Thursday, October 25, 2012

Calcium Rich Foods That You Should Consider

In the previous post, I mentioned about the possible problems associated with drinking cows milk as a source of calcium for growing taller. I hope you were able to read the article in full through the link provided.

In this post, I list down five healthy foods that are very rich in calcium, so that you have an alternative source other than cow's milk.

But before I enumerate them, I just want to emphasize on the importance of supplementing with calcium, not only for growing taller but for our overall health as well. Yes, calcium is needed by our bodies in order to build and maintain strong bones and teeth.

But did you know that calcium is also needed by our bodies for proper contraction of our muscles, as well as proper secretion of important hormones that enable us to function normally? Too little calcium in the diet not only leads to brittle bones and weak teeth, it also leads to muscle cramps, numbness especially in our fingers and toes, as well as heart problems like irregular heart beats.

Now one of the best and highest food sources of calcium are certain nuts and seeds. Among these, almonds and brazil nuts are the best. They're also very delicious and high in protein as well. Keep in mind that it's always best to eat them raw and unheated or unroasted, especially almonds. In this way, raw almonds are actually alkaline-producing one they are digested, and helps balance our body's overall pH level.

Among seeds, sesame and flax seeds are the best sources. They are both tiny and easily mix well with salads. What's more, flax seeds also supply Omega-3 Fatty Acids which are essential to our bodies. This is because we cannot produce Omega-3's on our own. This essential fatty acid is very beneficial for healthy skin and hair, as well as good heart and brain health too.

Alfalfa sprouts are also very high in not only in calcium, but in other vitamins and minerals as well such as Vitamin C, Iron and Phosphorus - another important mineral for proper bone growth. Alfalfa sprouts can be eaten on their own, or they make an excellent addition to any salad or sandwich and enhances the flavor of the food they're mixed with.

Lastly, all dark leafy green vegetables are also high in calcium content. They're also very healthy for us, especially when eaten raw which preserves all the essential enzymes in the vegetables. Examples of dark leafy greens are turnip greens, kale, collard greens, and spinach. Always remember to wash them thoroughly before eating them, just to be sure!

The great thing about these alternatives to cow's milk is that they can be mixed together with a little creativity. So there you have it, simple foods yet they pack a huge punch in calcium. Enjoy!

1 comment:

  1. wow!! Very well written post and informative..Thank you for sharing this to us. :)

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