Calcium is one of the most important minerals required for the growth and development of the human body. It significantly helps form and maintain healthy teeth and bones.
One of the most common childhood memories I am sure we all have is of our parents running after us with a glass of milk. They told us it was loaded with calcium. Well! Now we know they were right, we as kids definitely needed calcium!
Why Do We Need Calcium ?
• Calcium is a mineral vital for building strong bones and teeth. But its benefits are not limited to that.
• Calcium plays a role in making jaw bones healthy and strong to hold the teeth in place.
• Calcium can help improve your oral health by better fortifying teeth against the oral bacteria.
• Calcium also plays an important role in muscle contraction, transmitting messages through the nerves, and the release of hormones.
• Calcium also helps reduce obesity, prevent arthritis and Osteoporosis, and helps fight colon cancer as well.
If our children get enough calcium and participate in adequate physical activities from a young age, they’ll enter their adulthood with the strongest bones and teeth possible.
Simple Ways Of Adding Calcium To Your Child’s Daily Routine:
#1 Work Calcium into your diet –
Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and paneer are a good source of Calcium as are veggies like broccoli, beans and leafy vegetables. Almond milk is a rich source of calcium too. You will also get a decent amount of calcium from beans.
#2 Calcium fortified foods –
You can also look for foods that have been fortified with calcium. There are cereals, juices, soy and rice milk as well as breads that are calcium fortified, available in the market.
#3 Colgate Strong Teeth
Colgate has been a favourite in most Indian households for decades. But what we may not know about Colgate Strong Teeth is that it helps add natural calcium to teeth. Regular use makes our teeth strong and healthy from within.
This wonderful hamper was sent to us by Colgate
#4 Calcium supplements
Pregnant women and lactating mothers are often prescribed calcium supplements to meet the increased daily calcium needs. We must take these as advised by the doctor, to take care of our growing babies and of ourselves.
Upgrade your meal to make it calcium rich:
Here are simple ways you can work calcium into your child’s regular foods making it wholesome and complete :
#1 Add cheese to omelettes, dosas, pav bhaji or any other food item
#2 Use almond milk and soy milk for making porridges, smoothies, shakes and ice creams
#3 Make pizzas at home with parathas as base, layer it with pizza sauce and add lots of veggies and soy cheese as toppings
#4 Top Tortilla chips with baked beans and melted cheese
#5 Add broccoli, spinach and/or other vegetables to khichadi, dosas, idlis or soups
The best time to ensure that you and your family get enough Calcium is now!
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