How to Address a Calcium Deficit
Calcium continues to be one of the nutrients of concern for many Americans. Individuals continue to fall short of the recommended intake of this very essential mineral. Many choose to avoid dairy and increase consumption of other calcium containing foods.
What we need to remember is that milk, cheese and yogurt are some of the most calcium-rich foods available, so it's more difficult to meet dietary calcium recommendations without eating them. Few non-dairy foods contain as much naturally occurring calcium and essential nutrients as dairy foods do. Milk, cheese and yogurt are excellent sources of calcium and together provide eight other essential nutrients including potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents). While calcium-fortified beverages provide an alternative source of calcium, they do not have the same nutritional package as milk, cheese and yogurt.*
Some individuals will choose supplements over consuming calcium rich foods. However supplements are supplements, not substitutes for nutritious foods. A calcium pill shouldn't take the place of calcium-rich foods because foods provide more than a single nutrient. Milk, cheese and yogurt are excellent sources of calcium and together provide eight other essential nutrients including potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin.
