A Day in the Life: How a Vegan Eats Her Daily Calcium


Updated 10/14/11 11:51 AM · Posted by · 4 comments

How Vegans Get Enough Calcium

I was vegan for six years after college, and if one more person asked me how I got enough calcium, I was going to scream! While it's true that dairy products are great sources of this valuable nutrient, it's not the only source. Follow a vegan throughout her day and find out how she gets well over the 1,000 milligrams of calcium needed each day. Source: Thinkstock Read more

C&J Nutritionists' Advice on Calcium-Blocking Foods


Updated 01/12/12 9:41 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

Foods That Block Calcium Absorption

Willow Jarosh and Stephanie Clarke are registered dietitians and founders of C&J Nutrition. We consulted them to see if certain foods or beverages prevent calcium absorption and what you need to know to fulfill your daily dose. FitSugar: Can food or beverages block calcium absorption, and why does this occur? C&J Nutrition: Yes, certain foods/beverages can inhibit calcium absorption. Read more

7 Dairy-Free, Plant-Based Calcium Sources


Updated 07/27/11 12:38 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

Nondairy Calcium Sources

The average woman requires 1,000-1,300 mg of calcium a day; and, while a serving of milk, cheese, or yogurt are easy ways to digest calcium, what if you are vegan or lactose-intolerant? Here are some unexpected plant-based foods that will help you load up on your calcium intake. Curly Kale – About 3/4 cup of cooked curly kale offers 143 mg calcium. Okra – Stir fry about eight okra for a dose Read more

The Vitamin Deficiency Breastfeeding Moms Should Watch Out For


Updated 04/02/11 7:10 PM · Posted by · 3 comments

Vegan Mom's Baby Dies Because of Vitamin Deficiency

Mom's choice of what to eat is important both during pregnancy and after baby has arrived. But while everyone warns her of the perils of drinking or caving into her cravings while pregnant, some moms are surprised to find out just how important their diets are when it's time to breastfeed. A vegan French couple recently found out the sad way. The lack of nutrients in mom's milk meant that their Read more

Invest in Your Bone Bank, and Do It Soon


Updated 10/14/11 11:50 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

How to Have Healthy Bones

On my last visit to my doctor, I was surprised to find out that bone strength peaks in women by the age of 35. After that, the body stops producing new bone and gradually loses bone mass. And in certain cases, bone loss can result in osteoporosis. Not only can osteoporosis result in a reduction of height, it leaves the body more susceptible to bone fractures. My doctor says that it's extremely Read more

The Vitamin D Weight Loss Connection


Updated 05/18/10 7:05 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 11 comments

Calcium and Vitamin D Linked to Healthy Weight Loss

We all (hopefully) know by now the secret to losing weight is to burn more calories than you consume. But eating the right foods doesn't hurt either. High fiber filling foods are a dieter's best friend, and a new Johns Hopkins/Bloomberg School for Public Health study highlights the importance of calcium and vitamin D for weight loss. The college student study participants who came closest to Read more

Bone Up on Your Calcium Supplements


Updated 10/14/11 11:49 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 11 comments

Bone Up on Your Calcium Supplements

While eating calcium is better for your bones, it can be quite a challenge to eat the recommended 1,000 mg daily. That's where calcium supplements can lend a healthy hand. Both calcium carbonate, found in Tums, and calcium citrate in Citracal work well as supplements. However, calcium carbonate is best absorbed with food and generally has more calcium per tablet, which means it is more cost Read more

How to Eat 1,000 mg of Calcium a Day


Updated 05/29/09 4:44 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

How to Eat 1,000 mg of Calcium a Day

Calcium does the body good. Not only does it build strong bones and teeth, it aids with muscle function and helps keep your heart beating regularly. While there are plenty of food sources for this bone-building mineral other than dairy, I am not sure I have been meeting the recommended daily intake (RDI) of 1,000 milligrams. Supplements are always an option, but getting calcium from food sources Read more

Calcium, Iron, and Fiber — Oh My!


Updated 05/20/09 1:53 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 2 comments

Calcium, Iron, and Fiber — Oh My!

We eat for our health and to feed our our bones, blood, and bowels, but some nutrients just don't play well with others. Take calcium and iron for instance. Calcium can reduce your ability to absorb iron by as much as 50 percent. However, calcium only interferes with non-heme iron, which comes from plant-based foods, not with heme iron, found in meat. This interplay between calcium and iron is Read more

7 Foods For Strong Bones


Updated 10/14/11 11:49 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 1 comment

Foods For Strong Bones

Foods high in calcium and vitamin D are essential for building strong bones. The RDI of calcium for women is 1,000 mg a day and for vitamin D, it's 200 to 400 IU. Here are five foods to include in your diet to improve your bone density, which will prevent osteoporosis. Source Read more