Similac Advance and Pro Advance are two variations of infant formulas developed by Similac. Both formulas are designed to provide complete nutrition for babies from birth through 12 months. While both formulas contain many of the same ingredients, there are some important differences between the two.
Ingredients
Similac Advance is designed to provide a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats for growth. It contains partially hydrolyzed whey protein, corn syrup solids, coconut oil, vegetable oils, and other vitamins and minerals. The formula also includes the probiotic L. reuteri, which is thought to help support the baby’s immune system.
Similac Pro Advance contains all the same ingredients as Similac Advance, with the addition of two key ingredients: 2’-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide and Prebiotics. 2’-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide is a prebiotic found naturally in breast milk that helps to promote a healthy immune system. Prebiotics are a type of dietary fiber that may help to promote a healthy digestive system.
Nutrition
Both Similac Advance and Pro Advance meet or exceed all infant formula nutrient requirements established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, there are some slight differences in their nutritional profiles.
Similac Advance has a higher protein content than Similac Pro Advance. It also contains a higher amount of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6, as well as more of the essential fatty acids DHA and ARA.
Similac Pro Advance has a higher level of Vitamin E and contains more prebiotics than Similac Advance. It also contains more of the prebiotic 2’-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide than Similac Advance.
Cost
Similac Pro Advance is typically more expensive than Similac Advance. This is because it contains more of the prebiotic 2’-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide, which is more expensive to produce.
Conclusion
Similac Advance and Pro Advance are two variations of infant formulas developed by Similac. While both formulas contain many of the same ingredients, there are some important differences between them. Similac Advance has a higher protein and vitamin content than Similac Pro Advance, while Similac Pro Advance has a higher content of Vitamin E and contains more prebiotics. Similac Pro Advance is typically more expensive than Similac Advance due to the additional ingredients.
Difference in Nutritional Content Between Similac Advance and Pro Advance
Similac Advance and Similac Pro Advance are two infant formulas that provide complete nutrition for babies from birth to 12 months of age. Both formulas are based on cow’s milk, fortified with additional nutrients and vitamins. While Similac Advance and Pro Advance both provide the same core nutrition, there are some key differences in their nutritional content.
Protein Content
Similac Advance contains whey-predominant protein, while Similac Pro Advance includes a combination of whey and casein proteins. Whey protein is more rapidly digested than casein, and is generally easier to digest for most infants. Similac Pro Advance is therefore recommended for babies who may have difficulty digesting whey proteins.
Fat Content
Similac Advance contains vegetable oil blend, including palm olein oil, coconut oil, soy oil, and high-oleic sunflower oil. Similac Pro Advance contains a blend of milk fat and vegetable oils, specifically palm olein oil, soy oil, and high-oleic sunflower oil. The milk fat in Pro Advance is a more natural source of fat than the vegetable oils in Advance, and provides linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that supports baby’s brain and eye development.
Prebiotics
Similac Advance contains a prebiotic blend of two oligosaccharides, while Similac Pro Advance contains a prebiotic blend of two oligosaccharides and a dual prebiotic blend of two galactooligosaccharides. Oligosaccharides are carbohydrates that are not broken down in the small intestine and instead are fermented in the large intestine, where they act as prebiotics to support the growth of beneficial bacteria. Galactooligosaccharides are types of prebiotics that are beneficial for baby’s digestive system, as well as for their immune system.