develop a comprehensive understanding of reality, and that’s what has happened to us.
Before having our first child, we focused on learning everything we could about child nutrition, using the same techniques we had already employed, backed by our extensive knowledge in nutrition.
Our mission is to help other parents with their children’s nutrition, to help them become the best versions of themselves.
If we are what we eat and drink, which is absolutely true, let’s do it right!
