calcium and planning for pregnancy

[smb106]

So my husband and I are planning on starting a family this summer. I had an appointment with my OGBYN to figure out what I needed to do and be aware of. I was a littler nervous what his reaction would be with me being a raw vegan (100%).

He totally supported it. He did suggest that i consult with a vegan dietician to make sure that my calcium intake was okay.

What did everyone do about calcium while planning for pregnancy? Does almond milk have calcium?

I also started taking folic acid supplements.

Thanks for any and all advice

[lanettasmouse]

sesame seeds are very high in calcium and you can make a seed milk using those.

[Serendipity]

Useful site to check the content of different foods is http://www.nutritiondata.com, if you click on 'Foods By Nutrient' you can then specify calcium and which type of foodstuff, or you can just enter a food that you want to check in the box at top of page on right.

The information is almost overwhelming, but excellent in that it covers different aspects of food preparation raw/steamed/boiled/etc. I don't know how accurate it all is, as I've only recently found this site, but check against others like http://www.smarterfitter.com/foods. NutritionData also shows amino acids, carbs/fats/protein ratios and lots more.

Kale, parsley, chard are good sources of calcium from greens, spinach also, but I'm currently checking about this as it has been said that the oxalic acid present in spinach interferes with calcium absorption, but suspect this is only when cooked ... still needs confirmation.

Almonds are good source of calcium and as mentioned sesame seeds are excellent.

Green smoothies are a great way to get a lot of greens that would require a lot of 'bunny munching' to get through otherwise :)

[SmilingRawDancer]

I'd go BIG on juicing...I mean, it doesn't HURT to take a calcium supplement IMO, but....green juices are the BEST way to get tons of natural calcium in one - two doses.

I'd just try juicing 1 or 2 bunches of kale and collards and swiss chard a day with oranges and 1/2 lemon (I like the citrus, it cuts the green flavor). I get 500 mg+ per day this way :)

Good luck!

[coco]

all great suggestions. lots of green leafy veg is excellent.
unhulled sesame seeds are loaded with calcium, but they also contain oxalic acid, which inhibits calcium absorption
http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/healthy-food-antioxidant-eyeballs.html
Dr. Fuhrman: Regular sesame seeds are hulled, the outer brown cover it removed and along with it 90 percent of the calcium and other minerals. It is like comparing white bread to whole wheat. Brown and black sesame seeds are almost equal nutritionally but the important thing is neither has the hull removed.



before taking any supplement, including the folic acid, i personally would ask for a blood work up to show my levels. IF i was low in something i would try to address it with diet first because i don't believe in taking supplements if they aren't needed. they aren't real food, aren't raw, and often are made entirely of artificial chemicals. that said, i do take them when i feel them neccessary but i treat them as i would any medicine and only use them when i have to.
that's my personal feeling about supplements though, every one must do what they think is best.