HEALTH

 

Though you might not think about it often, calcium is a necessary part of any diet. A super important element found in many foods, calcium is most prevalent in vegetables and dairy products, which is why your parents might have given you lots of milk when you were younger. While it's very easy to forget about it, calcium is actually on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines. It's so crucial because the body needs calcium for strong bones and teeth.

Young girls that don't get enough calcium are at a particularly high risk for osteoporosis once they get older, which is a condition that makes it much easier for bones to be fractured. Signs of calcium deficiency include muscle cramps, spasms or weakness, but most of the time people don't experience any symptoms at all, which makes it difficult to catch early.

Here are a few easy things to do to make sure that you're getting enough calcium:

1. Try a yummy salmon recipe.
Salmon is not only rich in calcium, but you can also make it in a myriad of different ways. Whether you like it with a balsamic glaze or just a spritz of lemon juice, you'll get tons of nutrients that contribute to bone health. Here's a comprehensive list of 50 (!!) different recipes to try.

2. Avoid soft drinks and sodas.
As tempting as it can be, drinking a lot of soda actually takes calcium away from your bones, which can undo all of your efforts.

3. Add a cup of oatmeal to your yogurt.
Oatmeal is a great source of calcium for people that are lactose-intolerant or vegan, because it contains no milk or animal products, and can be included in a bunch of different meals. Add it to your breakfast, your mid-day snack or you could even bake some oatmeal cookies for a sweet, calcium-filled treat. (Most yogurts are full of calcium, too.)

4. Eat a kale or spinach salad with lunch.
Vegetables don't exactly remind one of the milk that we're used to associating with calcium, but they're amazing for your bones, too. Check out these recipes.

5. Take a look at some of GL's creative ways to eat pumpkin for breakfast. 
Pumpkin is another calcium-rich superfood, and you'll also get plenty of fiber and vitamins.

Did you learn something new about calcium? Let us know in the comments!  

Photo credit: Instagram.

by Bridget Curley | 5/7/2017