I'm sure this has been asked a billion times, but ...

[OrangeMoon]

I need info on getting enough calcium. I am breastfeeding my 22 month old, and pregnant, and I can't help but wonder if I am getting enough? I am like 95% vegan, no dairy, but I do eat wild caught salmon once in a while, and I take a fish oil supplement. How do I know if my DS getting enough calcium? I take a Rainbow Light Prenatal one a day vitamin every day, even when not pregnant, but the label has been ripped off so I don't know how much calcium is in that. 

I don't know, pregnancy is kind of throwing me for a loop a little bit in that I am worried that if I'm not getting enough of something, it's much more of a big deal right now. I have also started craving eggs and I don't know what to do. I am questioning all of my beliefs. I started out wanting to be 100% not using animals at all, and I don't buy leather or suede or anything like that but food wise I have kind of been thinking, I don't know, wild caught fish had a free life up until the end so maybe I feel more okay about that? And maybe I can find a small local farm where the chickens aren't killed and are actually treated well to get some eggs? I really don't believe in buying eggs from typical stores, even organic eggs from whole foods because I know the animals are still treated terribly, but I know someone who has her own chickens and treats them well and all that. She just uses them for eggs. Is eggs from someone like that in moderation really "wrong"? Ugh, kind of feeling like a failure or something, but I also know that all that I *am* doing, which is A LOT more than the average American, helps a lot too.

Am I going to get boo'd and kicked out of here? :-(

ETA: Just looked up that rainbow light does not have anywhere near enough calcium, so I guess I'll go shopping for a calcium supplement. Will that go through my milk to DS or does he need one too?

[kismetbaby]

I'm not a specialist here, so maybe someone else can add a more educated response, but IMO your DS is probably just fine.  Not only are our LOs getting lots of goodies from BM, but there needs are also a lot lower than ours. And if he eats anything fortified (like cereal, bread, juices) then he is getting extra Vits that way. I also felt like I needed to add a calcium supp after preg--btw the pg and the BFing I felt pretty depleted.  I spent a number of months debating whether to add fish to my diet, but came to the conclusion that I was not okay with that. I do eat eggs occasionally though.  Listen to your body and do some research. . .no one diet is right for everybody (IMO).

Also, dairy is really not an optimal source of calcium for humans.  I know they want us to believe it is, but even though veg sources have less calcium its more easily used by the body.  Greens are going to be your best bet!  I know I never eat enough, but I try.  Kale, bok choy, and  broccoli are some of the best sources. Also sesame and almonds. . .do you eat tahini, humus, or almond butter?  I'm sure a quick google search which point you towards a list of calcium rich veg foods.

[germin8]

Someone recommended Maxi Prenatal with some calcium.  Usually, calcium is too big of an element to fit in prenatals.

I've got the same info as kismetbaby.  Eat sesame seeds... preferably ground up.  They are high in calcium.  Molasses is also good for calcium.

Typically, cravings are a sign of a mineral deficiency.  Try drinking green smoothies for that.  Choose leafy greens rich in calcium.

As the OP mentioned, listen to your body... except when it says "feed me more donuts".  *lol*