Where can I get it, and why do we need it?
Where can I get it?
Our office fruit delivery service offers a range of fruits with calcium such as oranges, tangerines and kiwifruit and if you have rhubarb growing in your garden, even better. A long with stating which fruits you do and don’t like, businesses are able to take advantage of our office milk delivery service so they are never caught short.
Of course dairy products like cow’s milk, yoghurt and cheeses are the main contributors to calcium in most people’s diet, but a lot of people aren’t aware of tofu and leafy greens also offer large quantities of calcium.
Who needs it most?
Calcium is essential for bone growth and bone health throughout life. From about 4 years onwards both males and females need around 1000mg a day which roughly equates to 1 can of salmon, a tub of yoghurt, a cup of cooked spinach and a serving of baked beans.
However, by 51+ years, women need 1300mg each day whereas men only require this much when they reach 71+ years. Hopefully, by then ladies we have stopped worrying about our hips and care more about our bones!
Why we need it?
Besides giving us strong bones and teeth, calcium acts as a cellular cement for bones, is used by nerves and muscles (helps prevent cramp), and contributes to proper blood clotting.
If you don’t get enough calcium in your diet, your body may borrow what it needs from your bones. This is OK for a time, but if your body continues to take hefty calcium withdrawals from your bone bank this can lead to lead to osteoporosis.
Incredibly similar to how a bank mortgage can cripple you isn’t it?
What if I don’t like dairy products?
The good news for people who can’t have dairy or who just don’t like milk there are many non-dairy sources of calcium.
Reach for your canned salmon, sardines, broccoli, almonds and baked beans which are very high in calcium as well as protein. Plus, there are many foods now which are calcium-fortified such as calcium-fortified soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, orange juice, cranberry juice and some breakfast cereals. Watch out for sugary versions, though.
