Where AM I getting my calcium from?

[kayla]

Yes, I've searched some other threads for calcium rich foods. However, the vast majority of them are vegetables and I simply have not been able to keep them down; even mixed with fruit in smoothies has me heaving and vomiting into the sink. blech :eek:

Anyways, I finally told my mom I had quite an interest in raw foods and she was thrilled except that she is absolutely NOT ok with me not drinking milk. Now, I don't live with her, but I do want her blessing on this, I am just not prepared to answer this calcium question since I'm not eating as many greens as I should be.

Now, I know that almonds/almond butter has a lot of calcium in it, but I also know that it provides protein which I read seeps calcium from the bones (or something of the like...) So, is this still an appropriate source to get calcium from or does the protein in it couteract it? Or...am I totally wrong about this? :p

[Rawkinlocs]

Only animal protein will seep calcium from your bones hon.

Here is a list for you that includes other things besides veggies (I put an *asterick by each raw, non-veg item) - though you could really benefit from doing green smoothies...start off using a small amount of greens (like one kale leaf or a small handful of spinach or a leaf of romaine or green leaf lettuce) and LOTS of fruit and then as you get more used to it and your body gets cleaner, gradually build up to adding more greens!

================
For anyone concerned or curious about the amount of calcium they or their kids are getting...I found this list & found it interesting & helpful.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/grou...lk/message/1928

A 100-gram portion of human breast milk (3.5 ounces) contains
33 milligrams of calcium. Human adults need calcium too, but
human adults should not be drinking human breast milk. Let's
compare the amounts of calcium contained in adult foods to
the level of calcium in human breast milk:

Calcium content of foods (per 100-gram portion)
(100 grams equals around 3.5 ounces)

1. Human Breast Milk 33 mg
*2. Almonds 234 mg (your almond butter)
3. Amaranth 267 mg
*4. Apricots (dried) 67 mg
5. Artichokes 51 mg
6. Beans (can: pinto, black) 135 mg
7. Beet greens (cooked) 99 mg
8. Blackeye peas 55 mg
9. Bran 70 mg
10. Broccoli (raw) 48 mg
11. Brussel Sprouts 36 mg
12. Buckwheat 114 mg
13. Cabbage (raw) 49 mg
14. Carrot (raw) 37 mg
*15. Cashew nuts 38 mg
16. Cauliflower (cooked) 42 mg
17. Swiss Chard (raw) 88 mg
18. Chickpeas (garbanzos) 150 mg
19. Collards (raw leaves) 250 mg
20. Cress (raw) 81 mg
21. Dandelion greens 187 mg
22. Endive 81 mg
23. Escarole 81 mg
*24. Figs (dried) 126 mg
25. Filberts (Hazelnuts) 209 mg
26. Kale (raw leaves) 249 mg
27. Kale (cooked leaves) 187 mg
28. Leeks 52 mg
29. Lettuce (lt. green) 35 mg
30. Lettuce (dark green) 68 mg
31. Molasses (dark-213 cal.) 684 mg
32. Mustard Green (raw) 183 mg
33. Mustard Green (cooked) 138 mg
34. Okra (raw or cooked) 92 mg
35. Olives 61 mg
*36. Orange (Florida) 43 mg
37. Parsley 203 mg
38. Peanuts (roasted & salted) 74 mg
39. Peas (boiled) 56 mg
40. Pistachio nuts 131 mg
41. Potato Chips 40 mg
*42. Raisins 62 mg
43. Rhubarb (cooked) 78 mg
44. Sauerkraut 36 mg
*45. Sesame Seeds 1160 mg
46. Squash (Butternut 40 mg
47. Soybeans 60 mg
48. Sugar (Brown) 85 mg
49. Tofu 128 mg
50. Spinach (raw) 93 mg
51. Sunflower seeds 120 mg
52. Sweet Potatoes (baked) 40 mg
53. Turnips (cooked) 35 mg
54. Turnip Greens (raw) 246 mg
55. Turnip Greens (boiled) 184 mg
56. Water Cress 151 mg

Also, you can drink nut milks or sesame seed milk (sesame seeds are a great source of calcium) or shakes (add banana or strawberries or both to the nut/seed milk. I also like adding a tablespoon or two of sesame seeds to my smoothies (with or without the greens) and just blend well until the seeds are all blended in OR grind the seeds into powder with a coffee grinder and blend the powder into the smoothie.

For added flavor to your nut/seed milks or shakes, add a dash of celtic salt, a little vanilla and a little agave nectar (or blend a date or two into it). That makes them extra tasty if you don't like it just plain.

[jaurequi]

I suggest giving green smoothies a chance (or another chance if it was green smoothies you were unable to keep down). Start smaller with less if that's what you need to do; you will build up to bigger and badder smoothies ;)
The calcium in greens is great and very easily absorbed by your body.
Kale, collards have lots of calcium; but if those are too strong at first, try some milder greens (lettuces, vegetable tops).
I would advise not to take spinach in smoothies, for now, since the oxalate interferes with calcium absorption.
If worse comes to worse, try a supplement. Even a green supplement may be beneficial.

Best,

[Dancer]

That's a great list, Rawkinlocs!

Thanks for the information!

Dancer

[Rawkinlocs]

I would advise not to take spinach in smoothies, for now, since the oxalate interferes with calcium absorption.


I've read this...but they it was said that baby leaf spinach is good to use instead of mature spinach.

[skipfire92]

sorry if this belongs in the recipe section, you can move it, but its specifically directed at addressing kayla's question:

kayla--

After reading the list Rawkinlocs compiled, it made me think of what i made for dinner last night that had alot of these calcium-rich ingredients, so i just wanted to suggest it to you. i dont know if any of the other ingredients in it would interfere with calcium absorption though; i dont know much about that, someone else would have to ascertain that.... anyway, if by any chance you have a saladacco slicer, or a slicer that can cut things into noodles, i cut a big chunk of peeled butternut squash into noodles on the slicer, added some torn up kale, some sesame seeds, and then some olive oil and lemon juice (lime might taste better) and worked the oil into the kale to soften it a little. then i added dulse flakes, salt and pepper and a few pinenuts. anyway, just wanted to share because it had alot of those ingredients in it off of rawkinlocs list.

kaybee

[Lady Green Jeans]

jaurequi,

I did not know that raw spinach had the same calcium absorption issue as cooked. Not to doubt, but I was really looking forward to green smoothies using baby spinach. Is your info. source reliable?

Thank you.

[FloridaBahai]

Anyways, I finally told my mom I had quite an interest in raw foods and she was thrilled except that she is absolutely NOT ok with me not drinking milk......

Now, I know that almonds/almond butter has a lot of calcium in it, but I also know that it provides protein which I read seeps calcium from the bones :p

If memory serves me right, milk is about 29% animal protien and will leach calcium from your bones, as Rawkinlocs said. The plant protiens won't do that. Perhaps your mother would feel better knowing that you'll be getting better sources of protien and calcium on your diet.

Craig