By Stephanie Chang, scientific dietitian at CHOC
Why is calcium essential?
Calcium is essentially the most ample important mineral within the human physique. It makes up the construction of bones and enamel. Calcium can also be current in bodily fluids, akin to blood, and is concerned in muscle motion, nerve perform, and blood clotting. Bones retailer calcium in case it’s wanted for physique features.
After delivery, infants get sufficient calcium from breast milk or toddler formulation. Since breast milk or toddler formulation needs to be the one meals for the primary 6 months of life, infants meet their calcium wants. At 6 months, infants can begin consuming meals excessive in calcium, however breast milk or formulation ought to present most of their diet. At 1 yr of age, cow milk or plant-based milks are normally the go-to alternative to interchange breast milk or formulation.
However what occurs if my youngster refuses cow milk?
There are many different calcium-rich and calcium-fortified choices. Calcium-rich meals have naturally occurring calcium. Examples embrace dairy merchandise, legumes, and a few greens, akin to broccoli, spinach, greens, swiss chard, and kale. Calcium fortified meals have calcium added through the manufacturing course of. Examples of calcium fortified meals embrace some cereals and breads, tofu, orange juice, and plant-based milks.
Whereas milk is a wonderful supply of calcium and a well-liked alternative amongst households, your youngster can eat sufficient calcium for robust bones with out consuming milk. By selecting different calcium wealthy and calcium fortified meals, your youngster can simply meet the Really helpful Dietary Allowance (RDA) for age.
Really helpful Dietary Allowances
| Age group | Calcium (mg/day) |
|---|---|
| Beginning – 6 months* | 200 |
| 6 months – 12 months* | 260 |
| 1-3 years | 700 |
| 4-8 years | 1,000 |
| 9-13 years | 1,300 |
| 14-18 years | 1,300 |
*Sufficient Consumption (not RDA)
Suggestions for selecting calcium-rich and calcium-fortified meals
When selecting calcium-fortified meals, it is extremely essential to learn the bundle or label. Not all cereals, tofu, orange juice, and plant-based milks are fortified.
| Tip | Particulars | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test the ingredient checklist | Calcium fortified meals will checklist one of many following: – Calcium carbonate – Calcium hydroxide – Calcium sulfate – Calcium chloride | These are chemical-sounding names, however they’re elements meals producers use so as to add calcium. They aren’t dangerous. |
| Test the packaging | Meals producers would possibly promote that the meals has calcium. Packaging will say: – “good supply of calcium” – “wonderful supply of calcium” | A “good” supply of calcium has not less than 10% of the each day worth or not less than 130 mg calcium. An “wonderful” supply has not less than 20% of the each day or not less than 260 mg calcium. |
| Test the diet details label | Search for meals that has not less than 10% of the each day worth for calcium. | See instance beneath. |
So how a lot meals does my youngster have to eat?
The desk beneath gives examples of what meals to decide on and the way a lot of that meals is required to satisfy the RDA. Unfold out these calcium meals selections all through the day. Your youngster ought to eat these with different meals throughout a meal. Keep in mind that kids lower than 1 yr of age will meet their calcium wants primarily from breast milk or formulation.
Meals selections for sooner or later to satisfy calcium wants
| Age group | Milk | No milk | No dairy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 years (Purpose 700 mg calcium per day) | 2 cups (16 oz) complete milk (600 mg) ½ cup Cheerios or Rice/corn Chex (43 mg) 1/3 cup cooked broccoli (25 mg) ¼ cup yogurt (75 mg) | 1 string cheese (200 mg) ½ cup yogurt (150 mg) 3 oz strawberry yogurt drink (130 mg) 1 cup Cheerios or rice/corn Chex (87 mg) 1/3 cup cooked broccoli (25 mg) 1 slice calcium fortified bread** (185 mg) | 1 cup calcium fortified almond milk (450 mg) 1/3 cup cooked broccoli (25 mg) 1 cup Cheerios or rice/corn Chex (87 mg) 1 oz calcium set tofu (45 mg) 1 slice calcium fortified bread** (185 mg) |
| 4-8 years (Purpose 1,000 mg calcium per day) | 2 cups (16 oz) low fats milk (600 mg 1 cup Cheerios or rice/corn Chex (87 mg) 2/3 cup cooked broccoli (50 mg) 1 cup yogurt (300 mg) ½ cup pinto beans (80 mg) | 1 string cheese (200 mg) 1 cup yogurt (300 mg) 1 cup Cheerios or rice/corn Chex (87 mg) 2/3 cup cooked broccoli (50 mg) 2 slices calcium fortified bread** (370 mg) | 1 cups calcium fortified almond milk (450 mg) 1 cup Cheerios or rice/corn Chex (87 mg) 1 cup pinto beans (80 mg) 2 oz calcium set tofu (90 mg) 2 slices calcium fortified bread** (370 mg) |
| 9-13 years & 14-18 years (Purpose 1,300 mg calcium per day) | 2 cups (16 oz) low fats milk (600 mg 1 string cheese (200 mg) 1 ½ cup Cheerios or rice/corn Chex (130 mg) 1 cup cooked broccoli (75 mg) 1 cup yogurt (300 mg) ½ cup pinto beans (80 mg) | 2 string cheese (400 mg) 1 cup yogurt (300 mg) 1 ½ cup Cheerios or rice/corn Chex (130 mg) 1 cup cooked broccoli (75 mg) ½ cup pinto beans (80 mg) 2 slices calcium fortified bread** (370 mg) | 2 cups calcium fortified almond milk (900 mg) 1 cup cooked broccoli (75 mg) 1 ½ cup Cheerios or rice/corn Chex (130 mg) 3 oz calcium set tofu (130 mg) ½ cup pinto beans (80 mg) |
**Examples of calcium fortified bread: Nature’s Personal white wheat or Sara Lee white made with complete grain
Supporting your youngster’s calcium and vitamin D wants — with or with out dairy
Calcium is a crucial mineral to assist kids develop robust bones. By making purposeful selections, you may meet your youngster’s calcium wants with or with out milk. You may also meet calcium wants with out dairy meals.
One other essential issue is vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the physique take up calcium throughout digestion and helps calcium construct robust bones. Converse along with your youngster’s main care doctor or dietitian about your youngster’s vitamin D wants. Calcium and vitamin D work collectively for bone well being. Selecting meals which might be good or wonderful sources of calcium is an effective way to achieve your youngster’s calcium objectives.
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Study extra about CHOC’s Medical Diet Program
At CHOC, we concentrate on offering a full continuum of pediatric diet providers, together with inpatient and outpatient providers, relying on our sufferers’ wants.