Calcium levels too low

seamoth
seamoth Posts: 69 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi
According to MFP, my calcium levels are WAY too low. I have full cream milk in my coffees (instant coffee with 50 ml milk x 4 per day), real butter on my oatcakes most mornings, and eat a smallish wedge of decent cheese most nights. Any advice on how I can increase the calcium levels without eating more of the foods just mentioned?
Thanks!

Replies

  • helen8328
    helen8328 Posts: 36 Member
    Skimmed milk actually has more calcium in it than full fat milk and less bad fats. Also if you check the nutritional info on the cheese and butter labels, you'll see that they contain little to none calcium in them as the calcium stays in the milk and whey when the fat is separated from the milk to make the butter and cheese.

    Green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and collard greens are also rich in calcium. Almonds are another good source and I personally love almond butter instead of peanut butter.

    It may also be worth taking a vitamin D supplement as this helps your body absorb calcium better.
  • seamoth
    seamoth Posts: 69 Member
    Helen, thanks for that info. I never knew that about full cream milk having less calcium than skimmed milk. Interesting. I have heard, however, that skimmed milk is full of artificial white colouring, as without it, once the cream and natural fat has been taken out, it would look like thin bluish tinged water......thats why I stick to the full cream.
    I will certainly take your advice re those veggies, though. Thanks again.
  • helen8328
    helen8328 Posts: 36 Member
    I didn't know about the dye put into skimmed milk so we've both learned something today :-). I'll be honest though I don't eat any dairy as it upsets my stomach. I drink either hemp or almond milk which are both good sources of calcium too. A 250ml glass of hemp milk provides 38% of your daily calcium requirements (from the label on the carton) and has essential fats omega 3 & 6 so it's a good option if you like the taste.
  • pennydreadful270
    pennydreadful270 Posts: 266 Member
    Yoghurt and soft cheese have the most calcium per portion. As has been said, the calcium is in the liquid part of the milk, so the best sources are the ones with a runnier consistency!
  • seamoth
    seamoth Posts: 69 Member
    I didn't know about the dye put into skimmed milk so we've both learned something today :-). I'll be honest though I don't eat any dairy as it upsets my stomach. I drink either hemp or almond milk which are both good sources of calcium too. A 250ml glass of hemp milk provides 38% of your daily calcium requirements (from the label on the carton) and has essential fats omega 3 & 6 so it's a good option if you like the taste.
    Thanks for that tip! I'll give almond milk a try.
  • seamoth
    seamoth Posts: 69 Member
    Yoghurt and soft cheese have the most calcium per portion. As has been said, the calcium is in the liquid part of the milk, so the best sources are the ones with a runnier consistency!
    Good news! So brie, really ripe and soft, would be rich in calcium! ?
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,252 Member
    Grind egg shells to a powder. 1tsp is about 1000mg's and it mixes easily into anything.
  • mom24uk
    mom24uk Posts: 54 Member
    Good tip about the egg shells - thank you
  • sfbaumgarten
    sfbaumgarten Posts: 912 Member
    My doc advised me to take two Tums daily as a calcium supplement. I use the extra strength stuff and it's 10cals for 600mg calcium.
  • tmm_0127
    tmm_0127 Posts: 545 Member
    I'd suggest maybe adding in a good supplement - just remember to either also take a vitamin d tablet or get a calcium tablet that already has vitamin d in it. Vitamin d helps your body absorb the calcium.

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