Calcium Sources and Supplements for Kids

If your child is lactose intolerant or has casein sensitivity, he will be needing alternative calcium supplies to ensure normal development and strong bones. This article intends to provide some tips on going about this endeavour.

Before perusing grocery stalls and shelves, it is essential to know your child’s specific calcium needs. This is often dictated by age. To illustrate, kids aged one to three years old require 500 mg of this mineral daily. Those who are between the ages four and eight years old need 800 mg of calcium. Lastly those who are nine to eighteen must get 1300 mg.

Consider milk alternatives as an excellent source of calcium for kids and toddlers. For example, rice milk serves as a great substitute for sensitive little tummies. However, be sure to check the nutritional information on the product. This is important because calcium content can vary based on brand and flavour.

Serve food that helps promote strong teeth and bones. Broccoli and other types of green vegetables provide a great deal of calcium. Still, you must be careful that fibre and other nutritional content is not sufficient as to prevent the mineral from being completely absorbed by the body. In addition, beans and nuts can help you meet your child’s daily requirement, but should not be their main source because they come in very meager amounts.

There are also food items that has calcium specifically added to meet nutritional needs. Calcium enriched bread is a perfect example. Usually, a single serving can account for a third of the average calcium requirement. Furthermore, calcium packed orange juice also serves as a great supplement.