You probably heard "drink your milk" all the time from
your parents when you were a kid, and you knew it was good for you.
But now you may opt for sodas or sports drinks, and other than
adding a splash to your morning Wheaties, you don't give much
thought to milk.
But your parents were right to make you drink milk when you were
little. It's loaded with calcium, a mineral vital for building
strong bones and teeth.
Why Do I Need Calcium?
Bones grow rapidly during adolescence, and teens need enough
calcium to build strong bones and fight bone loss later in life.
But many don't get the recommended daily amount of calcium. In
addition, people who smoke or drink soda, caffeinated beverages, or
alcohol may get even less calcium because those
substances interfere with the way the body absorbs and uses
calcium.
Bone calcium begins to decrease in young adulthood and people
gradually lose bone density as they age - particularly women.
Teens, especially girls, whose diets don't provide the
nutrients to build bones to their maximum potential are at greater
risk of developing the bone disease osteoporosis, which increases
the risk of fractures from weakened bones.
Calcium also plays an important role in muscle contraction,
transmitting messages through the nerves, and the release of
hormones. If people aren't getting enough calcium in their
diet, the body takes calcium from the bones to ensure normal cell
function, which can lead to weakened bones.
If you got enough calcium and physical activity when you were a
kid and continue to do so as a teen, you'll enter your adult
years with the strongest bones possible.
How Much Do I Need and Where Can I Get It?
Teen guys and girls need 1,300 mg (milligrams) of calcium each
day.
Get it from:
-
Dairy products.
Low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese are good sources
of calcium.
-
Veggies.
You'll also find calcium in broccoli and dark green, leafy
vegetables (especially collard and turnip greens, kale, and bok
choy).
-
Soy foods.
Turn to calcium-fortified (or "calcium-set") tofu, soy
milk, tempeh, soy yogurt, and cooked soybeans (edamame).
-
Calcium-fortified foods.
Look for calcium-fortified orange juice, soy or rice milk,
breads, and cereal.
-
Beans.
You can get decent amounts of calcium from baked beans, navy
beans, white beans, and others.
-
Canned fish.
You're in luck if you like sardines and canned salmon with
bones.
Working Calcium Into Your Diet
Looking for ways to up your dietary calcium intake? Here are
some easy ones:
- Put some cheddar in your omelet.
- Pack a yogurt in your lunch.
- Add white beans to your favorite soups.
- Add a slice of American, Swiss, or provolone to
sandwiches.
- Use whole-grain soft-taco shells or tortillas to make
burritos or wraps. Fill them with eggs and cheese for breakfast;
turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and light dressing for lunch;
and beans, salsa, taco sauce, and cheese for dinner.
- Create mini-pizzas by topping whole-wheat English muffins or
bagels with pizza sauce and low-fat mozzarella or soy
cheese.
- Try whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese as an afternoon
treat.
- Dig into chili with red beans and cheese.
- Eat low-fat or fat-free frozen yogurt topped with fruit.
- Create parfaits with layers of plain yogurt, fruit, and
whole-grain cereal.
- You're never too old to enjoy a glass of ice-cold milk
with a couple of cookies or graham crackers.
If You're Lactose Intolerant
Teens who are lactose intolerant don't have enough of the
intestinal enzyme lactase that helps digest the sugar (lactose) in
dairy products, and may have gas, bloating, cramps, or diarrhea
after drinking milk or eating dairy products.
Fortunately, there are low-lactose and lactose-free dairy
products available, as well as lactase drops that can be added to
dairy products and tablets that can be taken to make dairy products
tolerable. Hard, aged cheeses (such as cheddar) are also lower in
lactose, and yogurts that contain active cultures are easier to
digest and much less likely to cause lactose problems.
If You're a Vegetarian
It can be a challenge to get enough calcium in a vegetarian diet
that does not include dairy, but you can enjoy good sources of
calcium such as dark green, leafy vegetables, broccoli, chickpeas,
and calcium-fortified products, including orange juice, soy and
rice drinks, and cereals.
Other Considerations for Building Bones
-
Vitamin D
is essential for calcium absorption, so it's important to get
enough of this nutrient too. Made by the body when the skin is
exposed to sunlight, vitamin D is also found in fortified dairy
and other products, fish, and egg yolks.
-
Exercise
is very important to bone health. Weight-bearing exercises - such
as jumping rope, jogging, and walking - can help develop and
maintain strong bones. In fact, current scientific evidence
suggests that for teens, exercise may be even more strongly
linked to better bone health than calcium intake.
Although it's best to get the calcium you need through a
calcium-rich diet, sometimes it may not be possible. Discuss
calcium supplements with your doctor if you're concerned that
you're not getting enough.
Reviewed by:
Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: June 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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