Strong Bones Through Food

We all need to have calcium in our diets in order to maintain strong and healthy bones. Many of us are not drinking a glass of milk with dinner, or eating the yogurt we should at snack-time. Sometimes it doesn't matter that we know we should, we just eat the foods that taste good to us instead. It is possible to eat calcium-rich foods in ways that taste great.
According to the National Institute of Health, 8 ounces of 2% milk contains 30 percent of the recommended daily calcium intake. Although it may not be easy for you to find a time to drink a glass of milk, you can use those 8 ounces of milk to create a more palatable treat. Pudding is incredibly simple to make from scratch: all you need is milk, sugar, cornstarch, and flavoring. Instant pudding would have an equal amount of calcium, but not the same flavor. Everyone knows that chocolate milk goes down easier, so why not add a packet of Carnation Instant breakfast to make that one glass contain 55 percent of that day's calcium requirements? Homemade recipes for macaroni and cheese (not the instant box type) can have substantial amounts of cheese.
Some of the less popular sources of calcium have been judged unfairly. One-half cup cooked spinach can taste great while providing you with not only 12 percent of your daily calcium requirement, but also iron and fiber. An ounce and a half of mozzarella will give you another 28 percent. Put them together in some pizza dough (adding another couple percent of your required intake) with some tomato sauce and you have a delicious calzone providing nearly half of your daily required amount of calcium.
One cup of black beans will also provide approximately 12 percent of your daily requirement. Eating them plain might not sound so appetizing, but you can easily make a marvelous chili by adding just a few ingredients and cooking in a slow cooker. Or make a soup with black beans and spinach along with some other vegetable. You'd be surprised how much you like these foods once you try them.
Eight ounces of yogurt contains approximately 25 percent of your daily calcium requirements, making it a great snack or breakfast. There are many different flavors to choose from, so no matter your taste preferences yogurt has something to offer you. Unfortunately, frozen yogurt only provides 10 percent of your calcium needs, so it won't take center stage in this endeavor. Frozen yogurt does remain a great treat. Perhaps you could make it a way to reward yourself for the steps you are taking towards your bone health.
Although you can make excuses like that texture of yogurt makes you hesitant, you can always consider eating a handful of almonds alongside it. You could make a smoothie in the blender with yogurt and frozen or fresh fruit. If you continue to try new ways to incorporate calcium-rich foods into your diet you are bound to find methods that work for you. Eating well can taste good, too.