Calcium quantities in every day food portions

Our skeleton is an astonishing piece of engineering. Comprised of 206 bones it supports our body, forms our shape and protects our brain, spinal cord and vulnerable organs.

You might be surprised to know that our skeleton begins to form as cartilage whilst you are in the womb - but within a few weeks of being born it starts to ossify – or harden. This takes a full twenty years to complete and requires deposits of calcium, phosphate and collagen which creates our extremely strong but lightweight bones

How much calcium do we need? 

It is the calcium which makes the bones hard and, since the body cannot create its own supply, it is vital that our diet includes it.  The amount of calcium that we need varies according to our age because our body becomes less efficient at absorbing it. The National Osteoporosis Society recommends the following:

0-12 months (non-breastfed only) - 525mg

1-3 years - 350mg

4-6 years - 450mg

7-10 years - 550mg

11-18 years – boys - 1000mg

11-18 years – girls - 800mg

Adults (19+) years - 700mg

Pregnant women - 700mg

Breastfeeding women - 1250mg

Women who are post menopause - 1200mg

Calcium quantities in everyday food portions

Fortunately many foodstuffs are naturally abundant in this mineral. Here are several sources of calcium listed in the way we buy them. It’s often tricky to work out what quantities actually look like isn’t it?

* Low fat versions of dairy products often have slightly more calcium content

** According to the British Dietetic Association the following contain oxalates and/or phytates which reduce the amount of calcium you can absorb from them:  dried fruits, spinach, beans, seeds, and nuts. This means you should not rely on them as your main calcium source.

The importance of Vitamin D

Don’t forget that an adequate Vitamin D intake is also required to ensure calcium is absorbed properly. Our main source is from sunlight on our skin so between April and September going out two or three times a week for about 15 minutes between 11am and 3pm should give us sufficient supplies.

Foods such as fish, eggs and fortified breakfast cereals are also rich in vitamin D but most of us need a Vitamin D supplement in the Autumn/Winter and all year round if

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding or
• Over 65 years of age or
• You have darker skin

I do hope this has been helpful.

Sources include: https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/Calcium.pdf 

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